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Animals
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Emerging Infectious Diseases of Wildlife: A Threat for Biodiversity and...
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Emerging Infectious Diseases of Wildlife: A Threat for Biodiversity and Global Health

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Wildlife".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 13243

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Carla Cacciotto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
Interests: microbiology; infectious diseases; immunology; biomarker discovery; vaccines; diagnostic tools
Dr. Elisabetta Coradduzza

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Sassari, Italy
Interests: Virology; infectious diseases; immunology; genetics
Dr. Alberto Alberti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
Interests: microbiology; infectious diseases; immunology; phylogenetics; wildlife

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite their impact on global health, knowledge regarding wildlife infectious diseases is still fragmentary and underestimated. Sanitary surveillance represents a key factor in the conservation and management of both wildlife and ecosystems; furthermore, identifying and monitoring wildlife infectious agents has important implications for human and domestic animals’ health. Indeed, the WHO estimates that 60–80% of human emerging infectious diseases have an animal origin, and 70% of them originate from wildlife. Notably, in the last century, spillovers of infectious agents from wildlife reservoirs increased mainly due to the interaction of wild animals with livestock and humans (e.g., due to urbanization, habitat encroachment, and human behaviors).

This Special Issue aims to provide innovative insights into the emerging infections of wild animals; we also consider their potential impact on global health. Manuscripts focusing on the epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases in wild animals, the identification and characterization of new microbial species in wildlife, pathogenic mechanisms, host immune response, and evaluations of the impact on global health, are welcomed.

Authors are encouraged to present original research, but high-quality reviews will also be considered.

Dr. Carla Cacciotto
Dr. Elisabetta Coradduzza
Dr. Alberto Alberti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

 

Keywords

  • emerging infectious disease
  • wildlife
  • One Health

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 3538 KiB  
Article
Surveillance of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in Wild Canids from Pennsylvania, USA
by Kevin D. Niedringhaus, Taylor C. Chan, Ashley McDowell, Lauren Maxwell, Madison Stevens, Lane Potts, Erica Miller, Eman Anis, Kyle Van Why, Thomas Keller, David Stallknecht, Rebecca L. Poulson, Kaitlyn Bahrs and Justin D. Brown
Animals 2024, 14(24), 3700; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243700 - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1478
Abstract
The avian influenza virus is a global pathogen with significant health and economic implications. While primarily a pathogen of wild and domestic birds, recent outbreaks of the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) clade 2.3.4.4b have caused mortality in a wide variety [...] Read more.
The avian influenza virus is a global pathogen with significant health and economic implications. While primarily a pathogen of wild and domestic birds, recent outbreaks of the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) clade 2.3.4.4b have caused mortality in a wide variety of mammals, including members of the Canidae family, on multiple continents. Despite sporadic mortality events globally, the epidemiology and pathobiology of H5N1 HPAIV in wild canids remains poorly defined. During 2022–2024, 41 wild canid carcasses (diagnostic cases), including 23 red foxes and 18 gray foxes, were tested for the influenza A virus (IAV) via PCR, with five red fox kits testing positive (12%). Infected animals had variably severe encephalitis, pneumonia, and occasionally myocarditis associated with strong immunolabeling for IAV. Serum from 269 wild canids in Pennsylvania was tested for antibodies to IAV, including 133 samples collected prior to 2021 (pre-H5N1 HPAIV 2.3.4.4b introduction) and 136 collected after 2022 (post-H5N1 HPAIV 2.3.4.4b introduction). All samples collected prior to 2021 were seronegative for IAV. Two coyotes from 2024 were seropositive for IAV but were negative for antibodies to the H5 and N1 subtypes. Collectively, these data suggest that while sporadic H5N1 HPAIV infection and mortality can occur in wild canids, particularly juvenile red foxes, infection was limited in these outwardly healthy and opportunistically sampled animals. Future studies should utilize a risk-based approach to target sampling of wild canids at increased risk for H5N1 HPAIV infection, such as those around waterfowl habitats or spatially around wild bird or domestic animal outbreaks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Infectious Diseases of Wildlife: A Threat for Biodiversity and Global Health)
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16 pages, 10249 KiB  
Article
Canine Distemper Virus in Sardinia, Italy: Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis in Foxes
by Elisabetta Coradduzza, Fiori Mariangela Stefania, Davide Pintus, Luca Ferretti, Alice Ledda, Gian Simone Chessa, Angela Maria Rocchigiani, Giada Lostia, Renata Rossi, Maria Giovanna Cancedda, Simona Macciocu, Marcella Cherchi, Daniele Denurra, Antonio Pintore, Roberto Bechere, Flavia Pudda, Marco Muzzeddu, Maria Antonietta Dettori, Angelo Ruiu, Paolo Briguglio, Ciriaco Ligios and Giantonella Puggioniadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Animals 2024, 14(21), 3134; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213134 - 31 Oct 2024
Viewed by 999
Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV) is the etiological agent of a highly prevalent viral infectious disease of carnivores, which could seriously lead to a threat to the conservation of the affected species worldwide [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Infectious Diseases of Wildlife: A Threat for Biodiversity and Global Health)
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17 pages, 4586 KiB  
Article
Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens: Occurrence and Host Associations over Four Years of Wildlife Surveillance in the Liguria Region (Northwest Italy)
by Lisa Guardone, Chiara Nogarol, Annalisa Accorsi, Nicoletta Vitale, Valeria Listorti, Sonia Scala, Sonia Brusadore, Ilaria Nina Miceli, Lara Wolfsgruber, Annalisa Guercio, Santina Di Bella, Francesca Grippi, Elisabetta Razzuoli and Maria Lucia Mandola
Animals 2024, 14(16), 2377; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14162377 - 16 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1719
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a considerable public health problem worldwide. The occurrence of Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia spp., and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEv) was investigated via PCR and sequencing in 683 ticks collected from 105 roe deer, 61 [...] Read more.
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a considerable public health problem worldwide. The occurrence of Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia spp., and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEv) was investigated via PCR and sequencing in 683 ticks collected from 105 roe deer, 61 wild boars, 49 fallow deer, and 2 chamois, in the Liguria region, northwest Italy, between 2019 and 2022. The ticks were morphologically identified. Four different tick species were found: Ixodes ricinus (66.8% of the collected ticks), Dermacentor marginatus (15.8%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.s. (15.7%), and Haemaphysalis punctata (0.9%). Six ticks (0.9%) were only identified as Rhipicephalus spp. Of the 222 pools analyzed, 27.9% were positive. Most pools (n = 58, 26.1% of pools analyzed) were positive for Rickettsia spp., and several species were found: Rickettsia slovaca was the dominant species (15.3%), followed by R. monacensis (8.1%), while R. helvetica (1.8%), R. massiliae (0.5%), and R. raoultii (0.5%) were found only sporadically. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was identified in three pools and B. burgdorferi s.l. in one pool. All samples were negative for C. burnetii and TBEv. Significant associations were found between I. ricinus and roe deer, D. marginatus and wild boar, and between R. monacensis and I. ricinus. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. differed significantly between tick and host species. This updated picture of tick species and TBPs in wild ungulates in Liguria, where the population of these animals is increasing, shows a widespread presence of potentially zoonotic Rickettsia spp. Continuous monitoring and public information on preventive measures are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Infectious Diseases of Wildlife: A Threat for Biodiversity and Global Health)
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15 pages, 8651 KiB  
Article
Molecular and Serological Surveillance for Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis in Wild Red Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from Scotland and Northern England
by Zijie Zhou, Anouk van Hooij, Gaby N. Wassenaar, Emma Seed, Els M. Verhard-Seymonsbergen, Paul L. A. M. Corstjens, Anna L. Meredith, Liam A. Wilson, Elspeth M. Milne, Katie M. Beckmann and Annemieke Geluk
Animals 2024, 14(13), 2005; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14132005 - 7 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1700
Abstract
Leprosy is a poverty-associated infectious disease in humans caused by Mycobacterium leprae or M. lepromatosis, often resulting in skin and peripheral nerve damage, which remains a significant public health concern in isolated areas of low- and middle-income countries. Previous studies reported leprosy [...] Read more.
Leprosy is a poverty-associated infectious disease in humans caused by Mycobacterium leprae or M. lepromatosis, often resulting in skin and peripheral nerve damage, which remains a significant public health concern in isolated areas of low- and middle-income countries. Previous studies reported leprosy in red squirrels in the British Isles, despite the fact that autochthonous human cases have been absent for centuries in this region. To investigate the extent of M. leprae and M. lepromatosis presence in wild red squirrels in the northern UK, we analyzed 220 blood/body cavity fluid samples from opportunistically sampled red squirrels (2004–2023) for specific antibodies against phenolic glycolipid-I, a cell wall component specific for these leprosy bacilli. Additionally, we assessed bacillus-derived DNA by real-time PCR (qPCR) in 250 pinnae from the same cohort. M. lepromatosis and M. leprae DNA were detected by qPCR in 20.4% and 0.8% of the squirrels, respectively. No cases of co-detection were observed. Detectable levels of anti-PGL-I antibodies by UCP-LFA were observed in 52.9% of animals with the presence of M. lepromatosis determined by qPCR, and overall in 15.5% of all animals. In total, 22.6% (n = 296) of this UK cohort had at least some exposure to leprosy bacilli. Our study shows that leprosy bacilli persist in red squirrels in the northern UK, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing molecular and serological monitoring to study leprosy ecology in red squirrels, gain insight into potential zoonotic transmission, and to determine whether the disease has a conservation impact on this endangered species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Infectious Diseases of Wildlife: A Threat for Biodiversity and Global Health)
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15 pages, 2418 KiB  
Article
Molecular Prevalence, Genetic Diversity, and Tissue Tropism of Bartonella Species in Small Mammals from Yunnan Province, China
by Pei-Yu Han, Fen-Hui Xu, Jia-Wei Tian, Jun-Ying Zhao, Ze Yang, Wei Kong, Bo Wang, Li-Jun Guo and Yun-Zhi Zhang
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1320; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091320 - 28 Apr 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1632
Abstract
Bartonella is an intracellular parasitic zoonotic pathogen that can infect animals and cause a variety of human diseases. This study investigates Bartonella prevalence in small mammals in Yunnan Province, China, focusing on tissue tropism. A total of 333 small mammals were sampled from [...] Read more.
Bartonella is an intracellular parasitic zoonotic pathogen that can infect animals and cause a variety of human diseases. This study investigates Bartonella prevalence in small mammals in Yunnan Province, China, focusing on tissue tropism. A total of 333 small mammals were sampled from thirteen species, three orders, four families, and four genera in Heqing and Gongshan Counties. Conventional PCR and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) were utilized for detection and quantification, followed by bioinformatic analysis of obtained DNA sequences. Results show a 31.5% detection rate, varying across species. Notably, Apodemus chevrieri, Eothenomys eleusis, Niviventer fulvescens, Rattus tanezumi, Episoriculus leucops, Anourosorex squamipes, and Ochotona Thibetana exhibited infection rates of 44.4%, 27.7%, 100.0%, 6.3%, 60.0%, 23.5%, and 22.2%, respectively. Genetic analysis identified thirty, ten, and five strains based on ssrA, rpoB, and gltA genes, with nucleotide identities ranging from 92.1% to 100.0%. Bartonella strains were assigned to B. grahamii, B. rochalimae, B. sendai, B. koshimizu, B. phoceensis, B. taylorii, and a new species identified in Episoriculus leucops (GS136). Analysis of the different tissues naturally infected by Bartonella species revealed varied copy numbers across different tissues, with the highest load in spleen tissue. These findings underscore Bartonella’s diverse species and host range in Yunnan Province, highlighting the presence of extensive tissue tropism in Bartonella species naturally infecting small mammalian tissues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Infectious Diseases of Wildlife: A Threat for Biodiversity and Global Health)
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9 pages, 535 KiB  
Communication
Seroconversion in Galapagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) Confirms the Presence of Canine Distemper Virus in Rookeries of San Cristóbal Island
by Julian Ruiz-Saenz, Veronica Barragan, Colón Jaime Grijalva-Rosero, Eduardo A. Diaz and Diego Páez-Rosas
Animals 2023, 13(23), 3657; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13233657 - 26 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2413
Abstract
Background: The emblematic Galapagos sea lion (GSL—Zalophus wollebaeki) has faced an important population decline over the last four decades. There are multiple environmental and biological factors that might be implied in this decrease. Recently, evidence of various zoonotic infectious diseases that [...] Read more.
Background: The emblematic Galapagos sea lion (GSL—Zalophus wollebaeki) has faced an important population decline over the last four decades. There are multiple environmental and biological factors that might be implied in this decrease. Recently, evidence of various zoonotic infectious diseases that can be potential threats has been reported. Considering that in some islands of the archipelago the risk of transmission of infectious diseases may be promoted by the increasing population of domestic dogs, epidemiological vigilance and search of new pathogens are essential. The canine distemper virus (CDV), one of the viral pathogens that generate the most concern for the agencies responsible for the management and conservation of the Galapagos pinnipeds, was detected in the GSL in 2010. However, there is scarce information about its impact on GSL health and about its epidemiology. Methods: In this study, 110 GSL serum samples were collected during the summer of 2016 and 2017. All samples were exposed to VERO dog SLAM cells expressing the canine SLAM receptor. Results: Our results showed a significative increase (p = 0.04) in the frequency of neutralizing antibodies to CDV in the 2017 (53.1%) samples compared to the 2016 samples (19.6%). Conclusions: Our work confirmed the continuous and increasing circulation of the CDV in the GSL and highlights the importance of monitoring emerging diseases that can be transmitted from domestic to wildlife species. Vigilance of CDV is essential to understand the role of this virus in GSL mortality and to take informed decisions for wildlife conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Infectious Diseases of Wildlife: A Threat for Biodiversity and Global Health)
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13 pages, 1376 KiB  
Article
Isolation and Molecular Characterisation of Respirovirus 3 in Wild Boar
by Enrica Sozzi, Davide Lelli, Ilaria Barbieri, Chiara Chiapponi, Ana Moreno, Tiziana Trogu, Giovanni Tosi and Antonio Lavazza
Animals 2023, 13(11), 1815; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111815 - 30 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1865
Abstract
Paramyxoviruses are important pathogens affecting various animals, including humans. In this study, we identified a paramyxovirus in 2004 (180608_2004), isolated from a sample of the femoral marrow bone of a wild boar carcass imported from Australia. Antigenic and morphological characteristics indicated that this [...] Read more.
Paramyxoviruses are important pathogens affecting various animals, including humans. In this study, we identified a paramyxovirus in 2004 (180608_2004), isolated from a sample of the femoral marrow bone of a wild boar carcass imported from Australia. Antigenic and morphological characteristics indicated that this virus was similar to members of the family Paramyxoviridae. The complete genome phylogenetic analysis grouped this virus into genotype A of bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV-3), recently renamed bovine respirovirus type 3 (BRV3), which also includes two swine paramyxoviruses (SPMV)—Texas-81 and ISU-92—isolated from encephalitic pigs in the United States in 1982 and 1992, respectively. The wild boar 180608_2004 strain was more closely related to both the BRV3 shipping fever (SF) strain and the SPMV Texas-81 strain at the nucleotide and amino acid levels than the SPMV ISU-92 strain. The high sequence identity to BRV3 suggested that this virus can be transferred from cattle to wild boars. The potential for cross-species transmission in the Respirovirus genus makes it essential for intensified genomic surveillance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Infectious Diseases of Wildlife: A Threat for Biodiversity and Global Health)
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