Serological survey for evidence of <i>Leptospira interrogans</i> in free‐living platypuses (<i>Ornithorhynchus anatinus</i>)

Loewenstein, L; McLachlan‐Troup, T. A.; Hartley, Matt; Aw, English

doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.2008.00305.x

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Domestic livestock, such as cattle, can be a major source of Leptospira spp. infections (Tomich et al 2007;Loewenstein et al 2008). In the Pantanal, cattle herds with 87.0% of the animals infected with Leptospira spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Prevalence of Leptospira interrogans antibodies in free-ranging Tayassu pecari of the Southern Pantanal, Brazil, an ecosystem where wildlife and cattle interact

Freitas

Keuroghlian

Eaton

et al. 2010

Trop Anim Health Prod

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We surveyed a wild population of white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) in the Brazilian Pantanal for evidence of Leptospira interrogans. Serum samples from 71 free-ranging T. pecari were obtained between 2003 and 2005 in the southern Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul state. We used microscopic microagglutination to test for antibodies against 14 L. interrogans serovars (antibody titers ≥ 1:100 were considered seropositive). Seventy percent of captured animals tested positive for leptospirosis antibodies. Antibodies against icterohaemorrhagiae and autumnalis serovars were the most prevalent. We used log-linear analyses to test for associations among seropositivity, age class, and sex of captured animals. Seropositivity was strongly associated with animal age class, but independent of sex. Forty-six percent of animals less than 2 years old, 63% of adults during peak reproductive years, and 100% of the oldest age class were seropositive. A nonparametric multivariate procedure (MRPP) showed that the composition of serovar antibody types changed with age, and ANOVA models demonstrated that antibody titers increased with age, suggesting long-term exposure to a greater number and variety (i.e., serovar types) of L. interrogans infections. This study presents the first quantitative survey of antibodies against L. interrogans serovars in a T. pecari population of the Pantanal. The high prevalence of leptospirosis antibodies in free-ranging white-lipped peccaries and the potential impacts on reproduction and population dynamics emphasize the need for further studies investigating the roles of Pantanal wildlife and livestock in the transmission and maintenance of L. interrogans in the environment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Prevalence of Leptospira interrogans antibodies in free-ranging Tayassu pecari of the Southern Pantanal, Brazil, an ecosystem where wildlife and cattle interact

Freitas

Keuroghlian

Eaton

et al. 2010

Trop Anim Health Prod

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“…An adenovirus-like virus causes a cytomegalic inclusion renal disease (Whittington et al 1990) and a putative papilloma virus causes webbing papules (Booth and Connolly 2008). Between 47% and 66% of platypuses in New South Wales and 10% in Tasmania had leptospirosis based on serology, while in Victoria, 25% of platypus necropsied showed suggestive nephritis histologically (McColl and Whittington 1985; Loewenstein et al 2008; Macgregor et al 2017b). The Ixodes ornithorhynchi tick is common and may cause a mild dermatitis but importantly, it can be a vector of the hemoparasites Theileria ornithorhynchi and Trypanosoma binneyi (Booth and Connolly 2008), with the former sometimes causing hemolytic anemia in immunocompromised platypuses (Kessell et al 2014).…”

Section: Threatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The platypus: evolutionary history, biology, and an uncertain future

Bino

Kingsford

Archer

et al. 2019

Journal of Mammalogy

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The platypus ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus ) is one of the world’s most evolutionarily distinct mammals, one of five extant species of egg-laying mammals, and the only living species within the family Ornithorhynchidae. Modern platypuses are endemic to eastern mainland Australia, Tasmania, and adjacent King Island, with a small introduced population on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, and are widely distributed in permanent river systems from tropical to alpine environments. Accumulating knowledge and technological advancements have provided insights into many aspects of its evolutionary history and biology but have also raised concern about significant knowledge gaps surrounding distribution, population sizes, and trends. The platypus’ distribution coincides with many of Australia’s major threatening processes, including highly regulated and disrupted rivers, intensive habitat destruction, and fragmentation, and they were extensively hunted for their fur until the early 20th century. Emerging evidence of local population declines and extinctions identifies that ecological thresholds have been crossed in some populations and, if threats are not addressed, the species will continue to decline. In 2016, the IUCN Red Listing for the platypus was elevated to “Near Threatened,” but the platypus remains unlisted on threatened species schedules of any Australian state, apart from South Australia, or nationally. In this synthesis, we review the evolutionary history, genetics, biology, and ecology of this extraordinary mammal and highlight prevailing threats. We also outline future research directions and challenges that need to be met to help conserve the species.

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“…comm.). Prevalences of antibody to Leptospira Hardjo of 47%, approximately 50%, and 66% have been reported in three studies of platypuses in mainland populations (McColl and Whittington 1985;Munday et al 1998;Loewenstein et al 2008). The two possible explanations for the low prevalence in our study are a low exposure to infection or a high mortality rate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Investigation Into Individual Health and Exposure to Infectious Agents of Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus Anatinus) in Two River Catchments in Northwest Tasmania

Macgregor

Holyoake

Munks

et al. 2017

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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Changes in the health of individuals within wildlife populations can be a cause or effect of population declines in wildlife species. Aspects of individual platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) health have been reported. However, holistic studies investigating potential synergistic effects of both pathogens and environmental factors are needed to expand understanding of platypus individual health. We collected baseline data on the health of platypuses in two Tasmanian river catchments (including evidence of the potentially fatal fungal disease mucormycosis) and on individual, demographic, and geographic patterns associated with health data results. We examined 130 wild platypuses from the Inglis River Catchment and 24 platypuses from the Seabrook Creek Catchment in northwest Tasmania between 29 August 2011 and 31 August 2013. More than 90% of captured platypuses were infected with ticks, Theileria spp., and trypanosomes. Evidence of exposure to other infections, including Salmonella spp., Leptospira spp., and intestinal parasites, was low (,10%). Three platypuses had single fungal granulomas in the webbing of a forefoot, but no evidence of mucormycosis was found in any of the study animals. Possible subclinical hepatopathies or cholangiohepatopathies were found in six platypuses. Exposure to infectious agents did not cluster geographically, demographically, or in individuals, and there was minimal evidence of morbidity resulting from infection. This study has provided important baseline data for monitoring the effects of threatening processes, including mucormycosis, on the health of infected populations.

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Serological survey for evidence of Leptospira interrogans in free‐living platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Cited by 10 publications

References 13 publications

Prevalence of Leptospira interrogans antibodies in free-ranging Tayassu pecari of the Southern Pantanal, Brazil, an ecosystem where wildlife and cattle interact

Prevalence of Leptospira interrogans antibodies in free-ranging Tayassu pecari of the Southern Pantanal, Brazil, an ecosystem where wildlife and cattle interact

The platypus: evolutionary history, biology, and an uncertain future

Investigation Into Individual Health and Exposure to Infectious Agents of Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus Anatinus) in Two River Catchments in Northwest Tasmania

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