Journal Of Wildlife Diseases[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Detection of Rickettsia hoogstraalii and Rickettsia lusitaniae in Argas (Persicargas) ricei Ticks Infesting California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus).
Gonzalez J, Auckland L, Neumann SA … +5 more , Punzalan A, Kennedy J, Barnes J, Davis-Powell J, Hamer SA
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Jun · PMID 42082198 · Publisher ↗
The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is the largest North American land bird and an endangered species. In September 2024, the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge reported a heavy soft tick infestation on th...
The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is the largest North American land bird and an endangered species. In September 2024, the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge reported a heavy soft tick infestation on three juvenile condors that were to be released to the wild. One was transported to Los Angeles Zoo for treatment because it showed clinical signs associated with tick paralysis, a neurotoxin-mediated paralytic syndrome. The others had slight weight loss and extensive scabbing in the areas that had previous tick burdens. Eight ticks found on perches in the flight pen were identified as Argas (Persicargas) ricei. Pathogen testing of those ticks found four positives for Rickettsia hoogstraalii, a species previously detected in raptors and their soft ticks in the southwestern USA. One tick was positive for Rickettsia lusitaniae, associated with soft ticks in bats worldwide and closely related to Rickettsia felis and R. hoogstraalii. No ticks were positive for Borrelia spp. Blood meal analysis confirmed that the California Condor was the associated host for a subset of tested ticks. All condors improved clinically with ectoparasite treatment and supportive care. These findings suggest a clear interaction between A. ricei ticks and condors. Managers should consider the checking and removal of ticks from temporary bird housing and prophylactic or event-based treatments of translocated birds; further, Rickettsia species could be considered in future wildlife health investigations.
Occurrence of Trichomonas gallinae in the European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) along its Western Migratory Route.
Garreta-Celemín CL, Cabezón O, Ribas MP … +13 more , Bota G, Moreno-Zarate L, Arroyo B, Lorente-Rejano J, Pérez B, Santisteban-Ortiz C, Escandell R, Fernández-Tizón M, Hanane S, Puche S, Ichen A, Marco I, Espunyes J
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Jun · PMID 42082192 · Publisher ↗
Trichomonas gallinae is a globally distributed parasite, commonly infecting columbiform species, with the potential to limit population growth. Concerns have arisen regarding its impact across Europe on the declining Eur...
Trichomonas gallinae is a globally distributed parasite, commonly infecting columbiform species, with the potential to limit population growth. Concerns have arisen regarding its impact across Europe on the declining European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) population over the last two decades. This study evaluated the prevalence of T. gallinae in European Turtle Doves in various areas of the southern portion of their western flyway, spanning Spain and Morocco, to understand its potential impact on the species' population dynamics. We sampled 121 doves from May to August 2023, with 55.4% testing positive for T. gallinae through PCR analysis. Prevalence varied regionally, with the highest rates observed in Rehamna province, Morocco (73.1%) and the lowest in Catalonia, Spain (37.5%). Despite high infection rates, no clinical signs of trichomoniasis were detected, suggesting a subclinical nature of the infection and consistent with previous findings in wild birds. These results highlight the potential role of the western migratory route in the transmission and geographical dispersion of T. gallinae and suggest that the parasite's presence in European Turtle Dove populations warrants further investigation. The study emphasizes the need for continued monitoring and research into the effects of T. gallinae on breeding success and population health, particularly considering the significant decline in European Turtle Dove populations.
Piloting Noninvasive Pathogen Assessment and Perceptions at the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)-Domestic Animal-Human Interface in Nepal.
Lewis N, Raut R, Chaudhary A … +9 more , Manandhar P, Shrestha S, Rajbhandari R, Nepali S, Sadaula A, Lama PT, Shrestha B, Janecka JE, Karmacharya D
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Jun · PMID 42082189 · Publisher ↗
Little is known about pathogens circulating in free-living snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and their implications for both species conservation and local communities in Nepal. The close proximity between snow leopards and...
Little is known about pathogens circulating in free-living snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and their implications for both species conservation and local communities in Nepal. The close proximity between snow leopards and domestic animals increases the risk of pathogen spillover and represents a critical knowledge gap that has yet to be explored in Nepal. We conducted a pilot noninvasive health assessment of snow leopards in Nepal by screening for the presence of selected pathogens in snow leopards and livestock inhabiting the same area and having local community members complete a knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire focused on the health of domestic species and opinions on snow leopards. We collected two different sets of fecal samples of domestic animals and putative snow leopards in the Mustang region of Nepal in December 2024. Six scat samples were confirmed to be from snow leopards by using a species-specific PCR. We detected Leptospira spp. in a domesticated horse sample and Escherichia coli and several intestinal parasites, including Eimeria spp., in several livestock species. This study represents a step toward understanding potential pathogen spillover risks between snow leopards, domestic animals, and humans.
Helminth Fauna of Wild Boars (Sus scrofa): A Coprological Survey from Southern Italy.
Castaldo E, Buono F, Scarcelli S … +9 more , D'Alessio N, Fioretti A, Toscano V, Veronesi F, Sangiovanni C, De Carlo E, Salant H, Sgroi G, Veneziano V
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Jun · PMID 42082184 · Publisher ↗
Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations have increased worldwide, causing sanitary and environmental concerns. These ungulates can harbor a wide range of pathogens that should be carefully monitored due to the zoonotic potent...
Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations have increased worldwide, causing sanitary and environmental concerns. These ungulates can harbor a wide range of pathogens that should be carefully monitored due to the zoonotic potential and risk of transmission to domestic pigs. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and distribution of helminth infections among wild boars in southern Italy and to explore associated risk factors for infections. A total of 369 wild boars were culled during one hunting season in four hunting districts in the Campania region, and individual fecal egg counts were performed by Mini-FLOTAC technique. Gastrointestinal strongyles (GIS) were the most common parasites detected (65.9%), followed by Metastrongylus spp. (48.8%), Ascaris suum (9.2%), Strongyloides ransomi and Trichuris suis (4.6% each), Capillaria (syn. Eucoleus) spp. (4.3%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (1.6%), and Physocephalus sexalatus and Ascarops strongylina (0.5% each). Statistically significant differences (P<0.05) were found for GIS, Metastrongylus spp., and A. suum infections by boar hunting district, and for GIS and Metastrongylus spp. by age class. These results confirm wild boar competence to host diverse helminth species and their potential role as a reservoir for domestic pigs, primarily when bred in extensive production systems. The parasitologic monitoring of wild boars is a key step toward a deeper understanding of the relationship between wild and domestic pigs, safeguarding the health of farm animals.
Surveillance of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola in Snakes, Primarily Eastern Wormsnakes (Carphophis amoenus), in Central Virginia, USA, Based on Swab and Tissue Sampling.
Goodman RM, Mahaffy RP, Carman HR … +2 more , Cabrera NS, Blanvillain G
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Jun · PMID 41991169 · Publisher ↗
Ophidiomycosis, or snake fungal disease, caused by the pathogen Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, poses a growing threat to wild snake populations in North America. We surveyed snake populations in central Virginia, USA in 2021-...
Ophidiomycosis, or snake fungal disease, caused by the pathogen Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, poses a growing threat to wild snake populations in North America. We surveyed snake populations in central Virginia, USA in 2021-22; no clinical signs of ophidiomycosis had been observed in a survey in 2013-14. Across 82 individuals representing seven species, 16% tested O. ophidiicola-positive, including 17% of eastern wormsnakes (Carphophis amoenus), the most frequently encountered species. All O. ophidiicola-positive snakes exhibited skin lesions or abnormalities at the time of capture; no subclinical individuals tested positive. Among eastern wormsnakes, O. ophidiicola-positive individuals were significantly larger in mass and length but did not differ in body condition compared to O. ophidiicola-negative individuals, suggesting age-related infection accumulation. Swabs preserved in RNAlater, swabs preserved in sterile water, and tissue samples from tail tips yielded O. ophidiicola-positive rates of 9%, 5%, and 7%, respectively. The number of O. ophidiicola-positive snakes was too small to formally test for differences between sampling techniques; however, this study supports the use of both swab samples and tissues. We tentatively suggest emergence of O. ophidiicola in our study site sometime between 2014 and 2021, or environmental changes during this period that altered pathogen load and/or host immune status. Our results provide the most extensive dataset to date on O. ophidiicola prevalence in C. amoenus and underscore the need for continued monitoring in fossorial species.
Prevalence of Leprosy-Causing Bacteria in Mexican Long-Nosed Armadillos (Dasypus mexicanus) in Alabama, USA.
Sciandra OF, Anderson WM, Zohdy S … +1 more , Dunning KH
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41962936 · Publisher ↗
Previous studies have examined prevalence of leprosy-causing bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis, in rural Mexican long-nosed armadillo (Dasypus mexicanus) populations of the southeastern USA. H...
Previous studies have examined prevalence of leprosy-causing bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis, in rural Mexican long-nosed armadillo (Dasypus mexicanus) populations of the southeastern USA. However, few prevalence studies have been conducted in Alabama nor in urbanized, human-dominated areas where potential zoonotic transmission may be a public health concern. This study evaluated the prevalence of leprosy-causing bacteria in armadillos from rural, suburban, and urban zones in Lee and Mobile County, Alabama, USA. This study detected the first evidence of M. leprae-infection in a wild juvenile armadillo, from an individual sampled in a suburban zone of Mobile County, indicating potential vertical or environmental transmission. Additionally, 15/83 adult armadillos were infected in the Mobile County population, giving a total population prevalence of 16/93 (17%). Of the adults, more females were infected with M. leprae (11/36), especially lactating females, compared to males (4/47), despite more adult males being sampled overall. In Lee County, 64 adults were sampled and only one, a male, was M. leprae-positive, resulting in a total population prevalence of 1/94 (1%). The significantly lower occurrence than in Mobile County may be a result of environmental conditions, as the counties predominantly exist in two different ecoregions, the Piedmont and Southeastern Plains. Therefore, this study presents findings that may support an ecological-constraints hypothesis, previously applied to the northward expansion of M. leprae. Although no significant difference in prevalence was observed among the residential zones in this study, future research should investigate the prevalence of leprosy-causing bacteria in armadillos across different ecoregions and land use types to elucidate transmission dynamics and zoonotic risk, and inform public health strategies and wildlife management efforts in the southeastern USA.
Establishment of Reference Intervals for Serum Amyloid A and Haptoglobin in Free-Ranging Barren-Ground Caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti), and Herd Health Implications.
Rovani-Rhoades ER, McConnel CS, Beckmen KB … +2 more , Cray C, Dreese LM
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41962933 · Publisher ↗
Barren-ground caribou of the subspecies Rangifer tarandus granti are distributed throughout Alaska, USA, and the Yukon, Canada. The acute phase response is an innate immune response activated due to inflammatory stimulus...
Barren-ground caribou of the subspecies Rangifer tarandus granti are distributed throughout Alaska, USA, and the Yukon, Canada. The acute phase response is an innate immune response activated due to inflammatory stimulus, resulting in changing levels of acute phase proteins, including haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA). Haptoglobin and SAA are used as indicators of inflammation in domestic species, with several studies demonstrating their use in wildlife. In this study, banked serum samples from apparently clinically normal free-ranging barren-ground caribou (reference group) were used to establish reference intervals (RI) for Hp and SAA in caribou. These RIs were compared with additional samples from a declining herd with ongoing Brucella suis biovar 4 transmission. The RIs for Hp and SAA with 90% upper confidence intervals were 0.12-1.03 (0.08-1.27) mg/mL and 0.10-18.44 (0.10-31.00) mg/L, respectively. The SAA levels in the declining herd were found to be significantly elevated from the reference group (P=0.009), whereas no difference was found in Hp levels between the two herds (P=0.389). Meanwhile, SAA and Hp levels in animals with B. suis biovar 4 titers ≥1:80 were significantly elevated from the reference group (SAA P<0.001; Hp P=0.178). The results of our study indicate that SAA and Hp hold promise in monitoring the overall herd health of caribou in Alaska.
Invasive Rodents as a Source of Astroviruses in Réunion Harriers (Circus maillardi).
Lebarbenchon C, Ferret P, Chiron D … +2 more , Toty C, Augiron S
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41962930 · Publisher ↗
Astroviruses (AstVs) are RNA viruses infecting a wide range of vertebrates, with increasing evidence of cross-species transmission. We investigated the presence of AstVs in the Réunion Harrier (Circus maillardi), a criti...
Astroviruses (AstVs) are RNA viruses infecting a wide range of vertebrates, with increasing evidence of cross-species transmission. We investigated the presence of AstVs in the Réunion Harrier (Circus maillardi), a critically endangered raptor endemic to Réunion Island. Cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 133 individuals sampled between 2015 and 2024. Reverse transcription and seminested conventional PCR was used to detect the AstV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene. In total, 5.3±3.8% of birds tested positive, with no significant association with age, sex, or sampling method. All positive samples were obtained from wild-caught individuals except one detected from a bird at the care center. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all sequences were genetically related to rodent-associated AstVs previously detected on Réunion Island and in Madagascar, and they did not cluster with avian lineages. These findings are consistent with previous results in the endemic Réunion free-tailed bat (Mormopterus francoismoutoui). For Réunion Harriers, they further suggest recurrent exposure to nonnative rodent-associated viruses through predation. The pathogenic potential of such viruses in wildlife remains unknown, but it could be amplified in insular species lacking prior exposure or coevolutionary history. Our results support the need to better integrate wildlife disease surveillance into island conservation strategies.
Novel Herpesvirus in a Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia: Charadriidae, Charadriiformes) in Piauí State, Northeastern Brazil.
Catenacci LS, da Silva RB, Cunha MIS … +13 more , Lobato OL, Sacristán C, Deem SL, Nogueira TDS, Baêta SAF, de S Silva SMM, da Rocha AS, Benvenuto AD, Ewbank AC, Zamana RR, Waquim EC, Guzzi A, Catão-Dias JL
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41962928 · Publisher ↗
Molecular investigation of the occurrence of herpesviruses in 228 wild birds in Piauí, northeastern Brazil, identified a herpesvirus in a migratory Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia). Genetic analysis supported its cl...
Molecular investigation of the occurrence of herpesviruses in 228 wild birds in Piauí, northeastern Brazil, identified a herpesvirus in a migratory Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia). Genetic analysis supported its classification as a new strain, tentatively named Charadrius alphaherpesvirus 1, within the genus Mardivirus, broadening the herpesvirus host range in Charadriiformes.
Pathology and Tissue Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Clade 2.3.4.4b in Free-Ranging Mountain Lions (Puma concolor) and Bobcats (Lynx rufus) from Colorado, USA.
Degnin M, Ashton L, Torchetti MK … +4 more , Harris M, Blecha K, Pabilonia K, Fox KA
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41956483 · Publisher ↗
During a 1-mo period in early 2023, four adult free-ranging mountain lions (Puma concolor) and two adult free-ranging bobcats (Lynx rufus) died or were euthanized during an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influe...
During a 1-mo period in early 2023, four adult free-ranging mountain lions (Puma concolor) and two adult free-ranging bobcats (Lynx rufus) died or were euthanized during an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) in Colorado, USA. All six animals tested positive for HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b, and necropsy findings resembled those described by others for domestic cats and wild felids infected with HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b in North America. The most consistent findings in the Colorado wild felids were necrotizing and lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis (6/6) and interstitial to bronchointerstitial pneumonia (3/6). Necrotizing lesions were also identified in other tissues, including liver (3/6) and adrenal gland (2/4). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated localization of influenza A-specific antibody to necrotizing lesions. Sequencing of the HPAIV PB2 gene did not reveal mutations to suggest mammalian adaptation, and resolution of the outbreak in wild felids coincided with a decline in cases in wild birds. The presumed mechanism of transmission to wild felids was exposure at the time of ingestion of infected avian carcasses. Immunohistochemistry of tongue, pinna, and skeletal muscle did not indicate utility of these samples for noninvasive sampling of hunter-harvested carcasses for HPAI surveillance. We recommend testing brain tissue for HPAIV surveillance in wild felids.
Ketamine-Butorphanol-Azaperone-Medetomidine for Helicopter Capture of Free-Ranging Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Alaska, USA.
Roug A, Hunter A, Jamison M … +2 more , van Diest G, Bentzen T
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Jun · PMID 41895327 · Publisher ↗
Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are frequently captured for research and management, often using drug combinations that include potent opioids. We evaluated an alternative combination of butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (B...
Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are frequently captured for research and management, often using drug combinations that include potent opioids. We evaluated an alternative combination of butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM) plus ketamine (KBAM) for helicopter-based captures of free-ranging caribou. The study included 61 animals from four herds captured between October 2024 and April 2025: 30 female calves and 31 adult cows. Initially, 11 calves were immobilized with 1 mL BAM and 50 mg ketamine; subsequently, the ketamine dose was reduced to 30 mg for the remaining calves. Adult cows received 1.75-2.25 mL BAM with 50 mg ketamine. Overall, 22/30 calves were weighed, and doses (mean ±SD [range]) were 0.51±0.04 (0.43-0.60) mg/kg for butorphanol, 0.17±0.01 (0.14-0.20) mg/kg for azaperone, and 0.21±0.01 (0.17-0.24) mg/kg for medetomidine. Mean ketamine doses were 0.96±0.08 (0.85-1.10) mg/kg for calves receiving 50 mg and 0.55±0.04 (0.48-0.63) mg/kg for calves receiving 30 mg. Mean time from darting to recumbency was 4.1 min (range 2-8 min) for calves and 6.3 min (range 3-16 min) for adults, and mean time from intramuscular reversal with atipamezole and naltrexone to standing was 5.4 min (range 1-12 min) for calves and 6.0 min (range 1-38 min) for cows. No capture-related mortalities were observed within 1 mo post-release. All animals experienced hypoxemia, which improved with intranasal oxygen administration. These results suggest that KBAM is an effective alternative to potent opioids for helicopter-based capture of caribou, providing reasonably rapid induction and recovery while minimizing mortality risk.
Subaortic Stenosis in Four Free-Ranging Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) from the Alpine and Jura Populations in Switzerland.
Langenegger Y, Wethli I, Imlau M … +4 more , Pewsner M, Kvapil P, Glaus T, Marti IA
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41844228 · Publisher ↗
As part of wildlife conservation efforts, the reintroduced Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) populations in Switzerland are the subject of ongoing health surveillance. Cardiac pathologies, such as heart murmurs and histopatholog...
As part of wildlife conservation efforts, the reintroduced Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) populations in Switzerland are the subject of ongoing health surveillance. Cardiac pathologies, such as heart murmurs and histopathologic changes in the cardiac tissue, including intramural cardiac vessels, are frequently observed. Here we describe four cases of subaortic stenosis (SAS), a congenital heart disease rarely reported in felids, in free-ranging adult male lynx from Switzerland. The affected lynx presented macroscopically with grades 1 to 3 of SAS. Histopathology confirmed characteristic subvalvular fibrous tissue as well as myocardial fibrosis and arteriosclerosis. Clinical data for one lynx, including the documentation of a systolic heart murmur, provide further case-specific insights. Our findings suggest that SAS might be linked to the recurrently noted cardiac pathologies and could be associated with the low genetic variability of lynx in Switzerland. This highlights the importance of integrating health and genetic data into conservation strategies to preserve healthy, viable wildlife populations.
Prevalence and Intensity of Parasitic Insects on Puerto Rican Birds.
Waller MM, Amedee NA, Warr HM … +2 more , Bush SE, Clayton DH
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41794377 · Publisher ↗
Birds are host to four orders of parasitic insects: flies (Diptera), lice (Psocodea: Phthiraptera), true bugs (Hemiptera), and fleas (Siphonaptera). These parasites can lower host fitness and thus require birds to invest...
Birds are host to four orders of parasitic insects: flies (Diptera), lice (Psocodea: Phthiraptera), true bugs (Hemiptera), and fleas (Siphonaptera). These parasites can lower host fitness and thus require birds to invest in defenses to minimize fitness losses. In Puerto Rico, virulent parasites, such as Philornis spp. flies, threaten endangered species and subspecies of birds. Philornis larvae are hematophagous and burrow beneath the skin of both nestling and adult birds. Unfortunately, little is known regarding the prevalence and intensity of subcutaneous Philornis flies of adult birds in Puerto Rico. Here, we inspected 430 birds, representing 38 species, for Philornis infestation. We found Philornis larvae on only four birds, despite previous studies reporting high Philornis prevalence on adults of a single Puerto Rican species, Pearly-eyed Thrashers (Margarops fuscatus). Our results are consistent with other studies suggesting that the prevalence and intensity of Philornis is low in most adult and fledgling birds, compared to nestlings. Our data suggest that Philornis infestation is not a major threat to adult birds in Puerto Rico. In contrast, we show that parasitic lice are relatively common on Puerto Rican birds. Of 309 birds dusted for ectoparasites, 163 (53%) were infested with lice. None of the 309 birds were infested with parasitic fleas or bugs. Our results confirm other recent work showing relatively high prevalence and intensity of lice on birds in humid regions of the world.
Domestic Lagomorph Cases and Developed Land Cover Are Associated with Higher Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 Infection Case Counts in Wild Lagomorphs in the Western USA.
Miller ML, Welsh AB, Frantz MW … +2 more , Owen SF, Rota CT
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41759939 · Publisher ↗
Understanding the factors that influence wildlife disease spread can help inform monitoring and mitigation efforts. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) infection is a highly contagious viral disease that is usuall...
Understanding the factors that influence wildlife disease spread can help inform monitoring and mitigation efforts. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) infection is a highly contagious viral disease that is usually fatal for rabbit and hare species. We obtained RHDV2 infection case counts for wild lagomorph species from 2020-24 across 14 USA states, from a publicly available USA Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service dataset. We used Bayesian conditional autoregressive models to assess the effects of land cover, domestic RHDV2 infection case counts, and environmental factors on wild RHDV2 infection case counts. Our findings suggested that wild RHDV2 cases were positively related to RHDV2 cases in domestic lagomorphs, developed land cover, and lower annual precipitation. These results can be used to target RHDV2 surveillance in wild lagomorphs to urban areas where RHDV2 has been detected in domestic lagomorphs. Overall, our study provides insights into where surveillance could be prioritized to better understand the spread of RHDV2 into new areas.
Positivity Rate of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola in Snake Populations of Cook County, Illinois, USA.
Deppe K, Winter JM, Adamovicz L … +4 more , Hucker EM, Grochowski K, Anchor C, Allender MC
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41759938 · Publisher ↗
Ophidiomycosis, caused by Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, is a disease associated with variably high morbidity and mortality in both snakes under human care and free-living snakes. Within Illinois, USA, ophidiomycosis surveill...
Ophidiomycosis, caused by Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, is a disease associated with variably high morbidity and mortality in both snakes under human care and free-living snakes. Within Illinois, USA, ophidiomycosis surveillance has primarily focused on snake populations in southern Illinois, adjacent to agricultural land. The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence of O. ophidiicola DNA across multiple snake species and locations in an urban county of northeastern Illinois, containing historically diverse and abundant snake populations. During the summer of 2023, 51 snakes, representing five species, were collected, examined, and evaluated via skin swab for the presence of O. ophidiicola using quantitative PCR. Detection of O. ophidiicola was similar between seven distinct sites and five species: 31% (9/29) in common water snakes (Nerodia sipedon), 29% (2/7) in eastern fox snakes (Pantherophis vulpinus), 17% (1/6) in DeKay's brownsnakes (Storeria dekayi), 40% (2/5) in common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis), and 50% (2/4) in eastern milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum). Gross lesions consistent with O. ophidiicola infection, including crusts, discoloration, swelling, and ulceration, were noted in 65% (33/51) of the snakes sampled in the study and 75% (12/16) of the O. ophidiicola-positive snakes. Results indicate that O. ophidiicola in snakes in northeastern Illinois exists at a similar or higher positivity rate than has been documented in other studies across North America. Future studies may enable improved characterization of ophidiomycosis dynamics.
Histopathologic Evaluation, Ultrastructure, and Molecular Characterization of Acanthocephalan Infections in Freshwater Turtles.
Koch RW, Cino Ozuna AG, Bolek MG
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41759902 · Publisher ↗
Turtle acanthocephalans are a depauperate group of helminths, yet they parasitize a quarter of all turtle species in North America. Despite acanthocephalans being common in turtles, their potential as disease-causing age...
Turtle acanthocephalans are a depauperate group of helminths, yet they parasitize a quarter of all turtle species in North America. Despite acanthocephalans being common in turtles, their potential as disease-causing agents remains unknown. In other vertebrate hosts, acanthocephalans are known to cause pathologic changes upon attachment (via with their armed proboscis) to the intestinal wall of the host. Herein, we report new turtle host associations, ultrastructural characterization, and molecular data for turtle acanthocephalans. However, the primary goal of this study was to evaluate whether there is pathology associated with acanthocephalans in turtle hosts. In total, 63 turtles comprising six sampled species were examined for acanthocephalans via surveillance of wild turtles in Oklahoma, USA, between 2010 and 2022. A mean intensity of 395 acanthocephalans per turtle was recovered from 30 (83%) of 36 red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), morphologically and molecularly identified as Neoechinorhynchus chrysemydis (n=382), Neoechinorhynchus emydis (n=187), Neoechinorhynchus emyditoides (n=1,803), and Neoechinorhynchus pseudemydis (n=2,901). Only one (11%) of nine snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) was infected with acanthocephalans, morphologically and molecularly identified as juveniles of N. chrysemydis (n=1) and Neoechinorhynchus cylindratus (n=12), a fish acanthocephalan. Histopathologic examination revealed changes to the intestinal walls of infected red-eared sliders, including villous atrophy and excessive mucus production. Additionally, the presence of boluses of worms expelled within turtle feces was observed. Noninfected turtles showed no evidence of gross or histopathologic lesions in the intestines. Overall, these findings indicate that acanthocephalans can potentially elicit pathologic changes to turtle hosts, probably as a result of intestinal irritation due to acanthocephalan attachment.
Surveillance of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in France, 2016-22: What Did We Learn from Mortality Data?
Blin L, Calenge C, Decors A … +9 more , Toulet N, Meloni E, Van De Wiele A, Faure E, Rambaud T, Niqueux E, Guinat C, Le Loc'h G, Palumbo L
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41759901 · Publisher ↗
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses major conservation issues worldwide. In France, recurrent outbreaks of HPAI (H5) in wild birds have occurred since 2020, yet our understanding of the disease's dynamics have...
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses major conservation issues worldwide. In France, recurrent outbreaks of HPAI (H5) in wild birds have occurred since 2020, yet our understanding of the disease's dynamics have remained limited. By leveraging data from the national wildlife health surveillance network (SAGIR), we conducted a spatiotemporal analysis of the HPAI outbreaks in wild birds. Between 2016 and 2022, two different spatiotemporal patterns of the disease were observed in France: sporadic episodes of the virus in four episodes, forming either isolated cases or self-limited clusters at the maximum and epizootic circulation in 2022. During sporadic circulation episodes, observations were concentrated in well-defined spatiotemporal clusters with low prevalence. Those self-limited clusters, places where the density of positive events was substantially larger than in the rest of France, reflected three epidemiologic patterns: 1) recurrent clusters linked to migration and waterfowl habitats; 2) clusters involving synanthropic species in diverse areas and related to outbreaks in poultry farms; and 3) outbreaks in colonial bird species, observed once in 2020 and once in 2022, involving Red Knots (Calidris canutus) and Eurasian Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus), respectively. Beginning in summer 2022, the epizootic episode, characterized by a high prevalence along the northern French coasts, involved Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) and Laridae. During this epizootic, cluster boundaries were far less well-defined. The ecology of the affected bird species and the characteristics of the circulating viral strains (often adapted to these species) may explain this new spatiotemporal dynamic compared with previously observed sporadic circulation, driven mainly through migration. Our study provides a better understanding of the dynamics of HPAI outbreaks in wild birds; nevertheless, knowledge gaps remain, and improved surveillance of HPAI in wild birds is still needed.
Estimating Survival of Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) with Mycoplasmopsis sp., Adenovirus, and Herpesvirus Detection in Illinois, USA.
Daleo MJ, Stodola KW, Benson TJ … +3 more , Adamovicz LA, Phillips CA, Allender MC
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41759893 · Publisher ↗
The impact of health and disease on wildlife population dynamics and individual survival is complex and poorly understood, especially in cryptic species such as chelonians. Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolin...
The impact of health and disease on wildlife population dynamics and individual survival is complex and poorly understood, especially in cryptic species such as chelonians. Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) are declining due to anthropogenic and natural factors, including disease, though the relative importance of these factors for individual survival is unknown. Determining survival rates in free-ranging chelonians is challenging because individuals are difficult to locate and recapture, deceased turtles can be quickly scavenged, and turtles can die underground during a brumation period. The purpose of this study was to estimate the apparent survival rate for wild eastern box turtles detected with common box turtle pathogens, including Terrapene herpesvirus 1, Terrapene adenovirus, and box turtle Mycoplasmopsis sp., using Cormack-Jolly-Seber models. We used mark-recapture data from 778 individuals from five box turtle populations collected over 7 yr (2016-22), paired with concurrently collected demographic and quantitative PCR pathogen detection data. Apparent survival estimates were different among the five sites, ranging from 71% to 88%, but similar between sexes. We found that pathogens modeled as a function of survival had a positive effect; turtles detected with a pathogen were two to six times more likely to survive than those without detected pathogens. However, this may be an artifact of high, unbiased pathogen prevalence paired with a relatively low probability of pathogen detection via intermittent testing. This analysis provides important estimates of apparent survival for the declining eastern box turtle and valuable information on the interaction between pathogen detection and estimates of individual survival, which can be used to better understand the drivers of population persistence in this species.
Detection of Candida spp. in Peccaries (Pecari tajacu) from the Brazilian Amazon.
Santos PHR, Ferreira GS, Silva KS … +5 more , Costa CN, Oliveira TFL, Nunes MHV, Rocha JHL, Silva TIB
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41698674 · Publisher ↗
The collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) is a member of the Tayassuidae family widely distributed throughout the Americas, particularly in Brazil. These animals have important ecologic functions and, despite their good conse...
The collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) is a member of the Tayassuidae family widely distributed throughout the Americas, particularly in Brazil. These animals have important ecologic functions and, despite their good conservation status, are frequently affected by anthropogenic pressures. Candida spp. are commensal yeasts present in the microbiota of various hosts; however, under conditions that disrupt microbial balance, they can become opportunistic pathogens. Some Candida spp. are also of great relevance to the One Health framework, because they cause significant impacts on the health of humans and animals. The investigation of potentially zoonotic fungi in wild animals is fundamental for understanding the ecoepidemiologic dynamics, so this study aimed to detect Candida spp. in captive collared peccaries bred in naturalistic enclosures in the Brazilian Amazon. Swabs from the oral cavity were collected and processed according to classical microbiology techniques. Thirty animals were evaluated, and 93% (28/30) had at least one Candida species detected. A total of 42 Candida spp. isolates were recovered, with five identified species: Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata, and Candida tropicalis. One Candida isolate remained unidentified. These findings highlight the role of collared peccaries as potential reservoirs of opportunistically pathogenic yeasts and emphasize the importance of active surveillance of microbial diversity in wild animals.
Pathologic Characterization of Raillietiella orientalis Infection and Comorbidities in Free-Ranging Pygmy Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius) from Central Florida, USA.
Graham EA, Farrell TM, Agugliaro J … +3 more , Walden HDS, Lind CM, Ossiboff RJ
J Wildl Dis · 2026 Apr · PMID 41698669 · Publisher ↗
Raillietiella orientalis (Ro) is a parasitic pentastome with a rapidly expanding geographic and herpetofaunal host range in the southeastern USA since its introduction, probably with the invasive Burmese python (Python b...
Raillietiella orientalis (Ro) is a parasitic pentastome with a rapidly expanding geographic and herpetofaunal host range in the southeastern USA since its introduction, probably with the invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus). However, little is known about the health impacts of Ro infection in native USA host species. Pygmy rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius), small pit vipers native to the southeastern USA, were among the first documented naïve hosts of Ro in Florida, USA. Between December 2018 and February 2019, 17 free-ranging S. miliarius from central Florida were evaluated for Ro pentastomiasis and comorbidities. Necropsy revealed Ro pentastomiasis in eight (47%) rattlesnakes confirmed by morphologic and molecular methods. Pygmy rattlesnakes harbored more Ro pentastomes (mean) than documented in Burmese pythons in southern Florida; moreover, the mean length of mature female Ro in S. miliarius was greater than in pythons, suggesting altered host-parasite interactions in this naïve host. Microscopically, localized inflammation and parasitic hematin deposition were associated with Ro in respiratory and coelomic tissues. All 17 snakes (100%) had both fungal dermatitis consistent with ophidiomycosis and mixed endoparasitism; other findings included two (12%) snakes with ferlaviral pneumonia and one (6%) with gastric cryptosporidiosis. This study shows that although lesions directly attributable to Ro in S. miliarius were mild, mixed-pathogen coinfections were common, highlighting the need for further study of potential host health and fitness impacts in native Florida snakes.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe