Antibodies to Canine and Feline Viruses in Spotted Hyenas (Crocuta Crocuta) in the Masai Mara National Reserve

Abstract

Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) are abundant predators in the Serengeti ecosystem and interact with other species of wild carnivores and domestic animals in ways that could encourage disease transmission. Hyenas also have a unique hierarchical social system that might affect the flow of pathogens. Antibodies to canine distemper virus (CDV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline panleukopenia virus/canine parvovirus (FPLV/CPV), feline coronavirus/ feline infectious peritonitis virus (FECV/IPV), feline calicivirus (FCV), and feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV1) have been detected in other Serengeti predators, indicating that these viruses are present in the ecosystem. The purpose of this study was to determine whether spotted hyenas also had been infected with these viruses and to assess risk factors for infection. Serum samples were collected between 1993 and 2001 from 119 animals in a single clan for which behavioral data on social structure were available and from 121 hyenas ill several other clans. All animals resided in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Antibodies to CDV, FIV, FPLV/CPV, FECV/FIPV, FCV, and FHV1 were present in 47%, 3.5%, 81%, 36%, 72%, and 0.5% of study hyenas, respectively. Antibody prevalence was greater in adults for FIV and FECV/FIPV, and being a female of high social rank was a risk factor for FIV. Hyenas near human habitation appeared to be at lower risk to have CDV, FIV, and FECV/FIPV antibodies, whereas being near human habitation increased the risk for FPLV/CPV antibodies. Canine (distemper virus and FECV/FIPV antibody prevalence varied considerably over time, whereas FIV, FPLV/CPV, and FCV had a stable, apparently endemic temporal pattern. These results indicate that hyenas might play a role in the ecology of these viruses in the Serengeti ecosystem. The effect of these viruses on hyena health should be further investigated. The lower prevalence of CDV antibody-positive hyenas near human habitation suggests that reservoirs for CDV other than domestic dogs are present in the Serengeti ecosystem.

Going Wild: Lessons from Naturally Occurring T-Lymphotropic Lentiviruses

“…Interestingly, a similar geographic dispersal of seropositivity was noted for Asian versus African leopards (Panthera pardus), i.e., free-ranging African populations demonstrate seropositivity of Ͼ25%, whereas Asian-born animals are seronegative (286,376). Greater than 50% of Pallas (158,376), confirming the findings of an earlier serosurvey of a separate population (158). FIV-like pol sequences were amplified from hyena PBMC, confirming infection with an FIVrelated agent (158,376).…”

“…Greater than 50% of Pallas (158,376), confirming the findings of an earlier serosurvey of a separate population (158). FIV-like pol sequences were amplified from hyena PBMC, confirming infection with an FIVrelated agent (158,376). Serum antibodies have been detected in 8 of 17 striped hyenas (Hyeana hyeana); however, infection of these animals has not been confirmed by viral isolation or PCR amplification (376).…”

A Serosurvey of Viral Infections in Lions (Panthera leo), from Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

“…The following methods were used: virus neutralization test (VNT) to detect CDV, FCV, and FHV1 antibodies; both Western blot and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect FIV antibodies; ELISA to detect FeLV antigen; and hemagglutination inhibition/ 2-mercaptoethanol (HAI/2-ME) to detect FPV IgG antibodies (Harrison et al, 2004;Munson et al, 2004). Feline coronovirus (FCoV or FIPV) antibodies were determined by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Pullman, Washington, USA (Harrison et al, 2004;Munson et al, 2004).…”

Rabies, Canine Distemper, and Canine Parvovirus Exposure in Large Carnivore Communities from Two Zambian Ecosystems

“…Rabies and CDV have each been documented in a variety of African carnivore populations, including African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) (Gascoyne et al 1993, Kat et al 1996, Creel and Creel 2002, Van de Bildt et al 2002, Goller et al 2007), African lions (Panthera leo) (Bwangamoi et al 1990, Roelke-Parker et al 1996, Driciru et al 2006, Woodroffe, et al 2007), spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) (Harrison et al 2004), Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis) (Sillero-Zubiri et al 1996, Laurenson et al 1998, bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis) (Thomson and Meredith 1993), and jackals (C. adustus and C. mesomelas) (Bingham et al 1999). Canine parvovirus has not been studied as intensively, but has been implicated in high levels of pup mortality in wolves (C. lupus) ( Johnson et al 1994, Mech andGoyal 1995) and may have impacts on African wild dog recruitment in some areas (Creel et al 1997, Creel andCreel 1998).…”

“…Canine parvovirus has not been studied as intensively, but has been implicated in high levels of pup mortality in wolves (C. lupus) ( Johnson et al 1994, Mech andGoyal 1995) and may have impacts on African wild dog recruitment in some areas (Creel et al 1997, Creel andCreel 1998). Furthermore, Harrison et al (2004) reported a prevalence of CPV exposure of up to 100% in spotted hyenas for some areas.…”