Snakes as sentinel of zoonotic yeasts and bio-indicators of environmental quality.

Reptiles in the wild or as pets may act as spreaders of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. However, studies on the mycobiota of these animals are scanty. This study investigates the occurrence of yeasts from the cloacal swabs of snakes of different origins and the antifungal profile of the isolated strains. A total of 180 cloacal samples of snakes were collected from Morocco (Group I: n = 68) and Italy (Group II: n = 112). Yeast species were biochemically and molecularly identified. A total of 72 yeast strains belonging to 13 genera, 8 from snakes in Group I and five from snakes in Group II were identified. The most frequently isolated species were Trichosporon asahii (22.2%) and Candida tropicalis (15.3%) from snakes in Group I and Debaryomyces spp. (16.7%) and Metahyphopichia silvanorum (11.1%) from snakes in Group II. Multiple azole and amphotericin B (AmB) resistance phenomena were detected among isolated yeasts. Azole multi drug resistance phenomena were detected among yeasts from Group I and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa from Group II, whereas AmB resistance phenomena among those from Group II. Data suggest that snakes may harbor pathogenetic yeasts, being potential reservoirs and spreaders of these organisms in the environment. Since the yeast species community from different groups of animals as well as their antifungal profile reflects the epidemiology of human yeast infections in the same geographical areas, the results indicate that snakes may be considered as sentinels for human/animal pathogenic microorganisms and bio-indicators of environmental quality.

A Simple and Versatile Method for Ex Vivo Monitoring of Goat Vaginal Mucosa Transduction by Viral Vector Vaccines.

Goat may represent a valid large animal model for human pathogens and new vaccines testing. Appropriate vaccine administration is a critical component of a successful immunization program. The wrong route of administration may reduce the efficacy of the vaccine, whereas the proper administration strategy can enhance it. Viral vectors have been employed successfully for goat and sheep immunization; however, no data concerning the vaginal route are available. A viral vector's ability to transduce the site of inoculation is of primary interest. In this study, a fast and reliable ex vivo assay for testing the transduction capability of an Ad5-based vector when intravaginally administered was developed. An Ad5 vector delivering an expression cassette with a bicistronic reporter gene, Ad5-CMV-turboGFP-IRES-Luc2, was constructed. We demonstrated Ad5-CMV-turboGFP-IRES-Luc2's ability to transduce caprine vaginal mucosa by ex vivo bioluminescent imaging (BLI) employing a simple CCD camera apparatus for chemiluminescence western immunoblotting. These data, though simple, provide valuable insights into developing a vaginal immunization strategy using a viral vector-based vaccine to protect against pathogens causing genital diseases.

Identification and characterization of a novel circovirus in Iberian lynx in Spain.

Circoviruses cause severe disease in pigs and birds. Canine circovirus has thus far only been associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders and systemic disease in dogs. The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is one of the most endangered carnivores in Europe and the most endangered felid worldwide. Exploring the virome of these animals may be important in terms of virus discovery and assessing the interspecies-circulation of viruses from related carnivores. In this study, 162 spleen samples from Iberian lynx were screened for CRESS DNA viruses. Overall, 11 (6.8%) of 162 samples tested positive using a consensus PCR. Partial rep sequences were tightly related to each other (96.6-100%). Specific molecular protocols were designed on the partial rep sequences of the novel virus, Iberian lynx-associated circovirus-1 (ILCV-1). By screening a subset of 45 spleen samples, the infection rate of ILCV-1 in Iberian lynxes was 57.8% (26/45). ILCV-1 strains formed a separate cluster intermingled with bat, rodent, mongoose, and felid circoviruses. The genome of the novel virus displayed the highest nucleotide identity (64.3-65.3%) to mongoose circoviruses, thus representing a novel candidate circovirus species. The detection of these viruses in the spleen tissues could suggest systemic infection in the animal host. Overall, these findings suggest that this novel circovirus is common in the Iberian lynx. Further studies are warranted to assess the possible health implications of ILCV-1 in this endangered species.

Epidemiological investigation of enteric canine coronaviruses in domestic dogs: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Canine enteric coronavirus (CeCoV) is a globally distributed enteric pathogen that causes significant harm to canines. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the global dissemination of CeCoV and assess the potential for infected canines to be exposed to various CeCoV genotypes and subtypes. With an aggregated prevalence of 18.8%, the study predicted regional variations, indicating that CeCoV is an exceptionally prevalent disease. The increased likelihood that infected canines will be asymptomatic is a significant cause for concern, as undetected cases of CeCoV infection could persist and spread the disease. This underscores the significance of ongoing surveillance of CeCoV in order to avert its transmission. Nevertheless, further investigation is necessary in order to ascertain the moderators that significantly impact the prevalence and distribution of distinct subtypes and genotypes of CeCoV. Hence, it is imperative to undertake randomized clinical trials in order to acquire a more accurate understanding of the variables that influence the prevalence of CeCoV. By conducting ongoing surveillance, regional variations in the prevalence of CeCoV in canines can be accounted for, thereby enhancing our comprehension of the illness and ultimately impeding its transmission.

Survey of Animal Neoplastic Cases Diagnosed in Nigerian Veterinary Teaching Hospitals, 2000-2017.

Incidence data from 17-year veterinary neoplasm surveillance and registration were reviewed. Most of the neoplastic cases diagnosed in Nigerian veterinary teaching hospitals (VTHs) were in the avian (49%) and canine species (44%). Fewer cases were recorded in the equine (3.2%), bovine (2.4%), ovine (1.5%), caprine (0.3%) and porcine (0.15%) species. Marek's disease was the most prevalently diagnosed neoplastic disease of domestic animals in Nigerian VTHs from 2000-2017. Also, the Nigerian local breed had a higher mean distribution than any other dog breed and this was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Nearly all of the neoplastic cases diagnosed, were found in females (60.4%) and so the mean distribution of sex was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The digestive system, with 296 (46.25%) cases, was the anatomic location where the majority of the neoplastic cases were found. However, the mean distribution of different neoplastic anatomic sites was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In conclusion, little emphasis is given to the appropriate diagnosis and recording of neoplastic cases that are diagnosed. The study provides information regarding the prevalence and distribution of tumours in different animal species consulted in Nigeria veterinary teaching hospitals. To illustrate all of this, ArcGIS software was used. Veterinary clinicians, pathologists and epidemiologists from Nigeria may benefit from the results of this study by freely accessing some specific data regarding the breed, the age group or the gender of some animal species diagnosed with different tumours.

Important Mycoses of Wildlife: Emphasis on Etiology, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Pathology-A Review: PART 1.

In the past few years, there has been a spurred tripling in the figures of fungal diseases leading to one of the most alarming rates of extinction ever reported in wild species. Some of these fungal diseases are capable of virulent infections and are now considered emerging diseases due to the extremely high number of cases diagnosed with fungal infections in the last few decades. Most of these mycotic diseases in wildlife are zoonotic, and with the emergence and re-emergence of viral and bacterial zoonotic diseases originating from wildlife, which are causing devastating effects on the human population, it is important to pay attention to these wildlife-borne mycotic diseases with zoonotic capabilities. Several diagnostic techniques such as fungal isolation, gross pathology, histopathology, histochemistry, cytology, immunohistochemistry, radiography, CT, and molecular methods such as PCR or ELISA have been invaluable in the diagnosis of wildlife mycoses. The most important data used in the diagnosis of these wildlife mycoses with a zoonotic potential have been re-emphasized. This will have implications for forestalling future epidemics of these potential zoonotic mycotic diseases originating from wildlife. In conclusion, this review will highlight the etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, pathogenicity, pathology, and hematological/serum biochemical findings of five important mycoses found in wild animals.

Important Mycosis of Wildlife: Emphasis on Etiology, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Pathology-A Review: PART 2.

Wild animals are an important component of the ecosystem, and play a major role in it. However, in recent years, there has been an astronomical increase in the incidence of wildlife mycotic diseases leading to wildlife extermination. It is important to note that most of these mycotic diseases are zoonotic, and since there is a lot of attention given to zoonosis of a bacterial or viral origin in recent times, it is important to look into the mycotic diseases which may have zoonotic potential. Previously, the authors expatiated on some major wildlife mycotic diseases. In this review, we shed light on the etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, pathogenicity, macroscopic and microscopic pathology, and hematological and serum biochemical findings of dermatophytosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, and sporotrichosis, which are very important mycoses of wildlife.

Lassa Fever-associated Stigmatization among Staff and Students of the University of Benin, Nigeria.

Lassa Fever (LF) remains a health burden in several endemic areas of Nigeria, and its toll remains unabated over several decades. Although most studies have focused on virological and clinical considerations, few studies have attempted to address the perceived psychosocial component of LF disease in Nigeria. Evaluation of stigmatization and discrimination faced by LF survivors is an important step in improving individual health and protecting public health. This study aimed to assess LF-associated stigmatization associated among staff and students of the University of Benin. Descriptive analyses of 600 consenting respondents (300 staff and 300 students) sampled using pretested questionnaires was conducted, and the Chi-square test was used to test for significant association between perceived LF stigmatization and predefined variables. LF was a potential cause of stigmatization in a higher proportion of student (n = 162, 57.9%) than staff (n = 112, 39.9%). LF-associated stigmatization among students was significantly associated with sex (p = 0.012) and poor knowledge (p = 0.013) of LF transmission and prevention. A greater tendency for stigmatization was observed among females than males. A comprehensive emergency response plan incorporating accurate knowledge dissemination about the disease may be a first step toward tackling perceived LF stigmatization.