Serologic survey for canine distemper and infectious canine hepatitis in wolves in Alaska

Sera from 57 wolves (Canis lupus) in three areas of Alaska were evaluated for evidence of previous exposure to infectious canine hepatitis virus (ICHV) and canine distemper virus (CDV). Fifty-four sera (94.7%) were positive for ICHV exposure and four (7%) were positive for CDV exposure. All four CDV-reacting wolves also had titres to ICHV. The relatively common occurrence of ICHV exposure may be due to the greater resistance of ICHV to chemical and physical agents and its transmissibility via the urine of infected animals. The ICHV titres observed could indicate enzootic pathogenic ICHV, or exposure to the mildly pathogenic vaccine strain of CAV-1 through contact with the urine of domestic dogs. If CAV-1 is the original source of exposure, the titres could represent an ICHV-protected wolf population.     

Serological survey for selected diseases in the endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica)

Blood from endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) inhabiting the Elk Hills Naval Petroleum Reserve, Kern County, and the Elkhorn Plain, San Luis Obispo County, California, was collected in 1981, 1982 and 1984 and sera were tested for antibodies against 10 selected pathogens. Proportions of kit fox sera containing antibodies against pathogens were: canine parvovirus, 100% in 1981-1982 and 67% in 1984; infectious canine hepatitis virus, 6% in 1981-1982 and 21% in 1984; canine distemper virus, none in 1981-1982 and 14% in 1984; Francisella tularensis, 8% in 1981-1982 and 31% in 1984; Brucella abortus, 8% in 1981-1982 and 3% in 1984; Brucella canis, 14% in 1981-1982 and none in 1984; Toxoplasma gondii, 6% in 1981-1982; Coccidioides immitis, 3% in 1981-1982; and Yersinia pestis and Leptospira interrogans serotypes canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona, none in 1981-1982. Although antibodies against selected pathogens were present, no clinical indications of disease were observed in these fox populations.     

Serologic survey of select infectious diseases in coyotes and raccoons in Nebraska

To obtain data about select zoonotic and other infectious diseases in free-ranging predators in five ecoregions in Nebraska, sera were collected from 67 coyotes (Canis latrans) and 63 raccoons (Procyon lotor) from November 2002 through January 2003. For coyotes, antibodies were detected against canine distemper virus (CDV, 61%), Francisella tularensis (32%), Rickettsia rickettsi (13%), and flaviviruses (48%). None of the coyote sera had antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, Brucella canis, or six serovars of Leptospira interrogans. Because serologic cross-reactivity exists among flaviviruses, 14 sera from flavivirus-positive coyotes were also tested for St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLE) antibodies and two (14%) were positive, suggesting that up to 48% of coyotes tested had antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV). For raccoons, antibodies were detected against CDV (33%), F. tularensis (38%), and three serovars of L. interrogans (11%).     

Serologic survey for canine infectious diseases among sympatric swift foxes (Vulpes velox) and coyotes (Canis latrans) in southeastern Colorado

Swift foxes (Vulpes velox) and coyotes (Canis latrans) are sympatric canids distributed throughout many regions of the Great Plains of North America. The prevalence of canid diseases among these two species where they occur sympatrically is presently unknown. From January 1997 to January 2001, we collected blood samples from 89 swift foxes and 122 coyotes on the US Army Pi?on Canyon Maneuver Site, Las Animas County, SE Colorado (USA). Seroprevalence of antibodies against canine parvovirus (CPV) was 71% for adult (> 9 mo old) and 38% for juvenile (< or = 9 mo old) swift foxes. Adult (<1 yr old) and juvenile (<1 yr old) coyotes had a seroprevalence for CPV of 96% and 78%, respectively. Presence of antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV) was 5% for adult foxes and 0% for juvenile foxes. Seroprevalence of CDV was 46% for adult coyotes and 18% for juvenile coyotes. No swift foxes had canine adenovirus (CAV) antibodies, whereas 81% and 63% of adult and juvenile coyotes, respectively, had antibodies for CAV. Seroprevalence of antibodies against Yersinia pestis was 68% among adult foxes and 34% among juvenile swift foxes. Seroprevalence of Y. pestis antibodies was 90% and 70% for adult and juvenile coyotes, respectively. No swift foxes had antibodies against Francisella tularensis, whereas seroprevalence was 4% among both adult and juvenile coyotes. Antibodies against CPV and plague were common in both species, whereas antibodies against CDV and CAV were more prevalent in coyotes compared to swift foxes.     

Effect of maternally derived antibody levels on antibody responses to canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus and infectious canine hepatitis virus after vaccinations in beagle puppies

Antibody titers against canine parvovirus (CPV), canine distemper virus (CDV) and infectious canine hepatitis virus (ICHV) in serum were measured in 6 beagle dams and their 38 puppies bred in our colony, in order to clarify the effects of maternally derived antibodies to antibody responses against the viruses after vaccinations in puppies. Correlation coefficient on antibody titers between puppies and dams were CPV: r = 0. 7935, CDV: r = 0.8194 and ICHV: r = 0.8105. Mean maternal antibody positive rates in 7-day-old puppies from their dams were CPV: 67%, CDV: 46% and ICHV: 45%. Mean half-lives of the maternal antibodies in puppies were estimated to be CPV: 13.5 days, CDV: 15.1 days and ICHV: 15.4 days. The antibody response against CPV vaccination in puppies was mainly observed in dogs being titers of less 1:5 and positivity was 39% (15/38 puppies) after 1st vaccination at 42 days after birth, and 82% (31/38 puppies) after 2nd vaccination at 70 days. That against CDV vaccination (at 56 days after birth) was seen highly in dogs being titers of less 1:10 and positivity was 53% (20/38). Also that against ICHV vaccination (at 56 days after birth) was seen frequently in dogs being titers of less 20 holds and the rate was 87% (33/38). From these results, it was estimated that the age when high antibody response against each vaccination could be expected in puppies might be CPV: between 40 and 69 days, CDV: between 32 and 92 days and ICHV: between 31 and 52 days, respectively.     

Survey of antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. in gray and red fox populations from North Carolina and Virginia

American trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis are caused by related hemoflagellate parasites, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp., which share several common host species. Both zoonotic protozoans are endemic in the United States. Canines, including domestic and wild canids, are reservoir hosts for human infections with T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. The present study examined the seroprevalence of T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. in wild canids from North Carolina and Virginia. Wild canine species tested in this work included 49 gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and 5 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Overall, sera samples from 54 foxes (North Carolina = 43; Virginia = 11) were tested by immunochromatographic strip assays (ICT). Antibodies to T. cruzi were found in 4 (9%) gray foxes from North Carolina and 2 (18%) gray foxes from Virginia. Antibodies to Leishmania spp. were detected in 1 (2%) gray fox from North Carolina. Our results indicate that wild canids are exposed more frequently to T. cruzi in North Carolina than Leishmania spp. and only T. cruzi in Virginia.     

Morbidity and mortality of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, 1993-2001

The medical records of 48 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 35 gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) examined at the Wildlife Center of Virginia (Waynesboro, Virginia, USA) from 1993 to 2001 were reviewed. The most common diagnosis in red foxes was orphaned (33%), followed by trauma (27%), undetermined diagnosis (23%), and sarcoptic mange (17%). Trauma (46%) was the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in gray foxes followed by orphaned (23%), undetermined (20%), toxoplasmosis (6%), presumptive canine distemper (3%), and rabies (3%). One gray fox had concurrent toxoplasmosis and presumptive canine distemper (3%). Similar diseases were detected in previous studies at a diagnostic laboratory; however in this study, trauma and orphaned animals were more common than infectious diseases. The lack of diagnostic information on some cases limited the usefulness of this study, and more emphasis should be placed on performing postmortem examinations of wildlife presented to wildlife rehabilitation centers.     

Serologic survey for antibodies to canine distemper virus in collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) populations in Arizona

In 1989, a disease outbreak was observed among collared peccaries (javelina, Tayassu tajacu) in southern Arizona (USA) and canine distemper virus (CDV) was isolated from affected animals. Subsequently, 364 sera were collected from hunter-harvested javelina over a 4 yr period (1993-96) and were tested for antibody to CDV. Neutralizing antibody to CDV was detected in 58% of the serum samples suggesting that CDV infection is probably enzootic in the collared peccary populations of southern Arizona.     

Rabies and canine distemper in an arctic fox population in Alaska

Two oil field workers were attacked by a rabid arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) in the Prudhoe Bay oil field (Alaska, USA) prompting officials to reduce the local fox population. Ninety-nine foxes were killed during winter 1994. We tested foxes for prevalence of rabies and canine distemper. Exposure to rabies was detected in five of 99 foxes. Of the five, only one fox had rabies virus in neural tissue as determined by the direct fluorescent antibody test. The other four foxes had been exposed to rabies, but had apparently produced antibodies and did not have an active infection. No evidence of canine distemper was detected as determined by the absence of distemper antibodies in serum and distemper virus in neural tissue.     

Serologic survey for selected disease agents in wolves (Canis lupus) from Alaska and the Yukon Territory, 1984-2000

Wolves (Canis lupus) were captured in several geographic areas of Alaska (USA) and the Yukon Territory (Canada) during 1984-2000. Blood was collected from 1,122 animals. Sera were tested for antibodies against infectious canine hepatitis virus (ICH), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), Francisella tularensis, and serovars of Leptospira interrogans. Antibody prevalence for ICH was >84% for all areas. Area-specific prevalences of antibodies ranged from 12% to 70% for CPV, from 0% to 41% for CDV, and from 4% to 21% for F. tularensis. There was no evidence of CDV exposure at the two southernmost locations in Alaska. Prevalence of antibodies for ICH increased slightly during the 16-yr course of the survey. There was essentially no evidence of exposure to L. interrogans. Prevalences of antibodies for both CPV and CDV were age-specific, with higher values in the adult cohort compared with the pup cohort. There were no sex-specific differences in prevalence of antibodies for any of the five disease agents.     

Exposure to feline and canine pathogens in bobcats and gray foxes in urban and rural zones of a national park in California

Exposure of bobcats (Lynx rufus) and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) to a range of common canine and feline pathogens was assessed in urban and rural zones of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a National Park in the San Francisco Bay Area, (California, USA) from 1992 to 1995. Testing included serology for canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus (CPV), canine adenovirus, Leptospira interrogans, feline calicivirus (FCV), feline panleukopenia virus, feline herpesvirus, feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, Toxoplasma gondii, and Bartonella henselae. Testing was also performed for Dirofilaria immitis. Significantly more gray foxes were seropositive for CPV in the urban zone than in the rural zone. In addition, radio-tracking of gray foxes in the rural zone indicated that all three of the rural CPV-seropositive foxes had traveled into adjoining small towns, whereas only one of the 11 seronegative animals had done so. Significantly more bobcats were seropositive for FCV in the rural zone than in the urban zone. Individual bobcats with positive FCV antibody titers had patterns of movement that intercepted park inholdings where domestic cats lived. Bobcat samples were seronegative for all five of the other viral feline pathogens, with the exception of a FECV-seropositive bobcat. High seroprevalence was detected for B. henselae and T. gondii in both zones. Variation in the seroprevalence for different pathogens might be related to differences in the exposure of bobcats and foxes to domestic animals: in the urban zone, gray foxes were located in residential areas outside the park, whereas bobcats were not. Although for most of the pathogens examined there was no relationship between urbanization and exposure, our results for CPV in foxes and FCV in bobcats indicated that proximity to urban areas or contact with humans can increase the risk of disease exposure for wild carnivore populations. Combining behavioral information from radio-tracking with data on pathogen exposure or disease incidence can provide valuable insights into the ecology of wildlife disease that might be missed with broad-scale, population-level comparisons alone.     

Morbillivirus ecology in polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) morbillivirus infection was initially reported by Follmann and co-workers in 1996, based upon serologic results using canine distemper virus (CDV). The impetus for the evaluation of polar bear populations for morbillivirus infections was prompted by epidemics of canine distemper-like disease in seal populations in the north Atlantic regions of Greenland, Europe, and Russia. Since marine morbilliviruses have been further characterized into three major species, phocine distemper virus (PDV), dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) and porpoise morbillivirus (PMV), it was of value to determine the origin of the polar bear infection. One hundred serum samples were selected from a group of sera collected from regions of Alaska and Russia and tested by differential serum neutralization assay against the three major marine morbilliviruses and CDV, to determine the predominant virus infecting the polar bear. Polar bears had higher serum antibody titers to CDV than they did to PDV, DMV, and PMV. These data suggest that polar bears are being infected with a morbillivirus of terrestrial origin. Furthermore, based on the high serum antibody prevalence in the population, the virus may be indigenous to the polar bear and not necessarily the result of interspecies transmission from other arctic mammals susceptible to CDV and/or marine morbilliviruses. Accepted: 20 December 1999     

Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in naturally exposed wild coyotes, red foxes, and gray foxes and serologic diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in red foxes fed T. gondii oocysts and tissue cysts

Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were determined in sera from 222 coyotes (Canis latrans), 283 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and 97 gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio during 1990-1993. Sera were examined in 1:25, 1:100, and 1:500 dilutions by the modified direct agglutination test (MAT) with formalinized whole tachyzoites plus mercaptoethanol. Antibodies were found in 131 (59.0%) of 222 coyotes, 243 (85.9%) of 283 red foxes, and 73 (75.3%) of 97 gray foxes. Antibodies were also measured by different serologic tests in 4 littermate T. gondii-free red foxes fed T. gondii tissue cysts or oocysts; the fifth littermate fox was not fed T. gondii. Antibodies were measured in fox sera obtained 0, 14, and 36-55 days after infection with T. gondii. All 4 foxes fed T. gondii developed MAT and dye test antibody titers of 1:200 or more 14 days later. The latex agglutination test (LAT) and indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) were less sensitive than MAT for the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in foxes. Antibodies were not detected by LAT (titer 1:64) in the 2 foxes fed tissue cysts nor by IHAT in 1 of the foxes fed tissue cysts. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated by bioassay in mice from tissues of all 4 foxes fed T. gondii. The control fox had no T. gondii antibodies detectable by any of the serologic tests.     

Diseases and parasites of red foxes, gray foxes, and coyotes from commercial sources selling to fox-chasing enclosures.

Fifty-six red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 18 gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and 13 coyotes (Canis latrans) obtained by the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department during an investigation of suspected illegal wildlife translocation were examined for diseases and parasites. Red foxes and coyotes were confiscated from an animal dealer based in Ohio (USA), and gray foxes were purchased from an animal dealer in Indiana (USA). Emphasis was placed on detection of pathogens representing potential health risks to native wildlife, domestic animals, or humans. All animals were negative for rabies; however, 15 gray foxes were incubating canine distemper at necropsy. Serologic tests disclosed antibodies to canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus, canine coronavirus, canine herpesvirus, and canine parainfluenza virus in one or more host species. Twenty-three species of parasites (two protozoans, three trematodes, four cestodes, eleven nematodes, and three arthropods) were found, including species with substantial pathogenic capabilities. Echinococcus multilocularis, a recognized human pathogen not enzootic in the southeastern United States, was found in red foxes. Based on this information, we conclude that the increasingly common practice of wild canid translocation for stocking fox-chasing enclosures poses potential health risks to indigenous wildlife, domestic animals, and humans and, therefore, is biologically hazardous.     

圈养小熊猫几种病毒的PCR检测

本文采用巢式PCR/ RT-PCR 方法,对我国10 个动物园中无临床症状的圈养小熊猫的71 个肛拭子和61 个唾液拭子样品,进行犬瘟热病毒(CDV)、犬细小病毒(CPV)、犬冠状病毒(CCV)、犬腺病毒(CAV)和犬疱疹病毒(CHV)的检测,以评估我国圈养小熊猫是否面临这几种病毒的威胁。对阳性PCR 结果进行测序分析,并与GenBank 上的序列进行比较。结果,在肛拭子样品中检测到3 个CPV 和6 个CCV 阳性结果,经测序后,与GenBank 上序列的同源性分别达99% 和100% 。而在唾液拭子样品中没有检测到任何阳性结果,且CDV、CAV和CCV 的检测结果均为阴性。从阳性CPV 的肛拭子样品中分离到一株细小病毒毒株,表明圈养小熊猫已受到细小病毒和犬冠状病毒的感染,今后应加强这两种病毒的预防工作。本文所采用的PCR 方法检测病毒性疾病,能检测到微量的病毒模板,可对小熊猫病毒性感染进行早期诊断。     

A serosurvey of viral infections in lions (Panthera leo), from Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Serum samples from 14 lions (Panthera leo) from Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, were collected during 1998 and 1999 to determine infectious disease exposure in this threatened population. Sera were analyzed for antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus 1 (feline rhinotracheitis: FHV1), feline/canine parvovirus (FPV/CPV), feline infectious peritonitis virus (feline coronavirus: FIPV), and canine distemper virus (CDV) or for the presence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigens. Ten lions (71%) had antibodies against FIV, 11 (79%) had antibodies against CDV, 11 (79%) had antibodies against FCV, nine (64%) had antibodies against FHV1, and five (36%) had antibodies against FPV. Two of the 11 CDV-seropositive lions were subadults, indicating recent exposure of this population to CDV or a CDV-like virus. No lions had evidence of exposure to FeLV or FIPV. These results indicate that this endangered population has extensive exposure to common feline and canine viruses.     

Serologic survey for selected infectious disease agents in swift and kit foxes from the western United States

A serologic survey of swift fox (Vulpes velox) and kit fox (V. macrotis) from the western USA was conducted for 12 infectious diseases. Samples from swift fox were collected between 1987 and 1992 from Colorado (n = 44), Kansas (n = 10), and Wyoming (n = 9). Samples from kit fox were collected in California (n = 86), New Mexico (n = 18), Utah (n = 9), and Arizona (n = 6). Overall antibody prevalence rates were 33 of 110 (30%) for canine parvovirus (CPV), 9 of 72 (13%) for canine distemper virus (CDV), 23 of 117 (20%) for vesicular stomatitis New Jersey, 16 of 117 (14%) for vesicular stomatitis Indiana, six of 117 (5%) for Cache Valley virus, five of 117 (4%) for Jamestown Canyon virus, one of 97 (1%) for rabies virus, one of 117 (1%) for Colorado tick fever virus, and one of 117 (1%) for western equine encephalitis virus. In addition, antibodies were not found to Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, and Borrelia burgdorferi in serum from 25 Colorado swift fox. Adult swift fox from Colorado had serologic evidence of exposure to CPV more often than juveniles. No juvenile swift fox from Colorado had serum antibodies to CDV. There were season-specific differences in serum antibody prevalence for CPV for swift fox from Colorado. No viruses were isolated from ectoparasites or fox from Colorado.     

Prevalence of antibodies against canine distemper virus among red foxes in Luxembourg

Canine distemper virus (CDV) has a wide host spectrum, and during the past years, distemper has been observed in species that were previously not considered to be susceptible. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of CDV-specific antibodies in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) sampled between May and November 1997. About 9 to 13% of the Luxembourg red fox population is positive for antibodies against CDV. Thus a sizeable proportion of red foxes has been exposed to CDV in the wild. The significance of CDV in red foxes is discussed.     

犬瘟热病毒（CDV）ELISA检测方法的建立与应用

目的建立犬CDV抗体ELISA检测方法。方法培养vero细胞,接种CDV病毒,制备vero正常抗原和CDV特异抗原,滴定酶结合物和抗原最佳工作浓度,并进行精密性、敏感性、稳定性、特异性实验。结果正常、特异抗原和酶结合物最佳工作浓度分别为1∶32 000、10μg/mL和1∶8 000;正常、特异抗原批内变异系数分别为9.1%和5.8%,批间平均变异系数分别为8.8%和6.6%;检测灵敏度为1∶2 560;与犬细小病毒（CPV）、犬肝炎病毒（ICHV）均无交叉反应。稳定性试验相对偏差小于25%。结论建立的ELISA方法重复性、稳定性好,特异性、敏感性强。可用于犬CDV抗体的检测。     

Prevalence of antibodies against canine parvovirus and canine distemper virus in wild coyotes in southeastern Colorado.

Serum from 72 wild coyotes (Canis latrans) in southeastern Colorado (USA) was collected and analyzed for prevalence of antibody to canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine distemper virus (CDV) from 1985 to 1988. The prevalence of antibodies to CPV and CDV was 71% and 57%, respectively, for the 4 yr of the study. Prevalence of antibody to CPV did not differ among years, between sexes, or with age. Prevalence of antibody to CDV did not differ among years or between sexes, but was significantly higher in adults (62%) than juveniles (33%). Prevalence of antibodies against CPV and CDV in southeastern Colorado was comparable to results reported in other serologic surveys in the western United States.