Search Results (118)

Canine morbillivirus (CDV), the cause of canine distemper, is a pathogen affecting many hosts. While modified live virus (MLV) vaccines are crucial for controlling the disease in dogs, cases of vaccine-related infections have been found in both domestic and wild animals. Specifically, the America-1 and Rockborn-like vaccine genotypes are concerning due to their spread and ability to transmit between different species. This study conducted a review and analysis of molecular detections of these strains in various carnivores (domestic, captive, synanthropic, and wild species). This study used a conceptual model considering host ecology and the domestic–wild interface to evaluate plausible transmission connections over time using Linear Directional Mean (LDM) and Weighted Mean Centre (WMC) methods. Statistical analyses examined the relationship between how likely a strain is to spread and factors like host type and vaccination status. The findings showed that the America-1 genotype spread in a more organised way, with domestic dogs being the main source and recipient, bridging different environments. Synanthropic mesocarnivores also played this same role, with less intensity. America-1 was most concentrated in the North Atlantic and Western Europe. In contrast, the Rockborn-like strain showed a more unpredictable and restricted spread, residual circulation from past use rather than ongoing spread. Species involved in vaccine-related infections often share characteristics like generalist behaviour, social living, and a preference for areas where domestic animals and wildlife interact. We did not find a general link between a host vaccination status and the likelihood of the strain spreading. The study emphasised the ongoing risk of vaccine-derived strains moving from domestic and synanthropic animals to vulnerable wild species, supporting the need for improved vaccination approaches. Mapping these plausible transmission routes can serve as a basis for targeted surveillance, not only of vaccine-derived strains, but of any other circulating genotype. Full article

Globally, millions of wild birds are admitted to rehabilitation centres each year. We analysed data on wild bird admissions at an urban rehabilitation centre in Berlin, Germany, collected over 20 years (2005–2024), aiming to (a) characterise admission causes and demographics, (b) investigate the rehabilitation duration and release probability across admission causes and systematic bird groups, and (c) assess post-release survival as a proxy for rehabilitation success. Longer rehabilitation durations were generally associated with orphaned birds and those in poor condition or who had had an infection. Orphans and birds with undetermined admission causes were most likely to be released. Birds that were admitted in poor condition were least likely to be released, which was particularly the case among Passerines. The monitoring of post-release survival through ring recovery data revealed higher recovery rates for larger birds but no informative value on post-release survival across species; thus, it did not represent an ideal measure of rehabilitation success in terms of the original objective. We conclude that the extent, outcome, and success of wild bird rehabilitation may depend on the initial cause of admission and may differ between bird groups. Advanced measures to assess post-release survival should be considered to allocate the limited resources and the conservation efforts of wild bird rehabilitation centres to birds of species and/or admission causes best suited to undergoing rehabilitation. Full article

The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), a critically endangered subspecies endemic to the Arabian Peninsula, faces severe threats from habitat loss, prey depletion, and inbreeding, with fewer than 200 individuals remaining. Genomic resources for this subspecies have been scarce, limiting insights into its evolutionary history and conservation needs. Here, we present the first complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence of P. pardus nimr, derived from a wild-born male sampled at the Oman Wildlife Breeding Centre in 2023. Using PacBio HiFi sequencing, we assembled a 16,781 bp mitogenome (GenBank: PQ283265) comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a control region, with a GC content of 40.94%. Phylogenetic analysis, incorporating 17 Panthera mtDNA sequences, positions P. pardus nimr closest to African leopard populations from South Africa (Panthera pardus), while distinguishing it from Asian subspecies (P. pardus japonensis and P. pardus orientalis). This mitogenome reveals conserved vertebrate mitochondrial structure and provides a critical tool for studying Panthera genus evolution. Moreover, it enhances conservation genetics efforts for P. pardus nimr by enabling population structure analysis and informing breeding strategies to strengthen its survival. Full article

The subcellular partitioning of trace elements (TEs) may depend on their binding preferences, although few field data are available from mining-impacted areas. Northern pike and lake whitefish were collected from different aquatic systems located in the Yellowknife mining area (Northwest Territories, Canada) to examine the subcellular partitioning of TEs in liver cells. Elements belonging to metal classes based on binding affinities were considered: A (Ce, La), borderline (As, Pb), and class B (Ag, Cd). Measurements in the metal-detoxified fractions (granule-like structures and heat-stable proteins and peptides) and in the putative metal-sensitive fractions (heat-denatured proteins, mitochondria and microsomes, and lysosomes) revealed marked differences among metal classes. In both fish species, Cd and Ag accumulated more as detoxified forms (higher than 50%, likely bound to metallothionein-like proteins) than La and Ce (not more than 20%). The two borderline TEs (As and Pb) showed an intermediate behavior between classes A and B. Similar proportions were found in the “sensitive” subcellular fractions for all TEs, where quantitative ion character-activity relationships (QICARs) indicated the covalent index and electronegativity as predictors of the TE contribution in this compartment. This study supports the use of classes of metals to predict the toxicological risk of data-poor metals in mining areas. Full article

We analyse data from a rescue database collected at the Innsbruck Alpenzoo (Tyrol, Austria). The sample covers 33 years (1988–2020), and more than 5250 wild birds from 145 species originating from Innsbruck and the surrounding Inn Valley, one of the most densely populated areas in Europe. Both, the total number of birds as well as the number of bird species yearly admitted have increased since 1988. Orphaned nestlings and victims of glass collisions were the most common reasons for admission and responsible for the increase. Species’ susceptibility to accidental causes increased with regional abundance and degree of urbanisation. More urbanised species are characterised by a high proportion of nestlings and juveniles in the sample. The seasonal patterns of deliveries in these species show a peak in the late breeding season, and young birds are particularly susceptible to glass collisions and cat attacks. The species list also includes regionally rare wetland, upland and forest breeders and foreign migrants. Such species show a high proportion of admissions in autumn and collisions with windows play a greater role for short-distance migrants. Our data also suggest that small birds (<15 g body mass) are more likely to collide with glass panes than larger species. In conclusion, our data suggest that basically all bird groups and species are at least occasionally affected by human structures and activities in urbanised landscapes but support the notion that juveniles and migrants are more prone for accidents due to the lack of experience with anthropogenic structures in new areas. Full article

Marine mammals may be particularly vulnerable to climate change. While some climate-change-induced impacts on these species have been recognised, the potential consequences of storminess have been less well-defined, and understanding of its significance largely relies on anecdotal evidence. To quantify the relationship between storminess and its possible impacts on grey seal pups (Halichoerus grypus), data from marine wildlife rescue databases and hospitalisation records (2015–2024) within the British Isles were examined (n = 20,686). Daily mean windspeed was used as a proxy for storminess. Significant relationships were found between storminess and pups presenting with malnourishment, head trauma, flipper injury, other wounds, and infections. This study provides the first empirical evidence of the explicit impacts of storminess on seal pup health, with all the presenting conditions increasing and higher rates of call-outs and pup admissions to rescue centres following stormy weather also recorded. Given the predicted increase in storm severity, these findings will aid rescue and rehabilitation planning by helping to predict when rescuers can anticipate increased admissions and the potential injuries that pups may experience following storms. The potential significance to the long-term conservation of the species is also highlighted. Full article

One of the main threats for the survival of the Iberian lynx is infectious disease. Feline parvoviruses cause often fatal diseases in cats and have been isolated from different species of Felidae and other carnivores. The present study is the first description of a parvoviral sequence isolated from the brain of an Iberian lynx which died four weeks after being transferred to a quarantine centre from a hunting estate in Castilla-La-Mancha (southern border of the Iberian plateau). Four days prior to death, it had developed anorexia and muscle weakness. The nucleotide sequence, at 4589 nt long (GenBank PP781551), was most proximal to that isolated from a Eurasian badger in Italy but also showed great homology with others from cats and other carnivores isolated in Spain and Italy, including that from a cat sequenced by us to elucidate the origin of the infection, which has not been clarified. The phylogenetic analysis of the capsid protein, VP2, which determines tropism and host range, confirmed that the lynx sequence was most proximal to feline than to canine parvoviruses, and was thus typed as Protoparvovirus carnivoran1. More studies, including serology, are needed to understand the pathogenesis of this infection. Full article

Microalgae form the basis of marine food webs, essential in sustaining top predators including seabirds. However, certain species of microalgae synthesize biotoxins, which can accumulate in shellfish and fish and may cause harm to marine animals feeding on them. Toxins produced by dinoflagellates have been previously observed to be poisonous to seabirds. Also, in freshwater and brackish habitats, cyanobacteria have caused bird mortality events. In this work, we analyze the prevalence of six families of biotoxins (paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), microcystins (MCs), anatoxins, amnesic shellfish toxins (ASTs), cylindrospermopsin, and tetrodotoxins (TTXs)) in 340 samples from 193 wild birds admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre in south Portugal. Furthermore, we consider the clinical picture and signs of 17 birds that presented quantifiable levels of biotoxins in their tissues. The relationship between toxin burdens and the symptomatology observed, as well as possible biotoxin sources, are discussed. Based on previously published research data, we conclude that, in these birds, the biotoxins are unlikely to be the only cause of death but might contribute to some extent to a reduction in birds’ fitness. Full article

Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres emerged with the purpose of recovering individuals, as a tool for environmental education and monitoring the balance of ecosystems. The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is one of the many species that are admitted to rehabilitation centres all around the world, due to traumatic amputations. This work presents the development of 3D-printed orthopedic prostheses aimed at partially restoring biomechanical function and enabling the reintegration of amputated birds into their natural habitat. Conducted at the Green Balkans Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Center in Bulgaria, three prosthetic prototypes were created using epoxy resin, polylactic acid (PLA), and polyamide, based on detailed anatomical measurements. The process involved 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD), biomechanical analysis, and performance evaluation, focusing on locomotion, feeding, and flight. Results showed improved prosthetic efficacy, with birds adapting within 1–5 days, resuming normal behaviours, and regaining flight. Of the 12 birds analyzed, 3 were released into the wild, with 1 tracked via GPS, marking the first documented case of an amputated bird with a prosthesis monitored post-release, covering over 470 km in 15 days. This study highlights the potential of 3D printing in conservation medicine, offering alternatives to euthanasia and open new perspectives in the global context of biodiversity preservation. Full article

Birds are natural hosts for numerous zoonotic viral pathogens, including West Nile virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. During migration, birds can act as vectors for the geographic spread of viruses. WNV is endemic in Portugal, causing annual outbreaks, particularly in horses. Here, we report the first detection of an avian WNV strain isolated from a wild bird (Astur gentilis) collected in Portugal in mid-September 2024. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses were conducted to trace the virus’s origin and potential transmission routes, integrating the obtained full-length genomic sequence with a dataset of WNV strains from Africa and Europe (1951–2024). Phylogenetic analysis of 92 WNV sequences spanning lineages 1–5 positioned the 2024 isolate within lineage 1a. Results obtained using phylodynamics-based analysis showed that this isolate likely originated in Africa and reached Portugal via Spain’s Cádiz coast, confirming previously described WNV dispersal patterns between Africa and Europe. The data suggest a migratory route from West Africa to Europe, extending through countries such as Senegal, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and France, indicating a reciprocal flow of the virus back into Africa. These transmission routes match the migratory paths of Afro-Palearctic bird species, emphasizing the role of migratory birds in the long-distance spread of WNV. Full article

The Bagaza virus (BAGV) belongs to the genus Orthoflavivirus (Ntaya serocomplex) and emerged in Europe, Spain, in 2010. The natural transmission cycle of this virus is perpetuated by Culex spp. mosquitoes and viraemic birds. The ability of BAGV to cause infection in several game birds from the family Phasianidae has been well-studied. BAGV is antigenically similar to other orthoflaviviruses from the Japanese encephalitis serocomplex, such as the West Nile and Usutu viruses, a circumstance which can lead to cross-reactivity in less specific serological techniques (e.g., ELISA). Severe implications in animal health has already been described, but some aspects of the dynamics of transmission and the limits of zoonotic potential of BAGV still need to be clarified. Further investigation focused on epidemiological surveillance in high-risk areas would be beneficial for prevention and control of new outbreaks. The present study is a systematic review of the BAGV reports in Europe. Full article

Wild birds may be involved in the transmission of agents of infectious diseases, including zoonoses, a circumstance which raises a number of public and animal health issues. Migratory bird species play a significant role in the introduction of tick-borne pathogens to new geographic areas, contributing to the dissemination of various etiological agents. This preliminary study aimed to assess the occurrence of four potentially zoonotic pathogens (Hepatozoon spp., Borrelia spp., Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) in the wild birds of Portugal. Blood and tissue samples were taken from 103 birds admitted at wildlife rehabilitation centers. Through the use of conventional PCR, our findings indicate no evidence of the circulation of these pathogens among the studied bird populations in the region. In the One Health context, it is relevant to understand how faraway avian populations play a role in the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Further molecular studies are needed to deepen the knowledge of avian piroplasmosis, borreliosis and hepatozoonosis. Full article

Coxiella burnetii is a highly infectious zoonotic pathogenic bacterium that has a major economic impact in the livestock industry throughout the world and causes unpredictable outbreaks in humans worldwide. Although it is known that birds are potential reservoirs of C. burnetii, their role in the epidemiological cycle of the pathogen has not been fully verified. Due to its non-specific symptoms and clinical signs, it is certainly an underdiagnosed disease. The objective of this study was to obtain more information on C. burnetii prevalence in wild birds in Portugal. Blood, plasma, and other tissue samples were obtained from wild birds admitted at wildlife rehabilitation centres in Portugal in the scope of passive surveillance. Antibodies specific to C. burnetii were screened using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Evidence of C. burnetii infection was sought based on the detection of bacterial DNA. No positive results were found, either in terms of antibodies to C. burnetii or molecular biology. These serological findings do not indicate the endemic circulation of C. burnetii in wild birds, which can be considered relevant information. However, a more complete and serialized approach over time is necessary to be able to make real inferences about the endemicity of the pathogen in the country and its dispersion among wild avian populations. qPCR results were also negative, a finding suggesting that this host population may not play a significant role in the transmission dynamics of C. burnetii. Given the importance of wild bird species as natural reservoirs of this zoonotic bacterium, we consider these data useful for multidisciplinary work in the prevention and control of Q fever, following a One Health approach. Full article

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epizootics have caused repeated mass mortality events among wild birds. The effect of the infection is potentially detrimental for a variety of bird species, including the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). The numbers of wintering and breeding Peregrine Falcons in the Netherlands have recently declined. We investigated the changes in population trends in relation to HPAI H5 virus outbreaks. For this purpose, we analyzed variations in annual numbers of wintering and breeding birds, the virology of reported dead birds, and the presence of the HPAI H5 virus in unhatched eggs. We showed that significant mortalities of Peregrine Falcons had occurred in 2016–2017 and 2020–2023, years of major HPAI H5 virus outbreaks. In particular, the highest rates of bird mortality and HPAI virus infection were reported in 2023. In this year, over 80% (28/32) of the tested birds were positive for HPAI H5 virus. No HPAI H5 virus was present in the eggs. Based on these findings, we concluded that HPAI represents a serious threat to the Peregrine Falcon population in the Netherlands, and, in combination with anthropogenic factors, may contribute to the decline of this species. Targeted HPAI surveillance and disease mitigation measures are necessary for the conservation of this species. Full article

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led the medical and scientific community to explore the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of coronaviruses. In felines, a widespread coronavirus known as feline coronavirus (FCoV) can lead to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a highly fatal disease characterised by severe systemic inflammation. Diagnosing FCoV remains challenging due to the limited accuracy of the available methods. The present study introduces the FIP Effusion Index, a novel diagnostic method that combines the albumin-to-globulin (ALB/GLOB) ratio with the delta total nucleated cell (∆TNC) count obtained via flow cytometry using the Sysmex XN-1000V^® analyser in effusions. Samples from cats (n = 50) with suspected FIP were analysed for ∆TNC, with findings showing that a ∆TNC ≥ 2.1 is highly indicative of FIP and a ∆TNC ≥ 4.9 can be considered diagnostic. The FIP Effusion Index enhanced diagnostic precision in our group of samples, achieving 96.3% sensitivity and 95.7% specificity for values ≥ 5.06, and reaching perfect specificity (100%) with 96.3% sensitivity for values ≥ 7.54. This combined approach surpasses the accuracy of individual parameters, establishing the FIP Effusion Index as a superior diagnostic tool for FIP, with potential applications in both veterinary and human medicine for related coronavirus diseases. Full article