SURVEY OF MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM SUBSPECIES PARATUBERCULOSIS IN ROAD-KILLED WILD CARNIVORES IN PORTUGAL

Figueira

et al. 2018

J Hellenic Vet Med Soc

ABSTRACT.A retrospective serologic survey was conducted for antibodies against MAC in a random sample of 623 free-ranging wild mammals killed on roads and by hunters, or found dead in east-central Portugal. Animals were tested for antibodies to Results of the present study indicate that antibodies against MAC were present in wild carnivores and wild boars in Iberian Peninsula. According to the test sensitivity and specificity claimed by the manufacturer, the true prevalence Mycobacterium avium complex infection among wild mammals in the Iberian Peninsula was calculated to be between 10.7% and 13.6%.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Mycobacterium avium Complex in Wild Mammals in the Iberian Peninsula

Figueira

et al. 2018

J Hellenic Vet Med Soc

“…Roadkill samples have provided the first evidence of the zoonotic disease M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis in a diverse range of wild carnivores in Portugal (Matos et al 2014). Given sufficient and widespread samples, not only can wildlife roadkill be used as sentinels of zoonotic pathogens, but also they can shine light on their spatial distribution.…”

Section: Roadkill As Sentinels: Contaminants and Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

The value of monitoring wildlife roadkill

2020

The number of wildlife-vehicle collisions has an obvious value in estimating the direct effects of roads on wildlife, i.e. mortality due to vehicle collisions. Given the nature of the data-species identification and location-there is, however, much wider ecological knowledge that can be gained by monitoring wildlife roadkill. Here, we review the added value and opportunities provided by these data, through a series of case studies where such data have been instrumental in contributing to the advancement of knowledge in species distributions, population dynamics, and animal behaviour, as well as informing us about health of the species and of the environment. We propose that consistently, systematically, and extensively monitoring roadkill facilitates five critical areas of ecological study: (1) monitoring of roadkill numbers, (2) monitoring of population trends, (3) mapping of native and invasive species distributions, (4) animal behaviour, and (5) monitoring of contaminants and disease. The collection of such data also offers a valuable opportunity for members of the public to be directly involved in scientific data collection and research (citizen science). Through continuing to monitor wildlife roadkill, we can expand our knowledge across a wide range of ecological research areas, as well as facilitating investigations that aim to reduce both the direct and indirect effects of roads on wildlife populations.

“…Studies involving wildlife are restricted due to difficulties in capturing and obtaining samples from these animals. Thus, using samples from wildlife road kills is an alternative to elucidate the epidemiology of diseases of public health importance, including pathogenic fungi …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular detection of fungi of public health importance in wild animals from Southern Brazil

Losnak

Rocha

Almeida

et al. 2018

Mycoses

Some animals have an important relationship with fungal infections, and searching for pathogens in animal samples may be an opportunity for eco-epidemiological research. Since studies involving wildlife are generally restricted, using samples from road kills is an alternative. The aim of this study was to verify whether pathogenic fungi of public health importance occur in wildlife road kills from Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Organ samples (n = 1063) from 297 animals were analysed according to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using universal primers to detect fungi in general and, subsequently, using primers specific to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Histoplasma capsulatum and Cryptococcus spp. There were 102 samples positive for fungal species. Eight samples were positive for P. brasiliensis, three samples were positive for Cryptococcus spp. and one sample had coinfection by these two fungi. No sample was positive for Histoplasma spp. according to the molecular detection. Genetic sequencing allowed the identification of Fungal sp. in 89 samples, Cryptococcus neoformans in two samples and Aspergillus penicillioides in three samples. This study shows the importance of wild animals in the epidemiology of fungal infections and assists in the mapping of pathogen occurrence in a region that was not previously evaluated.