Habitat, wildlife, and one health:Arcanobacterium pyogenesin Maryland and Upper Eastern Shore white-tailed deer populations

Abstract

BackgroundUnderstanding the distribution of disease in wildlife is key to predicting the impact of emerging zoonotic one health concerns, especially for wildlife species with extensive human and livestock interfaces. The widespread distribution and complex interactions of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) with humans suggest deer population health and management may have implications beyond stewardship of the animals. The intracranial abscessation suppurative meningitis (IASM) disease complex in deer has been linked to Arcanobacterium pyogenes, an under-diagnosed and often misdiagnosed organism considered commensal in domestic livestock but associated with serious disease in numerous species, including humans.MethodsOur study used standard bacterial culture techniques to assess A. pyogenes prevalence among male deer sampled across six physiogeographic regions in Maryland and male and female deer in the Upper Eastern Shore under Traditional Deer Management (TDM) and Quality Deer Management (QDM), a management protocol that alters population demographics in favor of older male deer. Samples were collected from antler pedicles for males, the top of the head where pedicles would be if present for females, or the whole dorsal frontal area of the head for neonates. We collected nasal samples from all animals by swabbing the nasopharyngeal membranes. A gram stain and catalase test were conducted, and aerobic bacteria were identified to genus and species when possible. We evaluated the effect of region on whether deer carried A. pyogenes using Pearson's chi-square test with Yates’ continuity correction. For the white-tailed deer management study, we tested whether site, age class and sex predisposed animals to carrying A. pyogenes using binary logistic regression.ResultsA. pyogenes was detected on deer in three of the six regions studied, and was common in only one region, the Upper Eastern Shore. In the Upper Eastern Shore, 45% and 66% of antler and nasal swabs from deer were positive for A. pyogenes, respectively. On the Upper Eastern Shore, prevalence of A. pyogenes cultured from deer did not differ between management areas, and was abundant among both sexes and across all age classes. No A. pyogenes was cultured from a small sample of neonates.ConclusionOur study indicates A. pyogenes may be carried widely among white-tailed deer regardless of sex or age class, but we found no evidence the pathogen is acquired in utero. The distribution of A. pyogenes across regions and concentration in a region with low livestock levels suggests the potential for localized endemicity of the organism and the possibility that deer may serve as a maintenance reservoir for an emerging one health concern.

Epethelial Presence of Trueperella pyogenes Predicts Site-Level Presence of Cranial Abscess Disease in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

“…Although intracranial abscess disease is a natural mortality factor in white-tailed deer populations [ 2 , 3 , 5 ], few studies have assessed the prevalence of the purported etiological agent in a deer herd [ 5 , 10 ]. Our results show T .…”

“…Although the prevalence of T . pyogenes in localized areas as it relates to white-tailed deer has been inspected [ 5 , 10 ], much of its association with deer in relation to cranial abscessation remains unknown. We examined T .…”

EPIZOOTIOLOGY OF CRANIAL ABSCESS DISEASE IN WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) OF GEORGIA, USA

“…The apparent non-normality of the site effects is likely due to the variability in probability of disease being driven by those sites where positive observations were obtained. Although the prevalence of T. pyogenes may vary across sites (Turner et al 2013), this bacterium is a common member of the microflora of the mucosal membranes of livestock and other ruminants (Jost and Billington 2005). Future studies could investigate the commonality of T. pyogenes as a resident on the mucosal linings of white-tailed deer and its pathogenic potential if present.…”

“…Neither the route of T. pyogenes transmission nor the infective mechanism is fully understood, although it is generally assumed the bacterium can be spread environmentally and through contact with other animals (Jost and Billington 2005). Karns et al (2009) examined if T. pyogenes could be transmitted among deer through scent-marking trees during the breeding season; however, they were unable to culture T. pyogenes from marked trees in an area where 18 of 22 male deer harbored T. pyogenes on the forehead (Karns et al 2009;Turner et al 2013). Although no studies have examined landscape-related features in relation to T. pyogenes transmission or disease incidence in wildlife, research in cattle has suggested populations of T. pyogenes and similar suppurative opportunistic pathogens are influenced by bedding soil type (Zdanowicz et al 2004;Ericsson Unnerstad et al 2009).…”

Overview of Zoonotic Diseases in Turkey: The One Health Concept and Future Threats

“…The infection can be transmitted by close contact from animal to animal, from animals to humans, or even from human to human (36,196,197). A. pyogenes leads summer mastitis in cows with huge economic losses (197) and causes thoracic pyogranuloma formation in dogs (198), while causes endocarditis in man (196).…”