Spatiotemporal monitoring of selected pathogens in Iberian ibex ( Capra pyrenaica )

Abstract

An epidemiological surveillance programme was carried out to assess exposure and spatiotemporal patterns of selected pathogens (Brucella spp., Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), Mycoplasma agalactiae, Pestivirus and bluetongue virus (BTV)) in Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) from Andalusia (southern Spain), the region with the largest population of this species. A total of 602 animals in five distribution areas were sampled during 2010–2012 (P1) and 2013–2015 (P2). The Rose Bengal test (RBT) and complement fixation test (CFT) were used in parallel to detect anti‐Brucella spp. antibodies. Commercial ELISAs were used to test for antibodies against the other selected pathogens. Sera positive for BTV and Pestivirus by ELISA were tested by serum neutralization test (SNT) to identify circulating serotypes/genotypes. The overall seroprevalences were as follows: 0.4% for Brucella spp. (2/549; CI 95%: 0.1–1.3) (14/555 positive by RBT; 2/564 by CFT), 0.5% for MAP (3/564; CI 95%: 0.1–1.5), 5.7% for M. agalactiae (30/529; CI 95%: 3.9–8.0), 11.1% for Pestivirus (58/525; CI 95%: 8.5–14.1) and 3.3% for BTV (18/538; CI 95%: 2.0–5.2). Significantly higher seropositivity to both M. agalactiae and BTV was observed in P1 compared with P2. Spatiotemporal clusters of high seroprevalence were also found for M. agalactiae in four of the five sampling areas in 2010, and for BTV in one of five areas in 2012. Specific antibodies against BTV‐4, BDV‐4 and BVDV‐1 were confirmed by SNT. Our results indicate that the Iberian ibex may be considered spillover hosts of Brucella spp. and MAP rather than true reservoirs. The prevalence of antibodies against M. agalactiae and BTV suggests spatiotemporal variation in the circulation of these pathogens, while Pestivirus has a moderately endemic circulation in Iberian ibex populations. Our study highlights the importance of long‐term surveillance for a better understanding of the spatiotemporal distribution of shared infectious diseases and providing valuable information to improve control measures at the wildlife–livestock interface.

Monitoring of bluetongue virus in zoo animals in Spain, 2007–2019

“…It should be noted that this virus is endemic in southwestern Spain, where the endangered Iberian lynx ( Lynx pardinus ) is mainly distributed (MITECO, 2020). Taking into account that BTV circulation has been detected in free‐ranging wild ungulates in this area (García‐Bocanegra et al., 2011; Gómez‐Guillamón et al., 2020b) and that these may be prey species for free‐ranging Iberian lynxes (Delibes, 1980), further studies are warranted to assess the susceptibility to BTV exposure of this threatened species.…”

Re‐emergence of bluetongue virus serotype 4 in Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) and sympatric livestock in Spain, 2018–2019

“…Its conservation is threatened however by natural and anthropogenic factors including loss of genetic diversity, imbalances in age structure and sex ratio, the progressive destruction and fragmentation of its natural habitat, uncontrolled hunting and disease (Acevedo & Cassinello, 2009). The Iberian ibex has shown to be susceptible to different infectious and contagious diseases (Acevedo & Cassinello, 2009; Gómez‐Guillamón et al., 2020). While Sarcoptes scabiei , the aetiological agent of sarcoptic mange, is the most important pathogen in terms of its impact on population dynamics (León‐Vizcaíno et al., 1999), outbreaks of infectious keratoconjunctivitis and caseous lymphadenitis have also been reported in this species (Fernández‐Aguilar et al., 2017; Varela‐Castro et al., 2017).…”

“…Its conservation is threatened however by natural and anthropogenic factors including loss of genetic diversity, imbalances in age structure and sex ratio, the progressive destruction and fragmentation of its natural habitat, uncontrolled hunting and disease (Acevedo & Cassinello, 2009). The Iberian ibex has shown to be susceptible to different infectious and contagious diseases (Acevedo & Cassinello, 2009;Gómez-Guillamón et al, 2020).…”

Diseases of Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica)

“…Despite being included in the targeted health surveillance of Iberian ibex (Gobierno de España et al 2009 , 2022 ), a single clinical case with isolation of B. melitensis biovar 1 (Muñoz et al 2010 ) has been reported, and the seroprevalences detected in this species range from 0 to 2.6% depending on the diagnostic test used. This suggests that Iberian ibex is not a reservoir for brucellosis but a spillover accidental host (Antón et al 1999 ; León-Vizcaíno et al 2008a ; Muñoz et al 2010 ; Astorga-Márquez et al 2014 ; Junta de Andalucía 2015 ; Calero-Bernal et al 2020 ; Gómez-Guillamón et al 2020 ) (Table 2 ). Nevertheless, the isolation of B. melitensis in the closely related Alpine ibex ( Capra ibex ) was first reported almost 25 years ago (Ferroglio et al 1998 ), and this species has been described as the first wild ungulate species maintaining and possibly acting as a reservoir for brucellosis in the last decade, causing serious concern because of spillback to domestic cattle (Hars et al 2013 , 2015 ; Rossi et al 2019 ).…”