Victor Bandeira

Snapshot of Viral Infections in Wild Carnivores Reveals Ubiquity of Parvovirus and Susceptibility of Egyptian Mongoose to Feline Panleukopenia Virus

The exposure of wild carnivores to viral pathogens, with emphasis on parvovirus (CPV/FPLV), was assessed based on the molecular screening of tissue samples from 128 hunted or accidentally road-killed animals collected in Portugal from 2008 to 2011, including Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon, n = 99), red fox (Vulpes vulpes, n = 19), stone marten (Martes foina, n = 3), common genet (Genetta genetta, n = 3) and Eurasian badger (Meles meles, n = 4). A high prevalence of parvovirus DNA (63%) was detected among all surveyed species, particularly in mongooses (58%) and red foxes (79%), along with the presence of CPV/FPLV circulating antibodies that were identified in 90% of a subset of parvovirus-DNA positive samples. Most specimens were extensively autolysed, restricting macro and microscopic investigations for lesion evaluation. Whenever possible to examine, signs of active disease were not present, supporting the hypothesis that the parvovirus vp2 gene fragments detected by real-time PCR possibly correspond to viral DNA reminiscent from previous infections. The molecular characterization of viruses, based on the analysis of the complete or partial sequence of the vp2 gene, allowed typifying three viral strains of mongoose and four red fox’s as feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) and one stone marten’s as newCPV-2b type. The genetic similarity found between the FPLV viruses from free-ranging and captive wild species originated in Portugal and publicly available comparable sequences, suggests a closer genetic relatedness among FPLV circulating in Portugal. Although the clinical and epidemiological significance of infection could not be established, this study evidences that exposure of sympatric wild carnivores to parvovirus is common and geographically widespread, potentially carrying a risk to susceptible populations at the wildlife-domestic interface and to threatened species, such as the wildcat (Felis silvestris) and the critically endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus).

First Serological Evidence on Endemicity of HEV Infection in Wild Boar ( Sus scrofa ) Populations from Portugal

Hunting is a common and popular pastime in Portugal. Hunted animals are, generally, for human consumption as meat or local products that are consumed without cooking, increasing the risk of zoonotic transmission of several infectious agents. The present study intended to characterize HEV infection in hunted wild boars (species Sus scrofa) from two regions of Portugal in order to estimate its importance as reservoir for zoonotic spread of HEV to humans, and its possible implication in public health. Markers for both past and/or ongoing HEV infection were evaluated in serum, bile and stool samples of 29 wild boars. The presence of specific HEV antibodies as marker of past infection was evaluated in serum samples, while active HEV infection was evaluated through the detection of HEV genome in bile and stool samples. HEV specific antibodies were detected in 14% of the studied animals, while none of the tested bile or stool samples revealed detectable HEV genome. Despite no active HEV infection was demonstrated in the hunted animals included in the present study, serological analysis revealed the endemicity of HEV infection in Portuguese wild boars from the studied regions, corroborating its possible role as zoonotic reservoir of such virus. The proved endemicity of HEV infection among wild boars further support the importance of including HEV in national and regional surveillance programs for wild animal diseases, as well as to the awareness for thorough cook all wild boar products and to the education of occupationally exposed people in order to prevent HEV infection.

Sex and season explain spleen weight variation in the Egyptian mongoose

Abstract The Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon Linnaeus, 1758) is a medium-sized carnivore that experienced remarkable geographic expansion over the last 3 decades in the Iberian Peninsula. In this study, we investigated the association of species-related and abiotic factors with spleen weight (as a proxy for immunocompetence) in the species. We assessed the relationship of body condition, sex, age, season, and environmental conditions with spleen weight established for 508 hunted specimens. Our results indicate that the effects of sex and season outweigh those of all other variables, including body condition. Spleen weight is higher in males than in females, and heavier spleens are more likely to be found in spring, coinciding with the highest period of investment in reproduction due to mating, gestation, birth, and lactation. Coupled with the absence of an effect of body condition, our findings suggest that spleen weight variation in this species is mostly influenced by life-history traits linked to reproduction, rather than overall energy availability, winter immunoenhancement, or energy partitioning effects, and prompt further research focusing on this topic.