Review on parasites of wild and captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): Diversity, disease and conservation impact

Abstract

The giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) is a rare species with a small global population size, and lives in the wild in only a few fragmented mountain ranges of Southwest China. Parasitic infections are among the important causes of death of giant pandas that hamper their group development. We reviewed the parasitic infections prevailing in giant pandas, and the parasitic diversity, diseases and their impact on conservation of this animal. A total of 35 parasitic species were documented in giant pandas, belonging to nematode (n = 6), trematode (n = 1), cestode (n = 2), protozoa (n = 9), and ectozoa (n = 17 (tick = 13, mite = 2, and flea = 2)). Among them, Baylisascaris schroederi had the highest prevalence and was the leading cause of death for giant pandas. Some parasites caused asymptomatic infections in giant pandas, and their health implications for the pandas remain unknown. As a whole, parasites are reported to be an important threat to the conservation of the giant pandas. Regular deworming and environmental disinfection appear to be effective ways to prevent captive giant pandas from parasitoses. In wild panda populations, parasitic control measures are suggested to include detailed examination of the ecology of the host-parasite assembly, with particular attention to density-dependent transmission. The parasitic pathogenesis and detection methods together with their biology, epidemiology, treatment, prevention and control need to be further studied for better protection of giant pandas from parasitoses.

Investigation of Parasitic Infection in Crocodile Lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) Using High-Throughput Sequencing

“…Although breeding enclosures are designed to provide proper physical conditions, captive animals inevitably experience chronic stress, which can lead to immunosuppression and disease [ 9 ]. Parasites can rapidly spread from one individual to multiple individuals under high-density captive conditions [ 41 , 42 ]. Additionally, compared to the captive crocodile lizards, the sample size was smaller in the wild crocodile lizards, and thus may be more likely to contain non-infected or slightly infected individuals, while missing the rarer heavily infected individuals [ 43 ].…”

Virome of Giant Panda-Infesting Ticks Reveals Novel Bunyaviruses and Other Viruses That Are Genetically Close to Those from Giant Pandas

“…Tick infestation occurs in companion animals, livestock, and humans, as well as in wildlife such as the flagship species, giant pandas ( 3 – 8 ). Indeed, the blood-sucking ticks are common ectoparasites infesting wild and captive giant panda populations ( 9 , 10 ). Their infestations can cause dermatitis, anemia, inflammation, exhaustion, and even death in giant pandas ( 7 , 9 ).…”

“…Indeed, the blood-sucking ticks are common ectoparasites infesting wild and captive giant panda populations ( 9 , 10 ). Their infestations can cause dermatitis, anemia, inflammation, exhaustion, and even death in giant pandas ( 7 , 9 ). The hard tick infestation in giant pandas was first recorded in 1985 ( 10 ).…”

“…Many more hard tick species have been reported to parasitize giant pandas since then, posing a continuing threat to their group development. The known records of ticks infesting giant pandas belonged to three genera of the family Ixodidae : Ixodes , Haemaphysalis , and Dermacentor ( 9 ).…”

The Panda-Derived Lactobacillus plantarum G201683 Alleviates the Inflammatory Response in DSS-Induced Panda Microbiota-Associated Mice

“…The intestinal tract of giant pandas is readily damaged by undigested bamboo fibers and parasitic infection. Even more regrettably, a large number of opportunistic pathogens from Enterobacteriaceae often cause secondary infections and lead to intestinal inflammation ( 3 , 4 ). While antibiotics are widely used to treat intestinal infections in the giant panda, recent studies have demonstrated widespread antibiotic resistance among fecal isolates of Escherichia coli ( E. coli ), a prominent member of the Enterobacteriacae family.…”