Bovine Tuberculosis in a Free-ranging Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from Montana

Descriptions of the anatomical distribution of Mycobacterium bovis gross lesions in large samples of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are lacking in the scientific literature. This report describes the distribution of gross lesions in the 58 white-tailed deer that cultured positive for M. bovis among the 19,500 submitted for tuberculosis testing in Michigan (USA) in 1999. For the vast majority (19,348) of those tested, only the head was submitted; for others, only extracranial tissues (33) or both the head and extracranial tissues (119) were available. Among those deer that cultured positive, cranial gross lesions were noted most frequently in the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes, although solitary, unilateral parotid lymph node lesions also were found. Extracranial lesions occurred most commonly in the thorax. The distribution of lesions largely agreed with the few existing case reports of the M. bovis in white-tailed deer, although gross lesions were also found in sites apparently not previously reported in this species (liver, spleen, rumen, mammary gland). Some practical issues that may assist future surveillance and public education efforts are also discussed.

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“…Cranial lymph node lesions of M. bovis have also been documented in a mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus; Rhyan et al, 1995).…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

Tuberculous Lesions in Free-Ranging White-Tailed Deer in Michigan

O’Brien

Fitzgerald

Lyon

et al. 2001

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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“…Prior to 1994, M bovis infection had been diagnosed sporadically in wild white-tailed or mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in North America. [2][3][4][5] In each of these reports, only 1 to 3 deer were affected. The Michigan outbreak represents the first known epidemic of M bovis in free-ranging white-tailed deer in North America.…”

Section: Public Veterinary Medicine: Public Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Naturally occurring tuberculosis in white-tailed deer

Palmer¹,

Whipple²,

Payeur³

et al. 2000

javma

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Objective—To determine the distribution of lesions and extent of tissues infected with Mycobacterium bovis in a captive population of white-tailed deer. Design—Cross-sectional study. Animals—116 captive white-tailed deer. Procedure—Deer were euthanatized, and postmortem examinations were performed. Tissues with gross lesions suggestive of tuberculosis were collected for microscopic analysis and bacteriologic culture. Tissues from the head, thorax, and abdomen of deer with no gross lesions were pooled for bacteriologic culture. Tonsillar, nasal, oral, and rectal swab specimens, fecal samples, and samples of hay and pelleted feed, soil around feeding sites, and water from 2 natural ponds were collected for bacteriologic culture. Results—Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from 14 of 116 (12%) deer; however, only 9 of 14 had lesions consistent with tuberculosis. Most commonly affected tissues included the medial retropharyngeal lymph node and lung. Five of 14 tuberculous deer had no gross lesions; however, M bovis was isolated from pooled tissue specimens from the heads of each of these deer. Bacteriologic culture of tonsillar swab specimens from 2 of the infected deer yielded M bovis. Mean (± SEM) age of tuberculous deer was 2.5 ± 0.3 years (range, 0.5 to 6 years). Mycobacterium bovis was not isolated from feed, soil, water, or fecal samples. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Examination of hunter-killed white-tailed deer for tuberculosis commonly includes only the lymph nodes of the head. Results of such examinations may underestimate disease prevalence by as much as 57%. Such discrepancy should be considered when estimating disease prevalence. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;216:1921–1924)

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“…This disease is endemic in cattle in the southeastern USA but the extent to which elk could serve as an important new reservoir or disseminator species for M. paratuberculosis is unknown. Pasteurella multocida can cause pneumonia in elk (Cowan, 1951;Murie, 1951;Franson and Smith, 1988;Smits, 1991Smits, , 1992Rhyan et al, 1997); however, the report of septicemic pasteurellosis due to serotype 3 in 48 elk in a large herd at the National Elk Refuge near Jackson (Wyoming; USA) (Franson and Smith, 1988) and on state feed grounds in Wyoming (E. S. Williams, pers. comm.)…”

Section: Low Risk Infectious Agents and Ectoparasitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Between 1991-1996, TB occurred in 31 herds of captive elk and deer in 15 states (VanTiem and Essey, 1996), and in additional herds in several Canadian provinces (Hillman and Thompson, 1996). In general, native cervids in the USA have remained free of TB; however, in 1993 TB was found in a mule deer collected on property adjacent to an infected game ranch in Montana (Rhyan et al, 1995). Furthermore, TB was discovered in a white-tailed deer population in Michigan (USA) in 1994 (Nettles and Petty, 1996;Schmitt et al, 1997).…”

Section: High Risk Infectious Agents and Ectoparasitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Protocol for Translocation of Free-Ranging Elk

Corn

Nettles

2001

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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When considering an elk (Cervus elaphus) restoration program, wildlife managers must evaluate the positive and negative elements of translocation. We prepared this protocol to give an overview of health considerations associated with translocation of elk, with an emphasis on movement of free-ranging elk from western North America to the southeastern USA. We evaluated infectious agents and ectoparasites reported in elk from two perspectives. First, we made a qualitative estimate of the ability of the agent to be introduced and to become established. This was done using a selected set of epidemiologic factors. Second, if there was a good possibility that the organism could become established in the release area, the potential pathological consequences for elk and other wildlife, domestic animals, and humans were assessed via examination of the literature and consultation with other animal health specialists. The results of these evaluations were used to classify infectious agents and ectoparasites as low risk (n ϭ 174), unknown risk (n ϭ 10), and high risk (n ϭ 9). We classified Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma ovis, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, Pasteurella multocida serotype 3, Elaphostrongylus cervi, Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Fascioloides magna, Echinococcus granulosus, Dermacentor albipictus, and Otobius megnini as unknown risks. High risk infectious agents and ectoparasites were the agent of chronic wasting disease, Brucella abortus, Mycobacterium bovis, Dermacentor andersoni, Ixodes pacificus, and Psoroptes sp. Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, Elaeophora schneideri, and a Babesia sp. are parasites endemic in the southeastern USA that may present a ''reverse risk'' and adversely affect elk if released in some parts of the region. We developed a five-component protocol to reduce the risk of introduction of high risk infectious agents and ectoparasites that included: (1) evaluation of the health status of source populations, (2) quarantines, (3) physical examination and diagnostic testing, (4) restrictions on translocation of animals from certain geographic areas or populations, and (5) prophylactic treatment.

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Bovine Tuberculosis in a Free-ranging Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from Montana

Cited by 30 publications

References 2 publications

Tuberculous Lesions in Free-Ranging White-Tailed Deer in Michigan

Tuberculous Lesions in Free-Ranging White-Tailed Deer in Michigan

Naturally occurring tuberculosis in white-tailed deer

Health Protocol for Translocation of Free-Ranging Elk

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