The occurrence and molecular identification of Thelazia spp. in European bison (Bison bonasus) in the Bieszczady Mountains

Filip-Hutsch, Katarzyna; Laskowski, Zdzisław; Myczka, Anna W.; Czopowicz, Michał; Moskwa, B.; Demiaszkiewicz, A.W.

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-27191-x

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…[ 9 ]. According to Filip-Hutsch et al [ 6 ], cattle may play a role in the transmission of Thelazia nematodes to free-living European bison. Individuals of genus Musca can fly over a distance of several kilometers [ 64 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This rapid growth in population size has been achieved through conservation efforts, but it results in high population densities within residential areas (usually forest complexes), which can lead to easier transmission of pathogens among individuals [ 5 ]. In the past, transmission of tuberculosis and currently thelaziasis led to a significant reduction in the number of wisents in southeastern Poland [ 6 , 7 ]. Thelaziasis is an eye disease of wild and domestic animals that eventually results in blindness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, eyeworm infestations by the spirurid nematodes Thelazia gulosa and T . skrjabini , are frequently diagnosed in cattle, whereas their distribution to cervids is very limited [ 6 , 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Contact between European bison and cattle from the cattle breeders’ perspective, in the light of the risk of pathogen transmission

et al. 2023

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Pathogens transmitted between wildlife and domestic animals can pose a threat to endangered species, undermine conservation efforts in wildlife, and affect productivity and parasite control in domestic animals. There are several examples of pathogen transmission between European bison and other animals. The present study surveyed breeders from the vicinity of four large wisent populations in eastern Poland about observed contacts between wisent and cattle. Such contacts were noted by 37% of breeders, indicating a significant risk of contact between European bison and cattle in the study areas, even in the areas where the European bison live mainly in a forest complex, i.e., in the Borecka Forest. A higher potential risk of contacts between European bison and cattle was noted in the Białowieska Forest and the Bieszczady Mountains than in the Borecka and Knyszyńska Forests. In the Białowieska Forest, the risk of viral pathogen transmission resulting from contacts is higher (more direct contacts), and in the case of the Bieszczady Mountains, the probability of parasitic diseases is higher. The chance of contacts between European bison and cattle depended on the distance of cattle pastures from human settlements. Moreover, such contact was possible throughout the year, not only in spring and fall. It appears possible to minimize the risk of contacts between wisent and cattle by changing management practices for both species, such as keeping grazing areas as close as possible to settlements, and reducing the time cattle graze on pastures. However, the risk of contact is much greater if European bison populations are large and are dispersed beyond forest complexes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Contact between European bison and cattle from the cattle breeders’ perspective, in the light of the risk of pathogen transmission

et al. 2023

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Diversity of Thelazia spp. in domestic cattle from Romania: epidemiology and molecular diagnosis by a novel multiplex PCR

Cotuțiu,

Ionică,

Dan

et al. 2023

Parasites Vectors

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Background Thelaziosis is a neglected vector-borne disease caused by parasitic nematode worms of the genus Thelazia which affects various hosts. Limited attention has been given to ungulate-associated Thelazia species. Current diagnosis of thelaziosis and the identification/differentiation of species heavily relies on morphological features. Therefore, we conducted an epidemiological study in Romanian cattle, with the aim to obtain morphological and molecular data that can be used for species identification. Methods The eyes of 705 slaughtered cattle were sampled and subjected to morphological identification, morphometric analysis, and molecular characterization. PCR amplification and sequence analysis were performed based on the cytochromec oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene. Statistical tests assessed the correlations between infection parameters and ecological or biogeographical factors. A novel PCR method was developed based on the consensus sequence from each species. Specific forward primers were designed for each of the three species, and a reverse primer (COIintR) was used for all reactions. A consensus thermal profile was established by gradient PCR amplification of each species separately. Results Of the sampled cattle, 19.3% were infected with Thelazia spp. Prevalence varied significantly with ecogeographical factors. A total of 585 Thelazia nematodes were recovered, with T. rhodesi being the most abundant, followed by T. skrjabini and T. gulosa. Morphometric and molecular analyses supported the morphological identification, yielding unique sequences for each species. From the 59 T. rhodesi specimens sequenced, 29 unique sequences were obtained, with a 99.1–99.85% nucleotide identity to the only other COI sequence present in GenBank®. All nine T. gulosa isolates were unique (99.37–100% nucleotide identity to other sequences), while T. skrjabini specimens displayed 98.47–100% nucleotide identity to the sole available sequence. Conclusions Bovine thelaziosis is prevalent in Romania, raising concerns for animal welfare and potential economic impacts. Infected cattle grazing alongside vulnerable wild ruminants, such as the European bison, may affect conservation efforts. Our newly developed multiplex PCR shows promise as a valuable surveillance tool, enabling the detection of occult infections in apparently healthy animals through lachrymal secretion testing. Graphical Abstract

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Learn the Past and Present to Teach the Future—Role of Active Surveillance of Exposure to Endemic and Emerging Viruses in the Approach of European Bison Health Protection

Larska

Tomana²,

Socha

et al. 2023

Diversity

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As the population size of free-living European bison in Poland has increased significantly over the last few years, conservation and management should be reconsidered to face new challenges, which aim to protect the whole population, not just individuals. The aim of our study was to analyse prevalence and identify risk factors for infections with viruses affecting reproduction (BVDV, BoHV-1, and BoHV-4), causing respiratory diseases (BRV3, BAdV-3, and BRSV), and emerging vector-borne viruses (BTV and SBV). Over 600 serum samples used in serology and 270 lung tissue samples, and 284 nasal swabs used in virological tests were collected from 24 free-living and captive European bison herds between 2016 and 2023. The seroprevalences varied between low (0.3–6.1% for BVDV, BoHV-1, and BoHV-4), medium (15.9% for BRSV and 22.1% for BTV) and high (43.3% for BRV3, 59.5% for BAdV-3, and 69.5% for SBV). Interspecies’ and intraspecies’ risk of endemic viral infections was observed to be density-dependent, while the effect of anthropogenic factors on the spread of infections in free-living European bison has not been demonstrated. BTV is no longer circulating, while SBV has become endemic. The higher exposure to viruses in the European bison eliminated on the basis of a veterinary decision indicates the importance of an expert supervision for disease control and prevention.

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The occurrence and molecular identification of Thelazia spp. in European bison (Bison bonasus) in the Bieszczady Mountains

Cited by 3 publications

References 28 publications

Contact between European bison and cattle from the cattle breeders’ perspective, in the light of the risk of pathogen transmission

Contact between European bison and cattle from the cattle breeders’ perspective, in the light of the risk of pathogen transmission

Diversity of Thelazia spp. in domestic cattle from Romania: epidemiology and molecular diagnosis by a novel multiplex PCR

Learn the Past and Present to Teach the Future—Role of Active Surveillance of Exposure to Endemic and Emerging Viruses in the Approach of European Bison Health Protection

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