High Prevalence of Antibodies against Canine Parvovirus and Canine Distemper Virus among Coyotes and Foxes from Pennsylvania: Implications for the Intersection of Companion Animals and Wildlife.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) and Canine parvovirus (CPV) can cause deadly infections in wildlife and companion animals. In this report, we screened serum from free-ranging eastern coyotes (Canis latrans; N = 268), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes; N = 63), and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus; N = 16) from Pennsylvania, USA, for antibodies (Abs) to CDV and CPV. This comprehensive screening was achieved using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based colorimetric assay. Abs to CDV and CPV were detected in 25.4% and 45.5% of coyotes, 36.5% and 52.4% of red foxes, and 12.5% and 68.8% of gray foxes, respectively. Abs to both viruses were detected in 9.7% of coyotes, 19.1% of red foxes, and 12.5% of gray foxes. This study demonstrates significant wildlife exposure in a northeastern state to CDV and CPV. As wildlife species continue to urbanize, the probability of spillover between domestic animals and wildlife will increase. Ongoing surveillance of wildlife for CDV and CPV exposure is warranted. IMPORTANCECanine distemper virus (CDV) and Canine parvovirus (CPV) are significant health threats to domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) and wildlife. CDV and CPV have been identified in diverse vertebrates, including endangered wildlife species. Susceptibility to these viral pathogens varies significantly among geographic regions and between host species. High morbidity and mortality have been reported with infection by either virus in susceptible species, including dogs. As humans and companion animals encroach on wildlife habitat, and as wildlife becomes increasingly urbanized, the potential for transmission between species increases. This study assessed CPV and CDV Ab prevalence in wild canids (eastern coyotes, red foxes, and gray foxes) harvested in Pennsylvania between 2015 and 2020. High Ab prevalence was demonstrated for both viruses in each species. Ongoing monitoring of CPV and CDV in wildlife and increased efforts to vaccinate dogs and prevent spillover events are essential.

Serologic Evidence for the Exposure of Eastern Coyotes (Canis latrans) in Pennsylvania to the Tick-Borne Pathogens Borreliella burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are tick-borne bacterial diseases caused by Borreliella and Anaplasma species, respectively. A comprehensive analysis of the exposure of eastern coyotes (Canis latrans) in the northeastern United States to tick-borne pathogens has not been conducted. In this report, we assess the serological status of 128 eastern coyotes harvested in Pennsylvania in 2015 and 2017 for antibodies to Borreliella burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum Immunoblot and dot blot approaches were employed to test each plasma sample by using cell lysates and recombinant proteins as detection antigens. The results demonstrate high seropositivity incidences of 64.8% and 72.7% for B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum, respectively. Antibodies to both pathogens were detected in 51.5% of the plasma samples, indicating high potential for coinfection. Antibodies to the B. burgdorferi proteins DbpB, VlsE, DbpA, BBA36, and OspF (BBO39) were detected in 67.2, 63.3, 56.2, 51.6, and 48.4% of the plasma samples, respectively. Antibodies to the A. phagocytophilum P44 and P130 proteins were detected in 72.7 and 60.9% of the plasma samples, respectively.IMPORTANCE The incidence of Lyme disease (Borreliella burgdorferi) and anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum) are increasing in North America and Europe. The causative agents of these debilitating tick-transmitted infections are maintained in nature in an enzootic cycle involving Ixodes ticks and diverse mammals and birds. It has been postulated that predators directly or indirectly influence the dynamics of the enzootic cycle and disease incidence. Here, we demonstrate high seropositivity of eastern coyotes for B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum As coyotes become established in urban and suburban environments, interactions with humans, companion animals, and urban/suburban wildlife will increase. Knowledge of the pathogens that these highly adaptable predators are exposed to or carry, and their potential to influence or participate in enzootic cycles, is central to efforts to reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases in humans and companion animals.

Serologic Evidence of Various Arboviruses Detected in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the United States.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are an abundant mammal with a wide geographic distribution in the United States, which make them good sentinels for monitoring arboviral activity across the country. Exposure to various arboviruses has been detected in white-tailed deer, typically in conjunction with another diagnostic finding. To better assess the exposure of white-tailed deer to seven arboviruses, we tested 1,508 sera collected from 2010 to 2016 for antibodies to eastern equine encephalitis (2.5%), Powassan (4.2%), St. Louis encephalitis, (3.7%), West Nile (6.0%), Maguari (19.4%), La Crosse (30.3%), and bluetongue (7.8%) viruses. At least one arbovirus was detected in 51.3%, and exposure to more than one arbovirus was identified in 17.6% of the white-tailed deer sampled.