Reciprocal Allogrooming in Dam-reared and Hand-reared Impala Fawns

Among adult females and males of African antelope impala are unique in their performance of reciprocal allogrooming. The occurrence of this behaviour in neonatal impala fawns was explored in a free-ranging impala herd at the San Diego Wild Animal Park where 5 dam-reared fawns were observed from birth through 10 weeks of age. One-way maternal grooming and reciprocal allogrooming with the dam and non dam partners emerged as distinct behavioural systems. Maternal grooming, directed mostly to the anogenital area, was typical of that seen in other ungulates, and sharply declined over the first two weeks. Reciprocal allogrooming, characterized by alternate exchanges of grooming bouts with a partner in the same manner as in adults, was seen as early as 3–8 d after birth. All fawns were grooming with unrelated adult females by the end of the second week. By week 2 virtually every measure of reciprocal allogrooming by fawns (grooming delivered per hour, reciprocity, and percent of encounters initiated) was as high as for adults. The appearance of this reciprocal allogrooming pattern, especially at such an early age, appears to be unique among ungulates, and possibly mammals in general. Three hand-reared impala fawns, deprived of the opportunity to interact with older herdmates, but having access to impala fawns and heterospecific fawns, were observed from 1–3 mo of age. The hand-reared impala showed no alteration in the occurrence of reciprocal allogrooming behaviour compared with the dam-reared control fawns, indicating that allogrooming experience with older animals was not required for the appearance of reciprocal allogrooming at an early age. Interestingly, hand-reared fawns persisted in grooming heterospecific fawns despite the fact that heterospecifics rarely reciprocated grooming. We postulate that the strong predisposition for impala young to groom others may be related to the threat of tick infestation in the impala's ecotone habitat.     

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Isfahan, Iran

Cryptosporidium are commonly identified as intestinal pathogens in humans and animals. Fecal samples from 480 cattle randomly selected from 30 regions in Isfahan, Iran, were examined to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection. Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified by using sheather's concentration and the Ziehl-Neelsen modified staining technique in 30 of 480 cattle ranging from less than 6 mo of age to older than 1 yr of age. Infected animals were found in 86.6% (26/30) of regions investigated. Overall prevalence of infection was 6.25%, but higher in cattle less than 6 mo of age (10.8%) and this was statistically significant (P<0.05). Both sexes of cattle were infected with Cryptosporidium parasites, but prevalences were higher in diarrheic (56.7%) than in non-diarrheic (39%) cattle. Cryptosporidium appears to be prevalent in cattle in Isfahan.     

Effects of Relatedness,Dominance, Age,and Association on Reciprocal Allogrooming by Captive Impala

Wild impala display a highly reciprocal allogrooming system that, by virtue of its frequency and high degree of reciprocity, is unique among ungulates. A herd of 35 free-ranging captive impala provided opportunity to examine the degree of reciprocity of allogrooming exchanges and the influence of relatedness, dominance, age and association on partner preferences and distribution of grooming between allogrooming partners. As in wild impala, the exchange of allogrooming bouts in the captive impala was highly reciprocal regardless of partners. Kinship and dominance had no influence on partner preference or distribution of grooming between partners. Although mothers showed a significant preference to allogroom with their unweaned offspring, this preference practically disappeared with older offspring. Age-mates (no greater than 6 mo apart) tended to associate with one another and spatial proximity was positively correlated with grooming partner preference. It was not clear whether impala actively sought out age-mates for grooming, or randomly chose grooming partners from nearby age-mates. The failure to find a role for kinship and dominance is counter to what has generally been found in most Old World terrestrial primate studies. The absence of pronounced social influences, coupled with the known effectiveness of grooming in removing ectoparasites, suggest that a utilitarian role, especially removal of ticks, is an important function of the impala reciprocal allogrooming system.     

A study on the prevalence and intensity of occurrence of Thelazia skrjabini (Nematoda: Thelazioidea) in cattle in central Alberta, Canada

The distribution of Thelazia skrjabini in the eyes of cattle was examined from necropsies on 297 animals. Although the overall prevalence in beef cattle (21.5%) was similar to that in dairy cattle (25.7%), in general worms were more abundant in beef than in dairy animals. The worm prevalence was lowest in the months from March to June and highest in September among beef and dairy animals. Thelazia skrjabini was found in 76 (16.8%) eyes from beef, and 23 (16.4%) eyes from dairy cattle. Infections were not randomly distributed among the eyes of cattle. Significantly more dairy and beef cattle contained T. skrjabini in both eyes than expected based on the observed prevalences. Based on chi-square probabilities, significantly more cattle more than 2 yr of age and less than 10 mo of age were infected with T. skrjabini. Although all age groups were infected, more worms were observed in cattle more than 2 yr of age. More female worms than males were collected from cattle. The male-to-female ratio of 1:2 was consistent regardless of cattle age, season, or type.     

Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium microti) in wild field vole populations

Vole tuberculosis (TB; Mycobacterium microti) is an understudied endemic infection. Despite progressing slowly, it causes severe clinical pathology and overt symptoms in its rodent host. TB was monitored for 2 years in wild field voles in Kielder Forest, UK. The prevalence of characteristic cutaneous TB lesions was monitored longitudinally at 4 sites, with individuals live-trapped and repeatedly monitored. A prevalence of 5.2% of individuals with lesions was recorded (n=2791). In a cross-sectional study, 27 sites were monitored bi-annually, with TB assessed by post-mortem examination for macroscopic lesions, and by culture and histopathology. Seventy-nine voles (10.78%; n=733) were positive for mycobacteria, with the highest prevalence in spring (13.15%; n=327). TB prevalence varied, with between 0% and 50% of voles infected per site. Prevalence increased with age (mass), and apparent seasonality was due to a higher proportion of older animals in spring. Survival analysis supported this result, with cutaneous lesions only manifesting in the advanced stages of infection, and therefore only being found on older voles. The body condition of individuals with lesions declined at the time when the lesion was first recorded, when compared to individuals without lesions, suggesting there may be an acute phase of infection during its advanced stage. Although predicted survival following the appearance of a cutaneous lesion was lower than for uninfected individuals, this was not significant.     

Recent Patterns in Population-Based HIV Prevalence in Swaziland

Background

The 2011 Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS) was conducted as part of a national study to evaluate the scale up of key HIV prevention programs.

Methods

From a randomly selected sample of all Swazi households, all women and men aged 18-49 were considered eligible, and all consenting adults were enrolled and received HIV testing and counseling. In this analysis, population-based measures of HIV prevalence were produced and compared against similarly measured HIV prevalence estimates from the 2006-7 Swaziland Demographic and Health. Also, measures of HIV service utilization in both HIV infected and uninfected populations were documented and discussed.

Results

HIV prevalence among adults aged 18-49 has remained unchanged between 2006-2011 at 31-32%, with substantial differences in current prevalence between women (39%) and men (24%). In both men and women, between since 2006-7 and 2011, prevalence has fallen in the young age groups and risen in the older age groups. Over a third (38%) of the HIV-infected population was unaware of their infection status, and this differed markedly between men (50%) and women (31%). Of those aware of their HIV-positive status, a higher percentage of men (63%) than women (49%) reported ART use.

Conclusions

While overall HIV prevalence remains roughly constant, age-specific changes strongly suggest both improved survival of the HIV-infected and a reduction in new HIV infections. Awareness of HIV status and entry into ART services has improved in recent years but remains too low. This study identifies opportunities to improve both HIV preventive and care services in Swaziland.     

Epidemiology of tattoo skin disease in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus from the Sado estuary, Portugal

We report on the epidemiology of tattoo disease in a community of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus from the Sado estuary, Portugal. The presence of tattoos (T++) and tattoo-like (T+) lesions was examined in 586 photographic records of 35 dolphins taken from 1994 to 1997. Images were rated into 3 categories: good (GI), average (AI) and poor (PI). Dolphins positive for T++ lesions were observed in 19 GI. Dolphins with T+ lesions were seen in 39 GI, 23 AI and 6 PI. For statistical analysis the dolphins were divided into 2 age classes (immature and adult) and the data grouped into 2 periods (1994-1995 and 1996-1997). Minimum prevalence of T++ lesions in 32 dolphins was 21.9% in 1994-1995 and 15.6% in 1996-1997. Variation in prevalence of tattoo disease between the 2 age classes was examined for each period, excluding animals with T+ lesions or considering them either positive or negative for tattoos. Prevalence of the disease was significantly higher in immature dolphins than in adults during both periods, except in the first one when T+ lesions were considered as true tattoos. Temporal variation in prevalence of tattoo disease was examined in 23 adults. Prevalence was significantly higher in 1994-1995 (39.1%) than in 1996-1997 (17.4%). Differences in the number and quality of pictures did not cause significant biases that could have favoured the detection of lesions between age classes or periods. Minimal persistence of the disease ranged between 3 and 45.5 mo. The lesions converted into light grey marks when healing, but may recur. The presence of very large lesions in 2 adult dolphins affected for years may be related to the contamination of the estuary. The high prevalence of the disease, its long persistence, as well as higher frequency in immature individuals, suggest that it is endemic in bottlenose dolphins from the Sado estuary. The contribution of tattoo disease to the decline of this community should be investigated. Three of the 5 dolphins that died during this study had T++ and T+ lesions.     

Capillariid nematodes in Brazilian turkeys, Meleagris gallopavo (Galliformes, Phasianidae): pathology induced by Baruscapillaria obsignata and Eucoleus annulatus (Trichinelloidea, Capillariidae)

The pathology induced in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) by two capillariid nematodes, Baruscapillaria obsignata and Eucoleus annulatus is described together with data on prevalences, mean infection and range of worm burdens. B. obsignata occurred with a prevalence of 72.5% in the 40 examined hosts in a range of 2-461 nematodes and a mean intensity of 68.6, whereas E. annulatus was present in 2.5% of the animals, with a total amount of five recovered parasites. Gross lesions were not observed in the parasitized birds. Lesions due to B. obsignata mainly consisted of the thickening of intestinal villi with a mild mixed inflammatory infiltrate with the presence of mononuclear cells and heterophils. The lesions induced by E. annulatus were represented by foci of inflammatory infiltrate with heterophils in the crop epithelium and esophagus of a single infected female. These are the first pathological findings related to the presence of capillariid worms in turkeys to be reported in Brazil so far. Capillaria anatis, although present, was not pathogenic to the investigated turkeys.     

Reticuloendotheliosis in a wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) from coastal Georgia.

An emaciated wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) exhibiting neurologic signs was found on Ossabaw Island, Chatham County, Georgia (USA) on 11 April 1989. The neurologic abnormalities observed included ataxia, drooping wings, head tremors, torticollis, and circling. At necropsy, discrete yellowish-white nodules, varying in size from 2 to 5 mm, were present in the spleen. White nodular lesions approximately 2 mm in diameter were observed beneath the mucosal surface of the distal esophagus. Histopathologic examination of the splenic nodules disclosed large numbers of primitive lymphoreticular cells with leptochromatic nuclei and abundant, slightly basophilic cytoplasms. The mitotic index in these cells was moderate to high. Similar neoplastic cells composed the masses observed in the esophagus. Multifocal, mild perivascular cuffing with mononuclear cells was found in the lumbar spinal cord, brain, and brain stem. Reticuloendotheliosis virus, subtype 3, was isolated from samples of the spleen and liver.     

Leishmania amazonensis infection in nude mice.

Leishmania amazonensis is an intracellular protozoan parasite of macrophages. Cutaneous leishmaniasis in an immunocompetent host begins as papules or nodules followed by ulceration at the site of promastigote inoculation. In this study, the pathological changes of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions in T cell deficient nude mice were examined. When infected with L. amazonensis promastigotes, nude mice developed non-ulcerative cutaneous nodules. By histological examination of cutaneous lesions, massive accumulation of vacuolated histiocytes containing amastigotes was observed in all the nude mice. Although infiltration of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells was seen in the lesions of immunocompetent mice, few such cells were observed in the lesions of nude mice. These results indicate the importance of T cells on the ulcer formation in cutaneous leishmaniasis.     

The pathogenicity of bovine strains of foot and mouth disease virus for impala and wildebeest.

Impala (Aepyceros melampus) and wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) were infected with bovine strains of foot and mouth disease virus by intradermolingual inoculation. No clinical signs developed in the impala but mild atypical lesions developed in the tongues of the wildebeest with generalized spread to one foot in two of the eight animals exposed. All the impala but only some of the wildebeest developed viraemia. No virus could be isolated from any tissues in either species after the 7th day following virus inoculation. Immune response occurred in both species. A field survey revealed few animals of either species with significant antibody titers and no virus 'carriers' were found.     

Trichurid nematodes in ring-necked pheasants from backyard flocks of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: frequency and pathology

The present investigation is related to the frequency of infection and to the gross and microscopic lesions associated to the presence of trichurid worms in 50 ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) from backyard flocks in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the investigated birds, the overall infection rate was of 74%, with the presence of Eucoleus perforans with 72% of prevalence and 21.2 of mean intensity, in the esophageal and crop mucosa and rarely in the junction of the proventriculus and esophagus, E. annulatus with 2% and 3 in the crop mucosa, Capillaria phasianina, with 12% and 4.3 in the cecum and small intestine and Baruscapillaria obsignata, for the first time referred in this host, with 2% and 1 in the small intestine. Clinical signs were absent. The gross lesions observed in the crop and esophagus of 14 (38.9%) pheasants parasitized with E. perforans were thickening, small nodules, congestion, and petechial haemorrhages in the mucosa. These birds presented a mean infection of 37.5 and a range of infection of 10-82. The microscopic lesions revealed chronic esophagitis with diffuse inflammatory process in the lamina propria characterized mostly by a mononuclear cell infiltrate and also with the presence of granulocytes. In the case of the parasitism of pheasants with C. phasianina, the gross lesions were absent; microscopic lesions were characterized by chronic typhlitis with mononuclear infiltrate. Gross and microscopic lesions were absent in the pheasants parasitized with E. annulatus and B. obsignata.     

Prevalence and pathology of the nematode Heterakis gallinarum, the trematode Paratanaisia bragai, and the protozoan Histomonas meleagridis in the turkey, Meleagris gallopavo

The prevalence of infection and associated pathology induced by two helminth and one protozoan species infecting Brazilian turkeys are reported. The intestinal nematode Heterakis gallinarum appeared with a prevalence of 70% in the infected birds, without gross lesions when not associated to the protozoan Histomonas meleagridis. Histological findings in the ceca were represented by the presence of H. gallinarum worms, intense chronic diffuse inflammatory processes with mononuclear and polymorphonuclear (heterophils) leucocyte infiltrations. The prevalence of the protozoan H. meleagridis associated to H. gallinarum was of 2.5% and microscopic examination revealed a severe inflammatory process in the liver and cecum with the presence of small clear areas with round eosinophilic parasites. Gross lesions were absent in turkeys infected with the renal digenetic trematode Paratanaisia bragai; the parasite was prevalent in 20% of the cases and cross-sections of the kidneys showed a remarkable distension of the collecting ducts with several worms in the lumen. The walls of the ducts presented a discrete heterophilic infiltrate among mononuclear cells.     

The Prevalence of Elaphostrongylus Cervi Infection in Moose (Alces alces) in Southern Norway

The prevalence of Elaphostrongylus cervi infection in moose shot during the hunting season 1983 in 47 different municipalities in Southern Norway was studied. E. cervi seemed to occur endemically in the population, as infection was found in 35 % of 1,982 moose examined. Diagnosis was made on the basis of the presence of eggs and first-stage larvae (L1) and associated histopathological lesions in the lung, and on the presence of L1 in the faeces. The prevalence varied considerably between different municipalities. No relationship was found between the prevalence of E. cervi and the population density of moose. The highest prevalence was found in municipalities where red deer harbouring E. cervi were also present. The prevalence among males was higher than among females, and that among yearlings higher than among calves and adults. In no case was infection found in animals 51/2 years of age or older. Carcass weight in infected adult moose was significantly lower than in non-infected adults.     

Exercise improves postischemic function in aging hearts

Exercise improves cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion in young animals but has not been investigated in older animals, which represent the population most likely to suffer an ischemic event. Therefore, we sought to determine the effects of aging on exercise-induced cardioprotection. Young, middle-aged, and old (4, 12, and 21 mo old) male Fischer 344 rats ran 60 min at 70-75% of maximum oxygen consumption. Twenty-four hours postexercise, isolated perfused working hearts underwent 22.5 min of global ischemia and then 30 min of recovery (reperfusion). Compared with sedentary rats (n = 8-9 rats/group), recovery of function (cardiac output x systolic pressure) improved after exercise (n = 9 rats/group) by 40% at 4 mo, 78% at 12 mo, and 59% at 21 mo. Exercise increased inducible heat shock protein 70 expression 105% at 4 mo but only 27% at 12 mo and 24% at 21 mo. Catalase activity progressively increased with age (P < 0.05) and was increased by exercise at 4 mo (26%) and 21 mo (19%). Manganese superoxide dismutase activity was increased by exercise only at 21 mo (45%). No exercise-related change in any antioxidant enzyme was observed at 12 mo. We conclude that exercise can enhance cardioprotection regardless of age, but the cardioprotective protein phenotype changes with age.     

Evaluation of host preferences by helminths and ectoparasites among black-tailed jackrabbits in northern California

Fifty-four black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) (five juvenile males, 22 adult males, five juvenile females, and 22 adult females) from Humboldt County, California (USA) were evaluated for sex and age-specific differences in parasite prevalences and intensities, 26 February through 30 October 1996. Nematodes found included Biogastranema leporis in 42 hares (78% prevalence), Rauschia triangularis in 26 hares (48%), Trichostrongylus calcaratus in 14 hares (26%), and Trichuris sylvilagi in two hares (4%). Cestodes found included Taenia sp. cysticerci in five hares (9%) and Taenia sp. coenurus found in one hare (2%). Ectoparasites found included the ticks Dermacentor variabilis on 10 hares (19%) and Ixodes spinipalpis (= Ixodes neotomae) on nine hares (17%), as well as the anoplurid louse Haemodipsus setoni on 12 hares (22%). No significant differences in the parasite prevalences or intensities were found between male and female jackrabbits; this was for all males and females collectively, juvenile males and females only, as well as adult males and females only. Combining male and female hosts, adult jackrabbits had a significantly higher prevalence of B. leporis and R. triangularis compared to juveniles. This is the first known report of Trichostrongylus calcaratus, Rauschia triangularis, Trichuris sylvilagi, and Dermacentor variabilis among black-tailed jackrabbits and the first known report of T. calcaratus and T. sylvilagi in the western USA. This is the first published report of I. spinipalpis, the vector for Lyme disease in California, on black-tailed jackrabbits.     

Spontaneous Aortic Lesions in Moose (Alces Alces L)

In 17 out of 22 aortas from moose, 6 months to more than 18 years, aortic lesions were found. Five different types of lesions were observed, fatty streaks were seen in 1, fibrous plaques in 7, fatty streaks with complicated lesions (calcification and acid mucopolysaccharides) in 3, fibrous plaques with complicated lesions in 2 and fibrous plaques with complicated lesions and fat droplets in 4 of the aortas. Elastic tissue degeneration of the inner two thirds of the tunica media was principally found in the aorta of the animals beyond 4 year of age. There was no statistical evidence for a correlation between age and frequency but a trend towards age dependence was seen. The percentage of involved surface was found to increase significantly (0.05 > P > 0.02) with age. There was no significant difference between affected male and female animals in the different age groups. The frequency of involved surface in different affected regions, comprising all age groups were, in the posterior abdominal portion, 13.0 %, in the anterior abdominal portion, 3.0 %, in the posterior thoracic portion 5.2 %, in the anterior thoracic portion, 0.1 % and in the aortic arch, 0.1 %. Proliferating endothelial cells and the source of smooth muscle cells were discussed.     

Onchocercosis in red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Spain.

Onchocercosis, caused by Onchocerca flexuosa, was observed in red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Spain for the first time. Adult specimens of P. flexuosa were found in nodules in subcutaneous tissues in 42 of 125 (33%) red deer between October 1994 and September 1995; intensity of infection +/- SD was 3.93 +/- 5.26 nodules per infected host. A clear seasonal pattern in the distribution of nodules was observed, with higher values of prevalence and intensity in fall and winter in contrast to spring and summer. Significant differences were found among age groups in prevalence, but not in the mean intensity. No differences in infection were apparent between male and female adult red deer.     

Segment-specific changes with age in the expression of junctional proteins and the permeability of the blood-epididymis barrier in rats.

In aging Brown Norway rats, there is a striking increase in the number of halo cells in the epididymis; this reflects an activation of the immune system. As the blood-epididymis barrier should protect from immunological attack, we hypothesized that there would be changes in the structure and function of this barrier with age. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the immunocytochemical localization of occludin, ZO-1, and E-cadherin, as well as the lanthanum nitrate permeability of the blood-epididymis barrier, in the epididymides of Brown Norway rats aged 3, 18, and 24 mo. In the initial segment, occludin, ZO-1, and E-cadherin immunostaining was observed at the apico-lateral junction between principal cells in the 3-mo-old animals; with increasing age, occludin and ZO-1 reactivity decreased, while E-cadherin staining increased along the lateral membrane between principal cells. In the caput, corpus, and cauda epididymidis, occludin, ZO-1, and E-cadherin immunostaining showed segment-specific and age-dependent differences in their staining patterns. The most dramatic changes were seen in the corpus epididymidis with age; the intense E-cadherin cytoplasmic staining that was observed at 3 mo was absent by 24 mo, and no occludin or ZO-1 reactivity was observed in older animals. The greatest penetration of lanthanum nitrate across the blood-epididymis barrier and in the lumen was seen in the aging corpus epididymidis, while there was no barrier permeability in the initial segment or cauda epididymidis of the aged animals. Taken together, these data indicate that there are segment-specific decreases in the structural and functional integrity of the blood-epididymis barrier with age, most notably in the corpus epididymidis.     

Mammomonogamus laryngeus (Railliet, 1899) infections in cattle from Sri Lanka

During one year 1249 male cattle were examined for Mammomonogamus laryngeus infections in the slaughterhouse at Kandy, Sri Lanka. The overall prevalence was 40% with only light monthly variations (34 to 52%). The infection rate was highest (47%) in 2 to 2.5 year old animals. In infected animals an average of 6.4 parasite pairs was found with higher numbers in older animals. The majority of worms were located on the posterior side of the epiglottis. Lesions observed were mucosal plugs at the site where the parasites were attached to the mucosa and moderate to severe erosions and ulcers in other zones.