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Terry R Spraker - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Part of the Life Sciences Commons Authors
2016Co-Authors: Jenny G Powers, Terry R Spraker, Thomas Gidlewski, Aru Balachandran, Tracy Nichols, Aru BalachAbstract:Progressive accumulation of the abnormal conformer of the prion protein and spongiform encephalopathy in the obex of nonsymptomatic and symptomatic Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) with chronic wasting diseas
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Progressive accumulation of the abnormal conformer of the prion protein and spongiform encephalopathy in the obex of nonsymptomatic and symptomatic Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) with chronic wasting disease
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians Inc, 2015Co-Authors: Terry R Spraker, Jenny G Powers, Margaret A. Wild, Thomas Gidlewski, Tracy A. Nichols, Aru Balachandran, Bruce A. Cummings, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Katherine I O'rourkeAbstract:The purpose of our study was to describe the progressive accumulation of the abnormal conformer of the prion protein (PrPCWD) and spongiform degeneration in a single section of brain stem in Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) with chronic wasting disease (CWD). A section of obex from 85 CWD-positive Elk was scored using the presence and abundance of PrPCWD immunoreactivity and spongiform degeneration in 10 nuclear regions and the presence and abundance of PrPCWD in 10 axonal tracts, the subependymal area of the fourth ventricle, and the thin subpial astrocytic layer (glial limitans). Data was placed in a formula to generate an overall obex score. Data suggests that PrPCWD immunoreactivity and spongiform degeneration has a unique and relatively consistent pattern of progression throughout a section of obex. This scoring technique utilizing a single section of obex may prove useful in future work for estimating the presence and abundance of PrPCWD in peripheral tissues and the nervous system in Elk...
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effects of gonacon immunocontraceptive vaccine in free ranging female Rocky Mountain Elk cervus elaphus nelsoni
Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2014Co-Authors: Jenny G Powers, Margaret A. Wild, Ryan J Monello, Terry R Spraker, James P Gionfriddo, Terry M Nett, Dan L BakerAbstract:Duration of efficacy and prevalence of side-effects associated with GonaCon Immunocon- traceptive Vaccine (GonaCon) in free-ranging female Elk (Cervus elaphus) are unknown. In January 2008, we captured120 mature femaleElk inRocky MountainNational Park(CO,USA),determined pregnancystatus, and randomly assigned them to treated (n ¼60; 1.5mL of GonaCon) or control (n ¼60; 1.5mL of saline) groups. During the following 3 winters we recaptured, collected blood for antibody concentrations, and euthanized 10-20 Elk in each group. At necropsy, we determined pregnancy and collected tissues from organs associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. We relocated injection sites, collected muscle tissue, and performed bacterial culture when inflammation was present. Proportion of pregnant Elk among control females ranged from 0.75 to 0.90. Proportion pregnant after treatment with GonaCon was 0.00 (95% CI ¼0.0-0.22) in year 1, 0.31 (CI ¼0.09-0.61) in year 2, and 0.65 (CI ¼0.41-0.85) in year 3. Antibody concentrations were higher in non-pregnant than pregnant treated females. We found no antemortem evidence of lameness or swelling at the injection site; however, at necropsy all treated females had pyogranulomatous inflammation at the injection site. We observed no consistent changes within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. We conclude that GonaCon is effective at reducing pregnancy for 1-2 years post-vaccination and is strongly associated with sterile inflammation at the site of injection. Similar to other species, the vaccine is less effective in Elk under free-ranging conditions than those in a captive environment. 2014 The Wildlife Society.
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detection of prpcwd in feces from naturally exposed Rocky Mountain Elk cervus elaphus nelsoni using protein misfolding cyclic amplification
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2012Co-Authors: Bruce Pulford, Jenny G Powers, Terry R Spraker, Christy A Wyckoff, Crystal Meyerett, Heather Bender, Adam Ferguson, Brittney Wyatt, Krista Lockwood, Glenn C TellingAbstract:Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy affecting captive and free-ranging cervids. Currently, tests for CWD in live animals involve relatively invasive procedures to collect lymphoid tissue biopsies and examine them for CWD- associated, protease-resistant cervid prion protein (PrP CWD ) detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). We adapted an ultrasensitive prion detection system, protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA), to detect PrP CWD in Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) feces. Our PMCA reproducibly detected a 1.2310 7 dilution of PrP CWD (a 10% infected brain homogenate diluted 1.2310 6 -fold into 10% fecal homogenates), equivalent to approximately 100 pg of PrP CWD /g of feces. We developed a semiquantitative scoring system based on the first PMCA round at which PrP CWD was detected and fit a nonlinear regression curve to our serial dilutions to correlate PMCA scores with known PrP CWD concentrations. We used this PMCA scoring system to detect PrP CWD and estimate its concentration in feces from free-ranging Elk from Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. We compared our results to PrP CWD IHC of rectoanal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue and obex from the same animals. The PMCA successfully detected PrP CWD in feces from Elk that were positive by IHC, with estimated prion loads from 100 to 5,000 pg PrP CWD /g of feces. These data show for the first time PrP CWD in feces from naturally exposed free-ranging Elk and demonstrate the potential of PMCA as a new, noninvasive CWD diagnostic tool to complement IHC.
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Association analysis of PRNP gene region with chronic wasting disease in Rocky Mountain Elk
BMC Research Notes, 2010Co-Authors: Stephen N. White, Terry R Spraker, James O Reynolds, Katherine I O'rourkeAbstract:Background Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) of cervids including white-tailed ( Odocoileus virginianus ) and mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ), Rocky Mountain Elk ( Cervus elaphus nelsoni ), and moose ( Alces alces ). A leucine variant at position 132 (132L) in prion protein of Rocky Mountain Elk confers a long incubation time with CWD, but not complete resistance. However, variants in regulatory regions outside the open reading frame of PRNP have been associated with varying degrees of susceptibility to prion disease in other species, and some variants have been observed in similar regions of Rocky Mountain Elk PRNP . Thus, additional genetic variants might provide increased protection, either alone or in combination with 132L. Findings This study provided genomic sequence of all exons for PRNP of Rocky Mountain Elk. Many functional sites in and around the PRNP gene region were sequenced, and this report approximately doubled (to 75) the number of known variants in this region. A haplotype-tagging approach was used to reduce the number of genetic variants required to survey this variation in the PRNP gene region of 559 Rocky Mountain Elk. Eight haplotypes were observed with frequencies over 1.0%, and one haplotype was present at 71.2% frequency, reflecting limited genetic diversity in the PRNP gene region. Conclusions The presence of 132L cut odds of CWD by more than half (Odds Ratio = 0.43; P = 0.0031), which was similar to a previous report. However after accounting for 132L, no association with CWD was found for any additional variants in the PRNP region (P > 0.05).
Elizabeth S Williams - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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validation of a brucella abortus competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for use in Rocky Mountain Elk cervus elaphus nelsoni
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2003Co-Authors: Clayton K Van Houten, Elizabeth S Williams, Terry J Kreeger, William H Edwards, Lee E Belden, Tom E Thorne, Walter E Cook, Kenneth W MillsAbstract:Brucellosis caused by infection with Brucella abortus is present in some Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) of the Greater Yellowstone Area (parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, USA). Since 1985, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has vaccinated Elk on Elk feedgrounds in northwestern Wyoming during the winter months using B. abortus strain 19 (strain 19). Analysis of this vaccination program is hampered by the inability of standard serologic tests to differentiate between strain 19 vaccinated Elk and those exposed to field strain B. abortus. In 1993, a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was licensed to serologically differentiate between strain 19 vaccinated cattle and cattle exposed to field strain B. abortus. Seven groups of Elk sera representing various B. abortus exposure histories were used to validate the cELISA test for Elk. The cELISA test differentiated strain 19 vaccinated Elk from Elk that were challenged with B. abortus strain 2308, a pathogenic laboratory strain. The specific...
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chronic wasting disease of deer and Elk a review with recommendations for management
Journal of Wildlife Management, 2002Co-Authors: Elizabeth S Williams, Michael W. Miller, Terry J Kreeger, Richard H Kahn, Tom E ThorneAbstract:Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has emerged as an important disease of wild and farmed cervids in North America. Of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), or prion diseases, CWD is the only 1 found in free-ranging species. Because the TSEs include infamous diseases like bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) of cattle and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease of humans, CWD by association has become a disease of interest beyond the parochial concerns where it is found. Consequently, wildlife managers are faced with developing programs for addressing CWD. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (O. virginianus), and Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) are the only species known to be naturally susceptible to CWD. Although implications of CWD are not entirely clear at this time, we know that CWD is a fatal, contagious disease of mature reproductive segments of deer and Elk populations. It has been endemic in free-ranging cervids in a core area of contiguous portions of southeastern Wyoming and northeastern Colorado, USA, for a minimum of 20 years and probably longer. The known geographic distribution of endemic CWD is relatively limited at this time, although as results of intensified surveillance become available, this may change. Foci of CWD in free-ranging deer have been identified distant from the core endemic area as far east as Wisconsin. Distribution has greatly expanded in the last decade or more via commerce in infected farmed Elk; as a result, CWD recently has been found in multiple jurisdictions of the plains, foothills, and Rocky Mountains of western North America, and in South Korea. Studies of the biology and natural history of CWD over the last few years have resulted in a better understanding of its pathogenesis and epidemiology. Chronic wasting disease is transmitted horizontally from infected to susceptible cervids. Early involvement of alimentary tract-associated lymphoid tissues during incubation suggests plausible routes for transmission via feces or saliva. Residual environmental contamination also appears to be important in sustaining epidemics. Studies of CWD epidemiology led to development of models to help explain the history of CWD as well as forecast its impacts on deer and Elk populations. Improved tests allow CWD to be diagnosed early in incubation, long before clinical signs appear. Where CWD is not known to occur, managers should be, and in some cases are, developing surveillance programs and regulations that prevent or reduce the likelihood that CWD will be introduced into their jurisdictions. Where CWD is already endemic, responsible agencies are conducting surveillance to assess status and trends in prevalence and geographic distribution, managing deer and Elk populations to limit spread, and developing and evaluating techniques for further controlling and perhaps eradicating CWD. Programs for addressing the challenges of CWD management will require interagency cooperation, commitment of funds and personnel, and applied research.
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prp genotypes of captive and free ranging Rocky Mountain Elk cervus elaphus nelsoni with chronic wasting disease
Journal of General Virology, 1999Co-Authors: Katherine I Orourke, Margaret A. Wild, Michael W. Miller, Terry R Spraker, Thomas E Besser, T F Cline, A L Jenny, G L Zebarth, Elizabeth S WilliamsAbstract:The PrP gene encodes the putative causative agent of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), a heterogeneous group of fatal, neurodegenerative disorders including human Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, ovine scrapie and chronic wasting disease (CWD) of North American deer and Elk. Polymorphisms in the PrP gene are associated with variations in relative susceptibility, pathological lesion patterns, incubation times and clinical course of TSEs of humans, mice and sheep. Sequence analysis of the PrP gene from Rocky Mountain Elk showed only one amino acid change (Met to Leu at cervid codon 132). Homozygosity for Met at the corresponding polymorphic site (Met to Val) in humans (human codon 129) predisposes exposed individuals to some forms of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. In this study, Rocky Mountain Elk homozygous for PrP codon 132 Met were over-represented in both free- ranging and farm-raised CWD-affected Elk when compared to unaffected control groups.
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epidemiology of chronic wasting disease in captive Rocky Mountain Elk
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 1998Co-Authors: Michael W. Miller, Margaret A. Wild, Elizabeth S WilliamsAbstract:Between June 1986 and May 1997, chronic wasting disease (CWD) was the only natural cause of adult mortality among captive Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) held at a wildlife research facility near Fort Collins, Colorado (USA). Of 23 Elk that remained in this herd >15 mo, four (17%) developed CWD. All affected Elk were unrelated females from the founding cohort, captured as neonates and raised in 1986. The index case was diagnosed in 1989; time intervals between subsequent cases ranged from 13 to 32 mo. Initial age at onset of clinical signs ranged from about 2.9 to 8.1 yr; duration of clinical disease ranged from 5 to 12 mo (mean = 7.5 mo) prior to death. Intraspecific lateral transmission of CWD seemed the most plausible explanation for the epidemic pattern observed; neither periparturient nor maternal transmission appeared necessary to sustain this outbreak. Early detection and elimination of incubating or clinical individuals may have aided in reducing exposure or infection rates as compared...
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spongiform encephalopathy in free ranging mule deer odocoileus hemionus white tailed deer odocoileus virginianus and Rocky Mountain Elk cervus elaphus nelsoni in northcentral colorado
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 1997Co-Authors: Terry R Spraker, Michael W. Miller, Elizabeth S Williams, David M Getzy, W J Adrian, G G Schoonveld, R A Spowart, Katherine I Orourke, J M Miller, P A MerzAbstract:Between March 1981 and June 1995, a neurological disease characterized histologically by spongiform encephalopathy was diagnosed in 49 free-ranging cervids from northcentral Colorado (USA). Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were the primary species affected and accounted for 41 (84%) of the 49 cases, but six Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and two white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were also affected. Clinical signs included emaciation, excessive salivation, behavioral changes, ataxia, and weakness. Emaciation with total loss of subcutaneous and abdominal adipose tissue and serous atrophy of remaining fat depots were the only consistent gross findings. Spongiform encephalopathy characterized by microcavitation of gray matter, intraneuronal vacuolation and neuronal degeneration was observed microscopically in all cases. Scrapie-associated prion protein or an antigenically indistinguishable protein was demonstrated in brains from 26 affected animals, 10 using an immunohistochemical stainin...
Michael W. Miller - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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tissue residue levels after immobilization of Rocky Mountain Elk cervus elaphus nelsoni using a combination of nalbuphine medetomidine and azaperone antagonized with naltrexone atipamezole and tolazoline
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2017Co-Authors: Lisa L Wolfe, Matthew Mccollum, Travis Mays, Morgan E Wehtje, Mark C Fisher, William R. Lance, Michael W. MillerAbstract:Abstract: Previous studies demonstrated that nalbuphine, medetomidine, and azaperone (NalMed-A) can effectively immobilize adult Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), and be antagonized using naltrexone and atipamezole, with or without tolazoline. To assess duration of tissue residues for this immobilization package, we immobilized 14 captive adult Elk with NalMed-A, then euthanized animals and collected tissues 0, 3, 6, 14, 21, or 28 d later. Except for two animals euthanized immediately, all Elk were recovered using naltrexone, atipamezole, and tolazoline. Tissue residues (≥0.01 parts per million) for the tranquilizers nalbuphine, medetomidine, and azaperone were detected in liver and muscle tissue samples from Elk euthanized within 40 min postinjection (PI) and one animal that died 12−24 h PI, but not in tissues from any of the animals euthanized at 3, 6, 14, 21, or 28 d PI. Tissue residues for the antagonists naltrexone, atipamezole, and tolazoline were detected in liver and muscle of the animal that died 12...
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Tissue Residue Levels after Immobilization of Rocky Mountain Elk ( Cervus elaphus nelsoni) using a Combination of Nalbuphine, Medetomidine, and Azaperone Antagonized with Naltrexone, Atipamezole, and Tolazoline.
Journal of wildlife diseases, 2017Co-Authors: Lisa L Wolfe, Travis Mays, Morgan E Wehtje, Mark C Fisher, William R. Lance, Pauline Nol, Matthew P. Mccollum, Michael W. MillerAbstract:Previous studies demonstrated that nalbuphine, medetomidine, and azaperone (NalMed-A) can effectively immobilize adult Elk ( Cervus elaphus nelsoni), and be antagonized using naltrexone and atipamezole, with or without tolazoline. To assess duration of tissue residues for this immobilization package, we immobilized 14 captive adult Elk with NalMed-A, then euthanized animals and collected tissues 0, 3, 6, 14, 21, or 28 d later. Except for two animals euthanized immediately, all Elk were recovered using naltrexone, atipamezole, and tolazoline. Tissue residues (≥0.01 parts per million) for the tranquilizers nalbuphine, medetomidine, and azaperone were detected in liver and muscle tissue samples from Elk euthanized within 40 min postinjection (PI) and one animal that died 12-24 h PI, but not in tissues from any of the animals euthanized at 3, 6, 14, 21, or 28 d PI. Tissue residues for the antagonists naltrexone, atipamezole, and tolazoline were detected in liver and muscle of the animal that died 12-24 h PI. Only naltrexone was detected in liver from the two Elk euthanized at day 3, and no antagonist residues were detected thereafter.
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use of acepromazine and medetomidine in combination for sedation and handling of Rocky Mountain Elk cervus elaphus nelsoni and black bears ursus americanus
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2014Co-Authors: Lisa L Wolfe, Heather E Johnson, Mark C Fisher, Michael A Sirochman, Benjamin Kraft, Michael W. MillerAbstract:Abstract We opportunistically evaluated a combination of acepromazine maleate and medetomidine HCl for use in sedating Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and black bears (Ursus americanus) as an alternative to scheduled drug combinations. This combination was safe and effective with limitations inherent in its sedative rather than anesthetic properties.
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novel combinations of nalbuphine and medetomidine for wildlife immobilization
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2014Co-Authors: Lisa L Wolfe, William R. Lance, David K Smith, Michael W. MillerAbstract:Abstract We formulated novel drug combinations of nalbuphine HCl and medetomidine HCl (NalMed), with or without azaperone tartrate, for use in immobilizing Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and potentially for other wildlife species. Using the lowest tested nalbuphine dose (0.3 mg/kg) that produced sedation in Elk, we initially evaluated a combination of nalbuphine, medetomidine, and azaperone (NalMed-A) for immobilizing adult Elk. Based on initial success, we then conducted follow-up trials to assess alternative NalMed formulations successively modified to improve field usability, striving to shorten induction within a dose volume that accommodated practical remote delivery. All NalMed formulations immobilized adult Elk; however, combinations with dose volumes that included about 80 mg nalbuphine tended to yield the shortest inductions (mean 6.8 min with, and 7.7 min without, azaperone). Our findings demonstrate that nalbuphine and medetomidine can be combined to yield effective, low-volume (≤2...
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efficacy of a low dosage combination of butorphanol azaperone and medetomidine bam to immobilize Rocky Mountain Elk
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2014Co-Authors: Lisa L Wolfe, Mark C Fisher, Tracy R Davis, Michael W. MillerAbstract:Abstract We compared dosages of a combination of sedatives, which included butorphanol tartrate, azaperone tartrate, and medetomidine HCl (BAM) in captive adult Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni). All three BAM dosages (low, medium, and high) effectively immobilized Elk and produced an adequate level of sedation in all subjects. Induction times were similar among the three groups (mean±SD: low = 6.9±1.1 min; medium = 6.3±0.9 min; high = 4.7±1.3 min). Most Elk became hypoxemic regardless of BAM dosage, but hypoxemia tended to be most severe in the high-BAM group; regardless of BAM dosage, oxygen supplementation improved the percentage of oxygen saturation and stabilized the vital rates. Recovery after administration of antagonists (3 mg atipamezole/mg medetomidine and 2 mg/kg tolazoline) was comparable among groups (range of means = 9±1.5–11.7±1 min). Based on the findings from clinical trials and field data from free-ranging Elk immobilizations, we recommend low-dose BAM (2 mL dose; equivalent to...
Todd E. Cornish - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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detection of deer atadenovirus a dna in dam and offspring pairs of Rocky Mountain mule deer odocoileus hemionus hemionus and Rocky Mountain Elk cervus canadensis nelsoni
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2021Co-Authors: Kayla M Kauffman, Todd E. Cornish, Brant A Schumaker, Kevin L Monteith, Tayler N Lasharr, Katey S Huggler, Myrna M. MillerAbstract:Adenovirus hemorrhagic disease affects primarily mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni), and moose (Alces alces) in their first year of life. The method by which the causative virus, Deer atadenovirus A, is maintained in the environment and transmitted to neonates is unknown. In this study, we investigated the potential transmission of the virus from dam to offspring in Rocky Mountain mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) and Elk in western Wyoming, US. We sampled dams before parturition during placement of vaginal implant transmitters and at parturition and sampled neonates during capture in their first days of life. We also tested for the virus in mortalities submitted for pathologic examination and laboratory analysis. We detected viral DNA in samples from all time points tested but did not find a connection between positive dams and offspring mortalities associated with adenovirus hemorrhagic disease. Although we did not find direct evidence of transmission events between dams and offspring, asymptomatic animals shedding of Deer atadenovirus A, are a likely source of infection in neonates.
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endemic chronic wasting disease causes mule deer population decline in wyoming
PLOS ONE, 2017Co-Authors: Melia T Devivo, Matthew J. Kauffman, David R Edmunds, Brant A Schumaker, Justin Binfet, Terry J Kreeger, Bryan J Richards, Hermann M Schatzl, Todd E. CornishAbstract:Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy affecting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), and moose (Alces alces shirasi) in North America. In southeastern Wyoming average annual CWD prevalence in mule deer exceeds 20% and appears to contribute to regional population declines. We determined the effect of CWD on mule deer demography using age-specific, female-only, CWD transition matrix models to estimate the population growth rate (λ). Mule deer were captured from 2010–2014 in southern Converse County Wyoming, USA. Captured adult (≥ 1.5 years old) deer were tested ante-mortem for CWD using tonsil biopsies and monitored using radio telemetry. Mean annual survival rates of CWD-negative and CWD-positive deer were 0.76 and 0.32, respectively. Pregnancy and fawn recruitment were not observed to be influenced by CWD. We estimated λ = 0.79, indicating an annual population decline of 21% under current CWD prevalence levels. A model derived from the demography of only CWD-negative individuals yielded; λ = 1.00, indicating a stable population if CWD were absent. These findings support CWD as a significant contributor to mule deer population decline. Chronic wasting disease is difficult or impossible to eradicate with current tools, given significant environmental contamination, and at present our best recommendation for control of this disease is to minimize spread to new areas and naive cervid populations.
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Whole-genome sequences of Odocoileus hemionus deer adenovirus isolates from deer, moose and Elk are highly conserved and support a new species in the genus Atadenovirus
Journal of General Virology, 2017Co-Authors: Myrna M. Miller, Todd E. Cornish, Terry E. Creekmore, Karen A. Fox, Will Laegreid, Jennifer Mckenna, Marce Vasquez, L. W. WoodsAbstract:We present the first complete genome sequence of Odocoileus hemionus deer adenovirus 1 (OdAdV-1). This virus can cause sporadic haemorrhagic disease in cervids, although epizootics with high mortality have occurred in California. OdAdV-1 has been placed in the genus Atadenovirus, based on partial hexon, pVIII and fibre genes. Ten field isolates recovered from naturally infected mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginiana) and moose (Alces alces) from Wyoming, black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) from California, and Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) from Colorado and Washington state were sequenced. The genome lengths ranged from 30 620 to 30 699 bp, contained the predicted proteins and gene organization typical of members of genus Atadenovirus, and had a high percentage of A/T nucleotides (66.7 %). Phylogenic analysis found that the closest ancestry was with ruminant atadenoviruses, while a divergence of the hexon, polymerase and penton base proteins of more than 15 % supports classification as a new species. Genetic global comparison between the 10 isolates found an overall 99 % identity, but greater divergence was found between those recovered from moose and Elk as compared to deer, and a single variable region contained most of these differences. Our findings demonstrate that OdAdV-1 is highly conserved between 10 isolates recovered from multiple related cervid species, but genotypic differences, largely localized to a variable region, define two strains. We propose that the virus type name be changed to cervid adenovirus 1, with the species name Cervid atadenovirus A. Sequence data were used to develop molecular assays for improved detection and genotyping.
Brant A Schumaker - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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detection of deer atadenovirus a dna in dam and offspring pairs of Rocky Mountain mule deer odocoileus hemionus hemionus and Rocky Mountain Elk cervus canadensis nelsoni
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2021Co-Authors: Kayla M Kauffman, Todd E. Cornish, Brant A Schumaker, Kevin L Monteith, Tayler N Lasharr, Katey S Huggler, Myrna M. MillerAbstract:Adenovirus hemorrhagic disease affects primarily mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni), and moose (Alces alces) in their first year of life. The method by which the causative virus, Deer atadenovirus A, is maintained in the environment and transmitted to neonates is unknown. In this study, we investigated the potential transmission of the virus from dam to offspring in Rocky Mountain mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) and Elk in western Wyoming, US. We sampled dams before parturition during placement of vaginal implant transmitters and at parturition and sampled neonates during capture in their first days of life. We also tested for the virus in mortalities submitted for pathologic examination and laboratory analysis. We detected viral DNA in samples from all time points tested but did not find a connection between positive dams and offspring mortalities associated with adenovirus hemorrhagic disease. Although we did not find direct evidence of transmission events between dams and offspring, asymptomatic animals shedding of Deer atadenovirus A, are a likely source of infection in neonates.
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endemic chronic wasting disease causes mule deer population decline in wyoming
PLOS ONE, 2017Co-Authors: Melia T Devivo, Matthew J. Kauffman, David R Edmunds, Brant A Schumaker, Justin Binfet, Terry J Kreeger, Bryan J Richards, Hermann M Schatzl, Todd E. CornishAbstract:Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy affecting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), and moose (Alces alces shirasi) in North America. In southeastern Wyoming average annual CWD prevalence in mule deer exceeds 20% and appears to contribute to regional population declines. We determined the effect of CWD on mule deer demography using age-specific, female-only, CWD transition matrix models to estimate the population growth rate (λ). Mule deer were captured from 2010–2014 in southern Converse County Wyoming, USA. Captured adult (≥ 1.5 years old) deer were tested ante-mortem for CWD using tonsil biopsies and monitored using radio telemetry. Mean annual survival rates of CWD-negative and CWD-positive deer were 0.76 and 0.32, respectively. Pregnancy and fawn recruitment were not observed to be influenced by CWD. We estimated λ = 0.79, indicating an annual population decline of 21% under current CWD prevalence levels. A model derived from the demography of only CWD-negative individuals yielded; λ = 1.00, indicating a stable population if CWD were absent. These findings support CWD as a significant contributor to mule deer population decline. Chronic wasting disease is difficult or impossible to eradicate with current tools, given significant environmental contamination, and at present our best recommendation for control of this disease is to minimize spread to new areas and naive cervid populations.
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chronic wasting disease model of genetic selection favoring prolonged survival in Rocky Mountain Elk cervus elaphus
Ecosphere, 2014Co-Authors: A L Williams, Terry J Kreeger, Brant A SchumakerAbstract:As the area where chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been found continues to expand, there is concern over the impact it may have on Elk (Cervus elaphus) populations that congregate on winter feedgrounds in Wyoming. A stochastic simulation model was created to determine the effect that genotype-specific CWD mortality rates had on a hypothetical free-ranging Elk population. Life table data gathered from captive Elk held in a CWD-contaminated facility was used to parameterize the model. Modeling the free-ranging Elk herd without hunting or differences in survival by genotype resulted in a near extinction decrease in Elk numbers over a 100-year period. However, incorporating differences in CWD-mortality by genotype into the model allowed the population to stabilize if hunting was modified to harvest only antlered Elk. Our results indicate that, with flexible hunting management, Elk populations could adapt to CWD through changes in the frequency of genotypes associated with the incubation time for CWD.
