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Sauli Laaksonen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • microbial contamination of moose Alces Alces and white tailed deer odocoileus virginianus carcasses harvested by hunters
    Food Microbiology, 2019
    Co-Authors: Mikaela Sauvala, Sauli Laaksonen, Riikka Laukkanenninios, Katri Jalava, Roger Stephan, Maria Fredrikssonahomaa
    Abstract:

    Hunting is currently a very popular activity, and interest in game meat is increasing. However, only limited research is available on the bacterial quality and safety of moose (Alces Alces) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) harvested by hunters. Poor hunting hygiene can spread bacteria onto the carcasses, and inadequate chilling of the carcasses may increase the bacterial load on the carcass surface. We studied the bacterial contamination level on carcasses of 100 moose and 100 white-tailed deer shot in southern Finland. Hunters eviscerated carcasses in the field and skinned them in small slaughter facilities. During the sampling, same person visited 25 facilities located in 12 municipalities of four provinces. Moose carcasses had mean mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB), Enterobacteriaceae (EB) and Escherichia coli (EC) values of 4.2, 2.6 and 1.2 log10 cfu/cm2, respectively, while deer carcass values were 4.5, 1.5 and 0.7 log10 cfu/cm2, respectively. Moose carcasses were significantly more contaminated with EB and EC than deer carcasses. High bacterial counts (MAB>5.0 log10 cfu/cm2 and EB > 2.5 log10 cfu/cm2) on the carcasses were associated with the smallest facilities having only one room. The outdoor temperature and days between hunting and sampling affected the bacterial counts. High EB counts on the carcasses indicated a gut hit. Male gender was significantly more contaminated by EC and meat-borne pathogenic bacteria: Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., enteropathogenic Yersinia spp., stx-harbouring EC (STEC) and Listeria monocytogenes. STEC (28/200) and L. monocytogenes (20/200) were the most commonly detected bacteria by PCR. L. monocytogenes isolates of different sequence types (ST7, 18, 29, 37, 249, 412, 451 and 611) belonged to serotypes 1/2a (seven isolates) and 4b (three isolates). The virulence gene ail was detected in four Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1A isolates and one Yersinia kristensenii isolate. The bacterial counts on the moose and deer carcasses varied highly, and more attention should be paid to hunting hygiene and training of hunters. Game meat may be a source of meat-borne pathogens, and close attention should therefore be paid when handling and preparing game.

  • spatial structure in european moose Alces Alces genetic data reveal a complex population history
    Journal of Biogeography, 2014
    Co-Authors: Magdalena Niedzialkowska, Erling Johan Solberg, Kris J Hundertmark, Bogumila Jedrzejewska, Krzysztof Niedzialkowski, Vadim E Sidorovich, Marcin Gorny, Rauno Veeroja, Sauli Laaksonen
    Abstract:

    Aim Moose, Alces Alces (Linnaeus, 1758), survived the European Pleistocene glaciations in multiple southern refugia, in a northern refugium near the Carpathians and possibly in other locations. During the second millennium ad, moose were nearly extirpated in Europe and only recolonized their current range after World War II. The number and location of refugia during the Pleistocene and recent population lows may have affected the current genetic diversity. We sought to characterize the genetic diversity in European moose in order to determine its genetic structure and the location of genetic hotspots as a way of inferring its population history and the number of Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) refugia. Location Europe. Methods We sequenced 538 nucleotides from the mitochondrial control region of 657 moose from throughout the species' European range. We estimated diversity within and among 16 sampling localities, and used samova to cluster sampling locations into subpopulations. We constructed phylogenetic trees and median-joining networks to examine systematic relationships, and conducted Bayesian analysis of the coalescent and used mismatch distributions and approximate Bayesian computation to infer demographic history. Results Estonia had the highest nucleotide diversity, and western Belarus had the highest haplotype diversity. We observed four regional populations from the samova analysis. We found three haplogroups in European moose, probably representing lineages conserved in different refugia during the Pleistocene. European moose underwent spatial expansion after the LGM, but did not undergo demographic expansion. The effective population size has declined markedly within the last 2000 years. Main conclusions The current levels and distribution of genetic diversity in European moose indicate the effects both of Pleistocene glaciations and of a recent bottleneck, probably associated with anthropogenic influences such as pastoralization and hunting, and a very recent re-expansion. We show that both historical and recent events can influence the diversity and distribution of a large mammal on a large scale.

  • gastrointestinal nematodes of moose Alces Alces in relation to supplementary feeding
    Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2013
    Co-Authors: Jos M Milner, Sari J Wedul, Sauli Laaksonen, Antti Oksanen
    Abstract:

    Winter supplementary feeding of wildlife is controversial because it may promote parasite and disease transmission by host aggregation. We investigated the effect of winter supplemental feeding of Scandinavian moose (Alces Alces) on gastrointestinal (GI) parasite infection in two counties of southern Norway by comparing fecal egg counts of moose using, and not using, feeding stations between January 2007 and March 2010. We identified three different GI nematodes based on egg morphology. All three were found in Hedmark county while in Telemark county we found only Trichuris sp. (prevalence 33%). Prevalence of Trichostrongylidae (65%) and Nematodirus sp. (26%) in Hedmark was not affected by feeding station use. However, the probability of infection varied significantly between years sampled (Trichostrongylidae) and age class (Nematodirus sp.). Fecal egg counts (FEC), a proxy for intensity of infection, of Trichostrongylidae were higher in the year when winter weather conditions were more challenging and prevalence was higher, and decreased with increasing body mass. Adult moose had higher FECs than did juvenile moose, and female juveniles had lower abundances than did male juveniles. Use of feeding stations did not affect probability of infection with any of the nematodes or intensity of infection with Trichostrongylidae. We discuss our findings in terms of parasite life histories and recommend that parasitologic surveillance be included in the monitoring of feeding programs.

  • The effects of an abundant ectoparasite, the deer ked (Lipoptena cervi), on the health of moose (Alces Alces) in Finland
    Parasitology Research, 2012
    Co-Authors: Tommi Paakkonen, Sauli Laaksonen, Anne-mari Mustonen, Reijo Käkelä, Milla Solismaa, Jari Aho, Katri Puukka, Petteri Nieminen
    Abstract:

    The deer ked ( Lipoptena cervi , Diptera, Hippoboscidae) is a haematophagous parasitic fly of the moose ( Alces Alces ) and other cervids, and it is very common in southern and central parts of Finland. The aim of this study was to determine how the intensive parasitism caused by the deer ked affects the health and welfare of the moose. Moose blood samples ( n  = 78) were collected from deer ked-infested and ked-free regions at 62–68° N and analysed for haematology and clinical chemistry. In addition, tissue samples of moose ( n  = 23) were collected from a deer ked-infested region at 62° N to determine how the parasite load correlates to several physiological variables of the host. The differences in the blood and plasma values between the deer ked-free and ked-infested animals were minor. In the infested regions, the moose had higher mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentrations unlikely to have been caused by the parasitism. The intensities of deer keds had no consistent correlations with the values of plasma clinical chemistry, endocrinology, amino acids, tissue enzyme activities or body energy stores. However, the hepatic percentages of several individual n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the n-3 PUFA sum correlated inversely with the intensity and density of deer keds. Although a wide array of physiological variables was determined, only minor effects caused by the heavy deer ked parasitism could be detected, suggesting that the moose might tolerate this parasite relatively well.

Bjornar Ytrehus - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • hair cortisol concentration and body mass in moose Alces Alces infested with deer keds lipoptena cervi
    Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2020
    Co-Authors: Knut Madslien, Erling Johan Solberg, Bjornar Ytrehus, Hildegunn Viljugrein, Atle Mysterud, Solveig Marie Stubsjoen, Lucy Kapronczai, Jacques Godfroid, David M Janz, Marc R L Cattet
    Abstract:

    The deer ked (Lipoptena cervi), a hematophagous ectoparasite of cervids, is currently spreading in Scandinavia, and the moose (Alces Alces) is its main host. However, little is known about the impact of deer keds on moose. We analyzed the hair cortisol concentration (HCC) from 262 moose harvested in the fall in relation to age class, sex, body mass (BM), and deer ked infestation intensity, and BM in relation to age class, sex, and infestation intensity. We found that HCC decreased with increasing deer ked intensity at low ked intensities, but for the higher levels of ked intensities, there was a positive relationship between HCC and ked intensity. The HCC was higher in males than in females and lower in yearlings than in calves and adults. Our failure to find any association between BM and deer ked intensity suggested a negligible impact of deer ked infestation on moose foraging and metabolism at the level of infestation observed early in the infestation, but did not exclude an effect later in winter. Our findings suggested that moose generally tolerated moderate parasitism by keds. However, the increase in HCC at higher ked intensities suggested that the tolerance strategy could be disrupted with further increases in intensities and consequently may negatively affect animal health and welfare.

  • bartonella infections in deer keds lipoptena cervi and moose Alces Alces in norway
    Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Samuel Duodu, Knut Madslien, Eva Hjelm, Ylva Molin, Anna Paziewskaharris, P D Harris, Duncan J Colquhoun, Bjornar Ytrehus
    Abstract:

    Infections with Bartonella spp. have been recognized as emerging zoonotic diseases in humans. Large knowledge gaps exist, however, relating to reservoirs, vectors, and transmission of these bacteria. We describe identification by culture, PCR, and housekeeping gene sequencing of Bartonella spp. in fed, wingless deer keds (Lipoptena cervi), deer ked pupae, and blood samples collected from moose, Alces Alces, sampled within the deer ked distribution range in Norway. Direct sequencing from moose blood sampled in a deer ked-free area also indicated Bartonella infection but at a much lower prevalence. The sequencing data suggested the presence of mixed infections involving two species of Bartonella within the deer ked range, while moose outside the range appeared to be infected with a single species. Bartonella were not detected or cultured from unfed winged deer keds. The results may indicate that long-term bacteremia in the moose represents a reservoir of infection and that L. cervi acts as a vector for the spread of infection of Bartonella spp. Further research is needed to evaluate the role of L. cervi in the transmission of Bartonella to animals and humans and the possible pathogenicity of these bacteria for humans and animals.

  • Factors affecting deer ked (Lipoptena cervi) prevalence and infestation intensity in moose (Alces Alces) in Norway
    Parasites & Vectors, 2012
    Co-Authors: Knut Madslien, Bjornar Ytrehus, Hildegunn Viljugrein, Erling J Solberg, Kent Rudi Bråten, Atle Mysterud
    Abstract:

    Background The deer ked ( Lipoptena cervi ), a hematophagous ectoparasite of Cervids, is currently spreading in Scandinavia. In Norway, keds are now invading the south-eastern part of the country and the abundant and widely distributed moose ( Alces Alces ) is the definitive host. However, key factors for ked abundance are poorly elucidated. The objectives of our study were to (i) determine deer ked infestation prevalence and intensity on moose and (ii) evaluate if habitat characteristics and moose population density are determinants of deer ked abundance on moose. Methods In order to identify key factors for deer ked abundance, a total of 350 skin samples from the neck of hunted moose were examined and deer keds counted. Infestation intensity was analyzed in relation to moose age and sex, moose population density and landscape characteristics surrounding the killing site. Results Deer ked infestation prevalence was 100%, but infestation intensity varied from 0.001 to 1.405 keds/cm^2. Ked intensity was highest in male yearlings (~1.5 years) and positively associated with longitude and Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) dominated habitat and negatively associated with bogs and latitude. Moose population density during autumn showed a tendency to be positively associated, while altitude tended to be negatively associated with ked intensity. Conclusions Deer keds exploit the whole moose population within our study area, but are most prevalent in areas dominated by Scots pine. This is probably a reflection of Scots pine being the preferred winter browse for moose in areas with highest moose densities in winter. Ked intensity decreases towards the northwest and partly with increasing altitude, probably explained by the direction of dispersal and reduced temperature, respectively. Abundant deer ked harm humans and domestic animals. Moose management authorities should therefore be aware of the close relationship between moose, deer ked and habitat, using the knowledge as a management tool for locally regulating the ked burden.

  • hair loss epizootic in moose Alces Alces associated with massive deer ked lipoptena cervi infestation
    Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2011
    Co-Authors: Knut Madslien, Turid Vikoren, Bjornar Ytrehus, Jonas Malmsten, Ketil Isaksen, Hans Olav Hygen, Erling J Solberg
    Abstract:

    Deer keds (Lipoptena cervi) are blood-sucking flies in the family Hippoboscidae; moose (Alces Alces) are their main host in Scandinavia. There are no detailed reports of the negative impacts of deer keds on moose. In 2006 and 2007, hunters in southeastern Norway and midwestern Sweden found several moose cadavers with severe alopecia; numerous moose had extensive hair loss. Between February 2006 and June 2007, materials from 23 moose were submitted for laboratory examination and large numbers of deer keds were found in the coat of most animals. The body condition of the moose varied but was poor in animals with severe alopecia. The findings of enormous numbers of deer keds in the coat of the majority of the affected animals and a consistent histologic image (acute to chronic, multifocal to coalescing, eosinophilic to lymphocytic dermatitis), concurrent with the absence of any other lesions, trace element deficiencies, or dermal infections which are known to cause alopecia, suggest that the hair-loss epizoo...

  • prevalence of borrelia burgdorferi in ixodes ricinus ticks collected from moose Alces Alces and roe deer capreolus capreolus in southern norway
    Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2011
    Co-Authors: Vivian Kjelland, Bjornar Ytrehus, Snorre Stuen, Tone Skarpaas, Audun Slettan
    Abstract:

    As part of a larger survey, ears from 18 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and 52 moose (Alces Alces) shot in the 2 southernmost counties in Norway were collected and examined for Ixodes ricinus ticks. Seventy-two adult ticks, 595 nymphs, and 267 larvae from the roe deer, and 182 adult ticks, 433 nymphs, and 70 larvae from the moose were investigated for infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.). The results showed the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. DNA in 2.9% of the nymphs collected from roe deer and in 4.4% of the nymphs and 6.0% of the adults collected from moose. The spirochetes were not detected in adult ticks from roe deer, or in larvae feeding on roe deer or moose. In comparison, the mean infection prevalences in questing I. ricinus collected from the same geographical area were 0.5% infection in larvae, 24.5% in nymphs, and 26.9% in adults. The most prevalent B. burgdorferi genospecies identified in ticks collected from roe deer was B. afzelii (76.5%), followed by B. garinii (17.6%), and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (5.9%). Only B. afzelii (76.7%) and B. garinii (23.3%) were detected in ticks collected from moose. The present study indicates a lower prevalence of B. burgdorferi infection in I. ricinus ticks feeding on roe deer and moose compared to questing ticks. This is the first study to report B. burgdorferi s.l. prevalence in ticks removed from cervids in Norway.

Steven A Nadler - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • transuterine infection by baylisascaris transfuga neurological migration and fatal debilitation in sibling moose calves Alces Alces gigas from alaska
    International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife, 2018
    Co-Authors: Eric P Hoberg, Kathleen A Burekhuntington, Lauren Camp, Kimberlee B Beckmen, Steven A Nadler
    Abstract:

    Abstract Larval Baylisascaris nematodes (L3), resulting from transuterine infection and neural migration, were discovered in the cerebrum of sibling moose calves (Alces Alces gigas) near 1–3 days in age from Alaska. We provide the first definitive identification, linking morphology, biogeography, and molecular phylogenetics, of Baylisascaris transfuga in naturally infected ungulates. Life history and involvement of paratenic hosts across a broader assemblage of mammals, from rodents to ungulates, in the transmission of B. transfuga remains undefined. Neural infections, debilitating young moose, may seasonally predispose calves to predation by brown bears, facilitating transmission to definitive hosts. Discovery of fatal neurological infections by L3 of B. transfuga in mammalian hosts serves to demonstrate the potential for zoonotic infection, as widely established for B. procyonis, in other regions and where raccoon definitive hosts are abundant. In zones of sympatry for multi-species assemblages of Baylisascaris across the Holarctic region presumptive identification of B. procyonis in cases of neurological larval migrans must be considered with caution. Diagnostics in neural and somatic larval migrans involving species of Baylisascaris in mammalian and other vertebrate hosts should include molecular-based and authoritative identification established in a phylogenetic context.

  • Transuterine infection by Baylisascaris transfuga: Neurological migration and fatal debilitation in sibling moose calves (Alces Alces gigas) from Alaska
    'Elsevier BV', 2018
    Co-Authors: Eric P Hoberg, Kimberlee B Beckmen, Kathleen Burek-huntington, Lauren E. Camp, Steven A Nadler
    Abstract:

    Larval Baylisascaris nematodes (L3), resulting from transuterine infection and neural migration, were discovered in the cerebrum of sibling moose calves (Alces Alces gigas) near 1–3 days in age from Alaska. We provide the first definitive identification, linking morphology, biogeography, and molecular phylogenetics, of Baylisascaris transfuga in naturally infected ungulates. Life history and involvement of paratenic hosts across a broader assemblage of mammals, from rodents to ungulates, in the transmission of B. transfuga remains undefined. Neural infections, debilitating young moose, may seasonally predispose calves to predation by brown bears, facilitating transmission to definitive hosts. Discovery of fatal neurological infections by L3 of B. transfuga in mammalian hosts serves to demonstrate the potential for zoonotic infection, as widely established for B. procyonis, in other regions and where raccoon definitive hosts are abundant. In zones of sympatry for multi-species assemblages of Baylisascaris across the Holarctic region presumptive identification of B. procyonis in cases of neurological larval migrans must be considered with caution. Diagnostics in neural and somatic larval migrans involving species of Baylisascaris in mammalian and other vertebrate hosts should include molecular-based and authoritative identification established in a phylogenetic context. Keywords: Baylisascaris transfuga, Neonatal infection, Transuterine migration, Neural larval migrans, Phylogenetic identification, Alces Alces giga

Petteri Nieminen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The effects of an abundant ectoparasite, the deer ked (Lipoptena cervi), on the health of moose (Alces Alces) in Finland
    Parasitology Research, 2012
    Co-Authors: Tommi Paakkonen, Sauli Laaksonen, Anne-mari Mustonen, Reijo Käkelä, Milla Solismaa, Jari Aho, Katri Puukka, Petteri Nieminen
    Abstract:

    The deer ked ( Lipoptena cervi , Diptera, Hippoboscidae) is a haematophagous parasitic fly of the moose ( Alces Alces ) and other cervids, and it is very common in southern and central parts of Finland. The aim of this study was to determine how the intensive parasitism caused by the deer ked affects the health and welfare of the moose. Moose blood samples ( n  = 78) were collected from deer ked-infested and ked-free regions at 62–68° N and analysed for haematology and clinical chemistry. In addition, tissue samples of moose ( n  = 23) were collected from a deer ked-infested region at 62° N to determine how the parasite load correlates to several physiological variables of the host. The differences in the blood and plasma values between the deer ked-free and ked-infested animals were minor. In the infested regions, the moose had higher mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentrations unlikely to have been caused by the parasitism. The intensities of deer keds had no consistent correlations with the values of plasma clinical chemistry, endocrinology, amino acids, tissue enzyme activities or body energy stores. However, the hepatic percentages of several individual n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the n-3 PUFA sum correlated inversely with the intensity and density of deer keds. Although a wide array of physiological variables was determined, only minor effects caused by the heavy deer ked parasitism could be detected, suggesting that the moose might tolerate this parasite relatively well.

  • parasitism of the deer ked lipoptena cervi on the moose Alces Alces in eastern finland
    Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2010
    Co-Authors: Tommi Paakkonen, A M Mustonen, Heikki Roininen, Pekka Niemela, V Ruusila, Petteri Nieminen
    Abstract:

    The deer ked, Lipoptena cervi L. (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), is an ectoparasitic fly that spread to Finland in the early 1960s from the southeast across the Soviet border. It is currently a common parasite of the moose, Alces Alces (Artiodactyla: Cervidae), in the southern part of the country and its area of distribution is gradually spreading to Finnish Lapland, where it will come into contact with another potential cervid host, the semi-domesticated reindeer, Rangifer tarandus tarandus. The aim of this study was to determine the intensity of deer ked parasitism on the moose in eastern Finland. Whole skins of 23 moose were examined for the presence of deer keds, which were extracted and their total numbers estimated. The intensity of deer ked parasitism was correlated to the age, sex, skin area and anatomical region of the host. Bulls had the highest total number of keds (10616 ± 1375) and the highest deer ked density (35.7 ± 4.4 keds/dm(2) of skin). Cows had a higher total number of keds than calves (3549 ± 587 vs. 1730 ± 191), but ked densities on cows and calves were roughly equal (11.8 ± 1.7 vs. 9.4 ± 1.1 keds/dm(2) of skin). The density of keds was highest on the anterior back, followed by the posterior back, front limbs, abdomen, head and hind limbs. The sex ratio of deer keds was close to equal (male : female, 1.0 : 1.1). After they had consumed blood, male keds were heavier than females. As the total numbers and densities of deer keds were higher than reported previously on moose or for any other louse fly species, the effects of parasitism on the health of the host species should be determined.

Knut Madslien - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • hair cortisol concentration and body mass in moose Alces Alces infested with deer keds lipoptena cervi
    Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2020
    Co-Authors: Knut Madslien, Erling Johan Solberg, Bjornar Ytrehus, Hildegunn Viljugrein, Atle Mysterud, Solveig Marie Stubsjoen, Lucy Kapronczai, Jacques Godfroid, David M Janz, Marc R L Cattet
    Abstract:

    The deer ked (Lipoptena cervi), a hematophagous ectoparasite of cervids, is currently spreading in Scandinavia, and the moose (Alces Alces) is its main host. However, little is known about the impact of deer keds on moose. We analyzed the hair cortisol concentration (HCC) from 262 moose harvested in the fall in relation to age class, sex, body mass (BM), and deer ked infestation intensity, and BM in relation to age class, sex, and infestation intensity. We found that HCC decreased with increasing deer ked intensity at low ked intensities, but for the higher levels of ked intensities, there was a positive relationship between HCC and ked intensity. The HCC was higher in males than in females and lower in yearlings than in calves and adults. Our failure to find any association between BM and deer ked intensity suggested a negligible impact of deer ked infestation on moose foraging and metabolism at the level of infestation observed early in the infestation, but did not exclude an effect later in winter. Our findings suggested that moose generally tolerated moderate parasitism by keds. However, the increase in HCC at higher ked intensities suggested that the tolerance strategy could be disrupted with further increases in intensities and consequently may negatively affect animal health and welfare.

  • Novel Type of Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Moose (Alces Alces), Norway.
    Emerging infectious diseases, 2018
    Co-Authors: Laura Pirisinu, Turid Vikoren, Jørn Våge, Linh Tran, Knut Madslien, Barbara Chiappini, Ilaria Vanni, Michele Angelo Di Bari, Gabriele Vaccari, Terry R. Spraker
    Abstract:

    Chronic wasting disease (CWD) persists in cervid populations of North America and in 2016 was detected for the first time in Europe in a wild reindeer in Norway. We report the detection of CWD in 3 moose (Alces Alces) in Norway, identified through a large scale surveillance program. The cases occurred in 13-14-year-old female moose, and we detected an abnormal form of prion protein (PrPSc) in the brain but not in lymphoid tissues. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the moose shared the same neuropathologic phenotype, characterized by mostly intraneuronal deposition of PrPSc. This pattern differed from that observed in reindeer and has not been previously reported in CWD-infected cervids. Moreover, Western blot revealed a PrPSc type distinguishable from previous CWD cases and from known ruminant prion diseases in Europe, with the possible exception of sheep CH1641. These findings suggest that these cases in moose represent a novel type of CWD.

  • bartonella infections in deer keds lipoptena cervi and moose Alces Alces in norway
    Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Samuel Duodu, Knut Madslien, Eva Hjelm, Ylva Molin, Anna Paziewskaharris, P D Harris, Duncan J Colquhoun, Bjornar Ytrehus
    Abstract:

    Infections with Bartonella spp. have been recognized as emerging zoonotic diseases in humans. Large knowledge gaps exist, however, relating to reservoirs, vectors, and transmission of these bacteria. We describe identification by culture, PCR, and housekeeping gene sequencing of Bartonella spp. in fed, wingless deer keds (Lipoptena cervi), deer ked pupae, and blood samples collected from moose, Alces Alces, sampled within the deer ked distribution range in Norway. Direct sequencing from moose blood sampled in a deer ked-free area also indicated Bartonella infection but at a much lower prevalence. The sequencing data suggested the presence of mixed infections involving two species of Bartonella within the deer ked range, while moose outside the range appeared to be infected with a single species. Bartonella were not detected or cultured from unfed winged deer keds. The results may indicate that long-term bacteremia in the moose represents a reservoir of infection and that L. cervi acts as a vector for the spread of infection of Bartonella spp. Further research is needed to evaluate the role of L. cervi in the transmission of Bartonella to animals and humans and the possible pathogenicity of these bacteria for humans and animals.

  • Factors affecting deer ked (Lipoptena cervi) prevalence and infestation intensity in moose (Alces Alces) in Norway
    Parasites & Vectors, 2012
    Co-Authors: Knut Madslien, Bjornar Ytrehus, Hildegunn Viljugrein, Erling J Solberg, Kent Rudi Bråten, Atle Mysterud
    Abstract:

    Background The deer ked ( Lipoptena cervi ), a hematophagous ectoparasite of Cervids, is currently spreading in Scandinavia. In Norway, keds are now invading the south-eastern part of the country and the abundant and widely distributed moose ( Alces Alces ) is the definitive host. However, key factors for ked abundance are poorly elucidated. The objectives of our study were to (i) determine deer ked infestation prevalence and intensity on moose and (ii) evaluate if habitat characteristics and moose population density are determinants of deer ked abundance on moose. Methods In order to identify key factors for deer ked abundance, a total of 350 skin samples from the neck of hunted moose were examined and deer keds counted. Infestation intensity was analyzed in relation to moose age and sex, moose population density and landscape characteristics surrounding the killing site. Results Deer ked infestation prevalence was 100%, but infestation intensity varied from 0.001 to 1.405 keds/cm^2. Ked intensity was highest in male yearlings (~1.5 years) and positively associated with longitude and Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) dominated habitat and negatively associated with bogs and latitude. Moose population density during autumn showed a tendency to be positively associated, while altitude tended to be negatively associated with ked intensity. Conclusions Deer keds exploit the whole moose population within our study area, but are most prevalent in areas dominated by Scots pine. This is probably a reflection of Scots pine being the preferred winter browse for moose in areas with highest moose densities in winter. Ked intensity decreases towards the northwest and partly with increasing altitude, probably explained by the direction of dispersal and reduced temperature, respectively. Abundant deer ked harm humans and domestic animals. Moose management authorities should therefore be aware of the close relationship between moose, deer ked and habitat, using the knowledge as a management tool for locally regulating the ked burden.

  • hair loss epizootic in moose Alces Alces associated with massive deer ked lipoptena cervi infestation
    Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2011
    Co-Authors: Knut Madslien, Turid Vikoren, Bjornar Ytrehus, Jonas Malmsten, Ketil Isaksen, Hans Olav Hygen, Erling J Solberg
    Abstract:

    Deer keds (Lipoptena cervi) are blood-sucking flies in the family Hippoboscidae; moose (Alces Alces) are their main host in Scandinavia. There are no detailed reports of the negative impacts of deer keds on moose. In 2006 and 2007, hunters in southeastern Norway and midwestern Sweden found several moose cadavers with severe alopecia; numerous moose had extensive hair loss. Between February 2006 and June 2007, materials from 23 moose were submitted for laboratory examination and large numbers of deer keds were found in the coat of most animals. The body condition of the moose varied but was poor in animals with severe alopecia. The findings of enormous numbers of deer keds in the coat of the majority of the affected animals and a consistent histologic image (acute to chronic, multifocal to coalescing, eosinophilic to lymphocytic dermatitis), concurrent with the absence of any other lesions, trace element deficiencies, or dermal infections which are known to cause alopecia, suggest that the hair-loss epizoo...