A survey of free-ranging deer in Ireland for serological evidence of exposure to bovine viral diarrhoea virus, bovine herpes virus-1, bluetongue virus and Schmallenberg virus

Abstract

BackgroundDeer are an important wildlife species in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland having colonised most regions across the island of Ireland. In comparison to cattle and sheep which represent the main farmed ruminant species on the island, there is a lack of data concerning their exposure, as measured by the presence of antibodies, to important viral pathogens of ruminants. A study was therefore undertaken to investigate the seroprevalence of wild deer to four viruses, namely bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1), Schmallenberg virus (SBV) and bluetongue virus (BTV).ResultsTwo panels of sera were assembled; Panel 1 comprised 259 samples (202 collected in the Republic of Ireland and 57 in Northern Ireland) between 2013 and 2015, while Panel 2 comprised 131 samples collected in the Republic of Ireland between 2014 and 2015. Overall sika deer (Cervus nippon) were sampled most commonly (54.8%), followed by fallow deer (Dama dama) (35.3%), with red deer (Cervus elaphus) (4.3%) and hybrid species (0.3%) sampled less frequently, with the species not being recorded for the remaining 5.3% of deer sampled. Age was not recorded for 96 of the 390 deer sampled. 196 of the remainder were adults, while 68 and 30 were yearlings and calves, respectively. Using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, true prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were calculated as 9.9%, (6.8-13.0% CI), SBV; 1.5% (0.1-3.0% CI), BoHV-1; 0.0%, 0-1.7% CI), BVDV; and 0.0%, (0.01-0.10% CI), BTV.ConclusionsThe results indicate a very low seroprevalence for both BVDV and BoHV-1 in the wild deer tested within the study and, are consistent with a very low prevalence in Ireland. While serological cross-reaction with cervid herpesviruses cannot be excluded, the results in both cases suggest that the presence of these viruses in deer is not a significant risk to their control and eradication from the cattle population. This is important given the ongoing programme to eradicate BVDV in Ireland and deliberations on a national eradication programme for BoHV-1. The SBV results show consistency with those reported from cattle and sheep on the island of Ireland, while the BTV results are consistent with this virus remaining exotic to Ireland. The results provide a baseline against which future surveys of either wild or farmed/captive deer populations can be compared.

Comparison Between the Fecal Bacterial Microbiota of Healthy and Diarrheic Captive Musk Deer

“…In addition, the occurrence of diarrhea may also have a viral cause, such as Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). It has been reported that BVDV does not possess strict host-specificity and infections of over 50 species in the mammalian ( Passler et al, 2016 ; Graham et al, 2017 ). But the 16S-rRNA gene sequencing can’t detect viruses.…”

A Multi-Pathogen Screening of Captive Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Germany Based on Serological and Molecular Assays

“…An eradication campaign against BVDV (Pestivirus A and B) has been enforced in Germany since 2011 and it is considered to be in the final stage of eradication (60). However, screenings for BVDV antibodies in wild ruminants in Europe reported the incidental spillover of the virus from cattle to cervids (28,61). The detection of antibodies against pestivirus in reindeer in this study (4.2%) indicates the exposure to a virus from this genus in the captive reindeer in Germany.…”

“…Serological screenings have demonstrated the presence of antibodies against SBV in a variety of wild ruminants in Europe (28). However, serological screening of 187 wild (2010-2013) and 450 semi-domesticated reindeer (2013-2015) in Norway, and 635 semi-domesticated reindeer in Finland, all R. t. tarandus, revealed no antibodies against SBV (30) and, to our knowledge, there are no reports on SBV in reindeer.…”

“…The virus is transmitted by arthropod vectors, of which biting midges (Culicoides spp.) are considered the most important (28). In domestic ruminants, the virus may cause mummified fetuses, premature birth, and congenital malformations (27)(28)(29).…”

“…are considered the most important (28). In domestic ruminants, the virus may cause mummified fetuses, premature birth, and congenital malformations (27)(28)(29). No reports exist on SBV in reindeer, or in any other host species in regions inhabited by wild or semi-domesticated reindeer (30).…”