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Adrian Philbey - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Infectious Canine Hepatitis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in wildlife rescue centres in the UK
The Veterinary record, 2016Co-Authors: David Walker, E. Abbondati, Andrea Cox, G. B.b. Mitchell, Romain Pizzi, Colin P. Sharp, Adrian PhilbeyAbstract:Outbreaks of Infectious Canine Hepatitis are described in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) at two wildlife rescue centres in the UK. Disease occurred in two-month-old to four-month-old juvenile foxes, which were held in small enclosures in groups of three to eight animals. The foxes died or were euthanased after a short clinical course, sometimes including neurological signs and jaundice, with a high case fatality rate. Four red foxes submitted for postmortem examination had enlarged, congested livers, with rounded borders and mild accentuation of the lobular pattern. On histological examination, there was random, multifocal to massive hepatic necrosis, along with multifocal vasculitis in the central nervous system (CNS) and mild, multifocal glomerulonephritis. Intranuclear inclusion bodies, typical of Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) infection, were present in hepatocytes, vascular endothelial cells in the CNS, renal glomeruli and renal tubular epithelial cells. CAV-1 was detected in tissues from affected foxes by PCR and sequencing. Congregation of juvenile foxes in wildlife rescue centres is likely to be a risk factor for transmission of CAV-1. Preventive measures in wildlife centres should be implemented to prevent the spread of the virus among conspecifics and to other susceptible species.
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Infectious Canine Hepatitis in free-ranging red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes )
Journal of Comparative Pathology, 2014Co-Authors: Adrian Philbey, H. ThompsonAbstract:Infectious Canine Hepatitis IN FREE-RANGING RED FOXES (VULPES VULPES) A.W. Philbey* and H. Thompsony *Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Edinburgh and yMill House, Camis Eskan, Helensburgh, Scotland, UK Introduction: Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH), caused by Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1), has been reported mostly in dogs, farmed foxes and other captive carnivores. Initially called ‘epizootic fox encephalitis’, ICH was first identified in domesticated (‘tamed’) silver foxes, a colour variant of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). ICH was diagnosed in a free-ranging grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) in Georgia, USA, in 2005. There is serological evidence of exposure to CAV-1 in free-ranging red foxes in North America, Germany, Australia and the UK, as well as in free-ranging grey foxes in North America. Materials and Methods: Sick free-ranging red foxes were presented to wildlife rehabilitation centres in the UK, where they died naturally. Tissues were submitted for virus isolation and histopathology. Results: ICH was diagnosed in three red foxes found depressed or collapsed in the wild. Grossly, the foxes were jaundiced and had congested livers with accentuation of the lobular pattern. Histologically, there was generalized necrosis and dissociation of hepatocytes, with intranuclear inclusion bodies in hepatocytes, renal glomeruli, proximal convoluted renal tubular epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells. CAV-1 was isolated from all three foxes. Conclusions: Free-ranging red foxes are considered to be a reservoir of CAV-1 in the UK and are a potential source of infection for domestic dogs. HEALTH STATUS OF BROWN HARES (LEPUS EUROPAEUS) IN EASTERN AUSTRIA A. Posautz, A. K€ ubber-Heiss, F. Knauer, Z.S. Kelemen, F. Suchentrunk and C. Walzer Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria Introduction: The brown hare (Lepus europaeus) population has been declining throughout its range in the past decades. As the brown hare is on the national Red List in Austria, a thorough health screening project was conducted in eastern Austria in the years 2010 and 2011. Materials and Methods: A total of 188 hares underwent thorough pathological screening. Parasitological testing was performed in all hares, bacteriology and virology only on indication. As tularemia is endemic in eastern Austria, all hares were screened for Francisella tularensis. Serological screening for Treponema spp. was undertaken in 119 animals and for European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) in 49. Results: Parasites found were Trichostrongylus spp., Trichuris spp. and Eimeria spp. The infestation rate varied markedly. Three percent of the hares were culture positive for tularemia, 93% were seropositive for EBHS and 58% were seropositive for Treponema spp. Conclusions: The overall health status of the East Austrian brown hare population is good. The occurrence of tularemia is important regarding human health, but does not seem to play a major role in the general health status. The high seroprevalence for Treponema spp. and EBHS shows that the animals have contact with these entities, but seem to cope well. For EBHS this might in part be due to a less virulent strain. Generally, it can be stated that the decline cannot be blamed on diseases circling in this population.
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Infectious Canine Hepatitis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the United Kingdom
Veterinary Record Case Reports, 2013Co-Authors: H. Thompson, A. M. O'keeffe, J. C. M. Lewis, L. R. Stocker, M. K. Laurenson, Adrian PhilbeyAbstract:The pathological findings are described in three cases of Infectious Canine Hepatitis in free-ranging red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in England. The foxes died after short periods of clinical illness. Mild jaundice and hepatic congestion were evident grossly. On histopathological examination, intranuclear inclusion bodies were visible in hepatocytes, in association with hepatocyte dissociation and necrosis, as well as in renal glomeruli, renal tubular epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells. Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) was isolated from all three foxes. In a serological study, antibodies to CAV-1 were detected in tissue fluid extracts taken from 11 of 58 (19 per cent) frozen red fox carcases from England and Scotland.
Juan Francisco García Marín - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mortality Causes in Free-Ranging Eurasian Brown Bears (Ursus arctos arctos) in Spain 1998-2018.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2020Co-Authors: Ana Balseiro, Luis J. Royo, E. Gayo, Ramón Balsera, Olga Alarcia, Juan Francisco García MarínAbstract:This work summarizes the mortality cases of twenty-five free-ranging Eurasian wild brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) from the Cantabrian mountain range submitted for necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y Leon (northwestern Spain) from 1998 to 2018. Mortality cases were classified both caused by (i) "non-human intervention" or "human intervention" causes and based on (ii) "non-Infectious" or "Infectious" etiology. In four cases (16%) it was not possible to determine the cause of death due to the inadequate preservation of collected specimens or insufficient tissue availability. Based on "non-human intervention" or "human intervention" causes, fourteen of the 21 (66.7%) brown bears died as a consequence of "non-human intervention" due to traumatic lesions (fights, unknown traumas or infanticide), Infectious Canine Hepatitis, neoplasia or mushroom poisoning. In contrast, seven (33.3%) brown bears died by "human intervention" due to illegal hunting (shooting or snare), handling (during transit in an attempt to reintroduce a bear back into the wild) or strychnine poisoning. Based on "non-Infectious" or "Infectious" etiology, twelve of the 21 (57.1%) brown bears died due to "non-Infectious" causes, namely traumatic lesions such as shooting, snare, fighting or infanticide, handling, strychnine poisoning, mushroom poisoning or neoplasia. The remaining nine (42.9%) animals died due to "Infectious" diseases which included gangrenous myositis, Infectious Canine Hepatitis or septicemia. In six of those cases traumatic lesions caused by non-human or human activities were complicated with bacterial infection (clostridiosis and septicemia) which finally caused the death of those animals. Additionally, exertional myopathy was observed in the handled animal and in one bear found in a snare. In a free-ranging population of Eurasian brown bear from the Cantabrian mountain range, main causes of death are attributed to non-human related traumatic lesions and Infectious diseases (primary developed such as Infectious Canine Hepatitis or secondary developed such as clostridiosis or septicemia) which is in contrast to previously reported data for other bear populations. These data are valuable and may help in the conservation and management of this recovering population.
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Mortality in free-ranging Eurasian brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) in Spain '1998-2018'
2020Co-Authors: Ana Balseiro, Luis J. Royo, E. Gayo, Ramón Balsera, Olga Alarcia, Juan Francisco García MarínAbstract:Abstract Background: This work summarizes the mortality cases of twenty-five free-ranging Eurasian wild brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) from the Cantabrian mountain range submitted for necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y León (northwestern Spain) from ' 1998 to 2018'. Results: Causes of death were classified both caused by (i) "human intervention" or "natural causes" and based on (ii) "Infectious" or "non-Infectious" etiology. In four cases (16%) it was not possible to determine the cause of death due to the inadequate preservation of collected specimens or insufficient tissue availability. Based on "human intervention" or "natural causes", seven out of the 21 (33.3%) brown bears in which the cause of death could be determined died as a consequence of "human intervention" due to illegal hunting (shooting or snare), handling or strychnine poisoning. In contrast, fourteen (66.7%) brown bears died by "natural causes" due to traumatic lesions (fights, unknown traumas or infanticide), Infectious Canine Hepatitis, neoplasia, or mushroom poisoning. Based on "Infectious" or "non-Infectious" etiology nine out of the 21 (42.9%) brown bears died due to "Infectious diseases", namely gangrenous myositis, Infectious Canine Hepatitis or septicemia. The remaining twelve (57.1%) animals died due to "non-Infectious" causes, which included handling, traumatic lesions such as shooting, snare, fighting or infanticide, strychnine poisoning, mushroom poisoning or neoplasia. In six of those cases traumatic lesions caused by human activities or by natural causes were complicated with bacterial infection (clostridiosis and septicemia) which finally caused the death of those animals. Additionally, exertional myopathy was observed in the handled animal and in one bear found in a snare. Conclusions: In a non-hunted population of Eurasian brown bear from the Cantabrian mountain range, main cause of death is attributed to “natural causes” mostly due to traumatic lesions and Infectious diseases (primary developed such as Infectious Canine Hepatitis or secondary developed such as clostridiosis or septicemia) which is in contrast to previously reported data for other bear populations.These data are valuable and may help in the conservation and management of this recovering population.
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Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) in free-ranging European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos): A threat for Cantabrian population?
Transboundary and emerging diseases, 2018Co-Authors: Juan Francisco García Marín, Ramón Balsera, Olga Alarcia, Luis J. Royo, Álvaro Oleaga, E. Gayo, Daniel Pinto, Ileana Z. Martínez, Patricia González, Jaime MarcosAbstract:Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) is responsible for Infectious Canine Hepatitis. The disease has been described in captive American black bear (Ursus americanus) and European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos), with just one recently reported case in a cub of a free-ranging brown bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) from Alaska. The aim of this work is to summarize findings related to presence and associated mortality of CAdV-1 in 21 free-ranging Cantabrian brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) submitted to necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y Leon (northwestern Spain) from 1998 to 2018. On the basis of the anatomopathological findings and laboratory results three free-ranging brown bears died due to Infectious Canine Hepatitis, which is to our knowledge the first description of death due to this disease in free-ranging bears in Europe. Gross lesions consisted of petechial haemorrhages and congestion in different internal organs, haemorrhagic fluid in internal cavities, friable and yellowish liver and thickening of gall bladder. Microscopic lesions were observed mainly in liver, kidney and brain and consisted of multifocal necrosis of cells with presence of basophilic intranuclear inclusions. Immunohistochemical (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) techniques were used to assess the presence of CAdV-1 in paraffin-embedded liver samples. Viral antigens were detected by IHC labelling within hepatocytes and Kuppfer cells in the three animals. The presence of viral DNA was confirmed by qPCR in one of them. In order to evaluate the circulation of CAdV-1 in brown bears, a retrospective study was performed using both IHC and qPCR techniques in 11 and 12 additional brown bears, respectively. An extra brown bear was found positive by IHC. This study shows that CAdV-1 surveillance of brown bears and sympatric carnivores should be considered as major concern for the monitoring the population evolution throughout time in this endangered species.
Jaime Marcos - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) in free-ranging European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos): A threat for Cantabrian population?
Transboundary and emerging diseases, 2018Co-Authors: Juan Francisco García Marín, Ramón Balsera, Olga Alarcia, Luis J. Royo, Álvaro Oleaga, E. Gayo, Daniel Pinto, Ileana Z. Martínez, Patricia González, Jaime MarcosAbstract:Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) is responsible for Infectious Canine Hepatitis. The disease has been described in captive American black bear (Ursus americanus) and European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos), with just one recently reported case in a cub of a free-ranging brown bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) from Alaska. The aim of this work is to summarize findings related to presence and associated mortality of CAdV-1 in 21 free-ranging Cantabrian brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) submitted to necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y Leon (northwestern Spain) from 1998 to 2018. On the basis of the anatomopathological findings and laboratory results three free-ranging brown bears died due to Infectious Canine Hepatitis, which is to our knowledge the first description of death due to this disease in free-ranging bears in Europe. Gross lesions consisted of petechial haemorrhages and congestion in different internal organs, haemorrhagic fluid in internal cavities, friable and yellowish liver and thickening of gall bladder. Microscopic lesions were observed mainly in liver, kidney and brain and consisted of multifocal necrosis of cells with presence of basophilic intranuclear inclusions. Immunohistochemical (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) techniques were used to assess the presence of CAdV-1 in paraffin-embedded liver samples. Viral antigens were detected by IHC labelling within hepatocytes and Kuppfer cells in the three animals. The presence of viral DNA was confirmed by qPCR in one of them. In order to evaluate the circulation of CAdV-1 in brown bears, a retrospective study was performed using both IHC and qPCR techniques in 11 and 12 additional brown bears, respectively. An extra brown bear was found positive by IHC. This study shows that CAdV-1 surveillance of brown bears and sympatric carnivores should be considered as major concern for the monitoring the population evolution throughout time in this endangered species.
Olga Alarcia - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mortality Causes in Free-Ranging Eurasian Brown Bears (Ursus arctos arctos) in Spain 1998-2018.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2020Co-Authors: Ana Balseiro, Luis J. Royo, E. Gayo, Ramón Balsera, Olga Alarcia, Juan Francisco García MarínAbstract:This work summarizes the mortality cases of twenty-five free-ranging Eurasian wild brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) from the Cantabrian mountain range submitted for necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y Leon (northwestern Spain) from 1998 to 2018. Mortality cases were classified both caused by (i) "non-human intervention" or "human intervention" causes and based on (ii) "non-Infectious" or "Infectious" etiology. In four cases (16%) it was not possible to determine the cause of death due to the inadequate preservation of collected specimens or insufficient tissue availability. Based on "non-human intervention" or "human intervention" causes, fourteen of the 21 (66.7%) brown bears died as a consequence of "non-human intervention" due to traumatic lesions (fights, unknown traumas or infanticide), Infectious Canine Hepatitis, neoplasia or mushroom poisoning. In contrast, seven (33.3%) brown bears died by "human intervention" due to illegal hunting (shooting or snare), handling (during transit in an attempt to reintroduce a bear back into the wild) or strychnine poisoning. Based on "non-Infectious" or "Infectious" etiology, twelve of the 21 (57.1%) brown bears died due to "non-Infectious" causes, namely traumatic lesions such as shooting, snare, fighting or infanticide, handling, strychnine poisoning, mushroom poisoning or neoplasia. The remaining nine (42.9%) animals died due to "Infectious" diseases which included gangrenous myositis, Infectious Canine Hepatitis or septicemia. In six of those cases traumatic lesions caused by non-human or human activities were complicated with bacterial infection (clostridiosis and septicemia) which finally caused the death of those animals. Additionally, exertional myopathy was observed in the handled animal and in one bear found in a snare. In a free-ranging population of Eurasian brown bear from the Cantabrian mountain range, main causes of death are attributed to non-human related traumatic lesions and Infectious diseases (primary developed such as Infectious Canine Hepatitis or secondary developed such as clostridiosis or septicemia) which is in contrast to previously reported data for other bear populations. These data are valuable and may help in the conservation and management of this recovering population.
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Mortality in free-ranging Eurasian brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) in Spain '1998-2018'
2020Co-Authors: Ana Balseiro, Luis J. Royo, E. Gayo, Ramón Balsera, Olga Alarcia, Juan Francisco García MarínAbstract:Abstract Background: This work summarizes the mortality cases of twenty-five free-ranging Eurasian wild brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) from the Cantabrian mountain range submitted for necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y León (northwestern Spain) from ' 1998 to 2018'. Results: Causes of death were classified both caused by (i) "human intervention" or "natural causes" and based on (ii) "Infectious" or "non-Infectious" etiology. In four cases (16%) it was not possible to determine the cause of death due to the inadequate preservation of collected specimens or insufficient tissue availability. Based on "human intervention" or "natural causes", seven out of the 21 (33.3%) brown bears in which the cause of death could be determined died as a consequence of "human intervention" due to illegal hunting (shooting or snare), handling or strychnine poisoning. In contrast, fourteen (66.7%) brown bears died by "natural causes" due to traumatic lesions (fights, unknown traumas or infanticide), Infectious Canine Hepatitis, neoplasia, or mushroom poisoning. Based on "Infectious" or "non-Infectious" etiology nine out of the 21 (42.9%) brown bears died due to "Infectious diseases", namely gangrenous myositis, Infectious Canine Hepatitis or septicemia. The remaining twelve (57.1%) animals died due to "non-Infectious" causes, which included handling, traumatic lesions such as shooting, snare, fighting or infanticide, strychnine poisoning, mushroom poisoning or neoplasia. In six of those cases traumatic lesions caused by human activities or by natural causes were complicated with bacterial infection (clostridiosis and septicemia) which finally caused the death of those animals. Additionally, exertional myopathy was observed in the handled animal and in one bear found in a snare. Conclusions: In a non-hunted population of Eurasian brown bear from the Cantabrian mountain range, main cause of death is attributed to “natural causes” mostly due to traumatic lesions and Infectious diseases (primary developed such as Infectious Canine Hepatitis or secondary developed such as clostridiosis or septicemia) which is in contrast to previously reported data for other bear populations.These data are valuable and may help in the conservation and management of this recovering population.
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Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) in free-ranging European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos): A threat for Cantabrian population?
Transboundary and emerging diseases, 2018Co-Authors: Juan Francisco García Marín, Ramón Balsera, Olga Alarcia, Luis J. Royo, Álvaro Oleaga, E. Gayo, Daniel Pinto, Ileana Z. Martínez, Patricia González, Jaime MarcosAbstract:Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) is responsible for Infectious Canine Hepatitis. The disease has been described in captive American black bear (Ursus americanus) and European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos), with just one recently reported case in a cub of a free-ranging brown bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) from Alaska. The aim of this work is to summarize findings related to presence and associated mortality of CAdV-1 in 21 free-ranging Cantabrian brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) submitted to necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y Leon (northwestern Spain) from 1998 to 2018. On the basis of the anatomopathological findings and laboratory results three free-ranging brown bears died due to Infectious Canine Hepatitis, which is to our knowledge the first description of death due to this disease in free-ranging bears in Europe. Gross lesions consisted of petechial haemorrhages and congestion in different internal organs, haemorrhagic fluid in internal cavities, friable and yellowish liver and thickening of gall bladder. Microscopic lesions were observed mainly in liver, kidney and brain and consisted of multifocal necrosis of cells with presence of basophilic intranuclear inclusions. Immunohistochemical (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) techniques were used to assess the presence of CAdV-1 in paraffin-embedded liver samples. Viral antigens were detected by IHC labelling within hepatocytes and Kuppfer cells in the three animals. The presence of viral DNA was confirmed by qPCR in one of them. In order to evaluate the circulation of CAdV-1 in brown bears, a retrospective study was performed using both IHC and qPCR techniques in 11 and 12 additional brown bears, respectively. An extra brown bear was found positive by IHC. This study shows that CAdV-1 surveillance of brown bears and sympatric carnivores should be considered as major concern for the monitoring the population evolution throughout time in this endangered species.
Ramón Balsera - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mortality Causes in Free-Ranging Eurasian Brown Bears (Ursus arctos arctos) in Spain 1998-2018.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2020Co-Authors: Ana Balseiro, Luis J. Royo, E. Gayo, Ramón Balsera, Olga Alarcia, Juan Francisco García MarínAbstract:This work summarizes the mortality cases of twenty-five free-ranging Eurasian wild brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) from the Cantabrian mountain range submitted for necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y Leon (northwestern Spain) from 1998 to 2018. Mortality cases were classified both caused by (i) "non-human intervention" or "human intervention" causes and based on (ii) "non-Infectious" or "Infectious" etiology. In four cases (16%) it was not possible to determine the cause of death due to the inadequate preservation of collected specimens or insufficient tissue availability. Based on "non-human intervention" or "human intervention" causes, fourteen of the 21 (66.7%) brown bears died as a consequence of "non-human intervention" due to traumatic lesions (fights, unknown traumas or infanticide), Infectious Canine Hepatitis, neoplasia or mushroom poisoning. In contrast, seven (33.3%) brown bears died by "human intervention" due to illegal hunting (shooting or snare), handling (during transit in an attempt to reintroduce a bear back into the wild) or strychnine poisoning. Based on "non-Infectious" or "Infectious" etiology, twelve of the 21 (57.1%) brown bears died due to "non-Infectious" causes, namely traumatic lesions such as shooting, snare, fighting or infanticide, handling, strychnine poisoning, mushroom poisoning or neoplasia. The remaining nine (42.9%) animals died due to "Infectious" diseases which included gangrenous myositis, Infectious Canine Hepatitis or septicemia. In six of those cases traumatic lesions caused by non-human or human activities were complicated with bacterial infection (clostridiosis and septicemia) which finally caused the death of those animals. Additionally, exertional myopathy was observed in the handled animal and in one bear found in a snare. In a free-ranging population of Eurasian brown bear from the Cantabrian mountain range, main causes of death are attributed to non-human related traumatic lesions and Infectious diseases (primary developed such as Infectious Canine Hepatitis or secondary developed such as clostridiosis or septicemia) which is in contrast to previously reported data for other bear populations. These data are valuable and may help in the conservation and management of this recovering population.
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Mortality in free-ranging Eurasian brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) in Spain '1998-2018'
2020Co-Authors: Ana Balseiro, Luis J. Royo, E. Gayo, Ramón Balsera, Olga Alarcia, Juan Francisco García MarínAbstract:Abstract Background: This work summarizes the mortality cases of twenty-five free-ranging Eurasian wild brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) from the Cantabrian mountain range submitted for necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y León (northwestern Spain) from ' 1998 to 2018'. Results: Causes of death were classified both caused by (i) "human intervention" or "natural causes" and based on (ii) "Infectious" or "non-Infectious" etiology. In four cases (16%) it was not possible to determine the cause of death due to the inadequate preservation of collected specimens or insufficient tissue availability. Based on "human intervention" or "natural causes", seven out of the 21 (33.3%) brown bears in which the cause of death could be determined died as a consequence of "human intervention" due to illegal hunting (shooting or snare), handling or strychnine poisoning. In contrast, fourteen (66.7%) brown bears died by "natural causes" due to traumatic lesions (fights, unknown traumas or infanticide), Infectious Canine Hepatitis, neoplasia, or mushroom poisoning. Based on "Infectious" or "non-Infectious" etiology nine out of the 21 (42.9%) brown bears died due to "Infectious diseases", namely gangrenous myositis, Infectious Canine Hepatitis or septicemia. The remaining twelve (57.1%) animals died due to "non-Infectious" causes, which included handling, traumatic lesions such as shooting, snare, fighting or infanticide, strychnine poisoning, mushroom poisoning or neoplasia. In six of those cases traumatic lesions caused by human activities or by natural causes were complicated with bacterial infection (clostridiosis and septicemia) which finally caused the death of those animals. Additionally, exertional myopathy was observed in the handled animal and in one bear found in a snare. Conclusions: In a non-hunted population of Eurasian brown bear from the Cantabrian mountain range, main cause of death is attributed to “natural causes” mostly due to traumatic lesions and Infectious diseases (primary developed such as Infectious Canine Hepatitis or secondary developed such as clostridiosis or septicemia) which is in contrast to previously reported data for other bear populations.These data are valuable and may help in the conservation and management of this recovering population.
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Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) in free-ranging European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos): A threat for Cantabrian population?
Transboundary and emerging diseases, 2018Co-Authors: Juan Francisco García Marín, Ramón Balsera, Olga Alarcia, Luis J. Royo, Álvaro Oleaga, E. Gayo, Daniel Pinto, Ileana Z. Martínez, Patricia González, Jaime MarcosAbstract:Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) is responsible for Infectious Canine Hepatitis. The disease has been described in captive American black bear (Ursus americanus) and European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos), with just one recently reported case in a cub of a free-ranging brown bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) from Alaska. The aim of this work is to summarize findings related to presence and associated mortality of CAdV-1 in 21 free-ranging Cantabrian brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) submitted to necropsy in Asturias and Castilla y Leon (northwestern Spain) from 1998 to 2018. On the basis of the anatomopathological findings and laboratory results three free-ranging brown bears died due to Infectious Canine Hepatitis, which is to our knowledge the first description of death due to this disease in free-ranging bears in Europe. Gross lesions consisted of petechial haemorrhages and congestion in different internal organs, haemorrhagic fluid in internal cavities, friable and yellowish liver and thickening of gall bladder. Microscopic lesions were observed mainly in liver, kidney and brain and consisted of multifocal necrosis of cells with presence of basophilic intranuclear inclusions. Immunohistochemical (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) techniques were used to assess the presence of CAdV-1 in paraffin-embedded liver samples. Viral antigens were detected by IHC labelling within hepatocytes and Kuppfer cells in the three animals. The presence of viral DNA was confirmed by qPCR in one of them. In order to evaluate the circulation of CAdV-1 in brown bears, a retrospective study was performed using both IHC and qPCR techniques in 11 and 12 additional brown bears, respectively. An extra brown bear was found positive by IHC. This study shows that CAdV-1 surveillance of brown bears and sympatric carnivores should be considered as major concern for the monitoring the population evolution throughout time in this endangered species.