Ecology and Infection Dynamics of Multi-Host Amdoparvoviral and Protoparvoviral Carnivore Pathogens.

Amdoparvovirus and Protoparvovirus are monophyletic viral genera that infect carnivores. We performed surveillance for and sequence analyses of parvoviruses in mustelids in insular British Columbia to investigate parvoviral maintenance and cross-species transmission among wildlife. Overall, 19.1% (49/256) of the tested animals were parvovirus-positive. Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) was more prevalent in mink (41.6%, 32/77) than martens (3.1%, 4/130), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) was more prevalent in otters (27.3%, 6/22) than mink (5.2%, 4/77) or martens (2.3%, 3/130), and canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2) was found in one mink, one otter, and zero ermines (N = 27). Viruses were endemic and bottleneck events, founder effects, and genetic drift generated regional lineages. We identified two local closely related AMDV lineages, one CPV-2 lineage, and five FPV lineages. Highly similar viruses were identified in different hosts, demonstrating cross-species transmission. The likelihood for cross-species transmission differed among viruses and some species likely represented dead-end spillover hosts. We suggest that there are principal maintenance hosts (otters for FPV, raccoons for CPV-2/FPV, mink for AMDV) that enable viral persistence and serve as sources for other susceptible species. In this multi-host system, viral and host factors affect viral persistence and distribution, shaping parvoviral ecology and evolution, with implications for insular carnivore conservation.

Fatal hepatic sarcocystosis in a free-ranging grizzly bear cub associated with Sarcocystis canis-like infection.

We describe herein fatal hepatic sarcocystosis in a free-ranging grizzly bear ( Ursus arctos horribilis) cub with apicomplexan infection of the liver and brain, both demonstrating 100% homology for Sarcocystis canis and S. arctosi. Fatal hepatic sarcocystosis in dogs has been etiologically associated with intrahepatic schizonts of S. canis. In black and polar bears, a S. canis-like organism produces schizonts in the liver and massive hepatic necrosis. Although intramuscular sarcocysts, taxa S. arctosi and S. ursusi, have been described in healthy brown and black bears, respectively, they have not been detected in bears with hepatic sarcocystosis, to our knowledge, and it is currently unknown whether bears represent an aberrant or intermediate host.

Probable reverse zoonosis of influenza A(H1N1)pdm 09 in a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis).

Striped skunks (skunks) are susceptible to respiratory infection by influenza A viruses (IAV). As they are common synanthropes, maintenance of IAV in skunks could provide a source of infection for humans. We previously studied the nasal turbinates, lungs and faeces of 50 free-ranging skunks for the presence of IAV and identified two individuals with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection during the 2009/2010 and 2013/2014 flu seasons. Subsequent to publication of that study, ferrets were shown to preferentially replicate and harbour A(H1N1)pdm09 in the soft palate, a site which had not been investigated in the skunks. From March 2015 to May 2016, we surveyed a convenience sample of 80 free-ranging urban skunks for IAV in soft palate, nasal turbinates and lungs. The newly emergent influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 clade 6B.1 was detected at all three sites in one skunk with acute rhinitis in February 2016. Clade 6B.1 was the dominant clade in circulation during the 2015/2016 flu season. As the skunk was detected at the height of flu season, reverse zoonosis was considered the most probable source of infection.

Multi-locus sequence typing of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus strains isolated from cats.

Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus ( S. zooepidemicus) causes outbreaks of fatal respiratory disease in dog shelters and fatal respiratory and neurologic disease in cat shelters. We conducted multi-locus sequence typing analysis on S. zooepidemicus isolates from 5 Canadian and 3 Israeli cats with severe respiratory and neurologic disease, plus 1 isolate from a clinically normal shelter cat. Our aim was to determine if feline outbreaks are clonal and whether there is commonality between feline and canine strains. ST363 was identified as the causative strain of a Canadian outbreak of S. zooepidemicus-linked disease, and is a double-locus variant of ST173, which was isolated from one of the Israeli cats. ST363 was also isolated from the clinically normal cat, indicative of the potential for enzootic infection in shelters. Strains within the ST173 clonal complex were responsible for 2 large canine outbreaks in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as the death of 1 cat in the United States outbreak. ST215 was isolated from 2 cats in the Israeli outbreak, and is unrelated to the ST173 complex. We conclude that S. zooepidemicus outbreaks in cat shelters are clonal and that strains within the ST173 clonal complex are pathogenic for both dogs and cats.

Epidemiology and molecular characterization of protoparvoviruses infecting wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) in British Columbia, Canada.

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2) belong to the species Carnivore protoparvovirus 1. While FPV has been endemic in cats for many years, CPV-2 emerged at the end of the 1970s and 3 antigenic variants (CPV-2a, b and c) are currently circulating in domestic and wild animals. Although raccoons played a fundamental role in the emergence of CPV-2a in dogs, knowledge about protoparvoviruses in these animals is still limited. We investigated 72 raccoons found dead or injured in southern British Columbia (BC), Canada, between 2009 and 2017. Among the 49 protoparvovirus-positive (66%) animals, 39 (80%) exhibited enteritis. Approximately 21% were FPV-positive and these were from Vancouver Island, while 79% were CPV-positive and found on the BC mainland, suggesting geographic separation of strains. Notably, one CPV-positive individual was FPV-vaccinated. The co-circulation of multiple FPV strains was observed, while the CPV-2 strain were all classified as CPV-2a, located in one unique clade, and likely originated from a single introduction. All BC CPV-2 sequences possessed a VP2-305His and therefore could represent one of the intermediate viruses that facilitated the emergence of CPV-2a in dogs. Like other raccoon viruses, all BC CPV-2 sequences possessed a VP2-300Asp but, differently, possessed a VP2-301Ala. Finally, two unique amino acid substitutions were identified in the NS1 of FPV (His554Gln and Gly573Cys). To our knowledge, this is the first molecular characterization of protoparvoviruses in wildlife from this region of North America and more studies are needed to elucidate the distribution of these viruses in wildlife outside the USA.

Bronchopneumonia associated with Mannheimia granulomatis infection in a Belgian hare ( Lepus europaeus).

Mannheimia granulomatis was first isolated from pneumonic European hares in the 1980s and has since been reported sporadically in pneumonic Swedish roe deer and Australian cattle. Although the pneumonic lesions caused by M. haemolytica in livestock have been extensively studied and reported, little is published with regard to the pneumonic lesions associated with M. granulomatis infection in any species. We describe the histopathology of purulent bronchopneumonia associated with M. granulomatis in a Belgian hare ( Lepus europaeus) resident in British Columbia, Canada, and compare the lesions with those caused by M. haemolytica in livestock.

Myocardial Necrosis Associated with Clostridium novyi Infection in a Bighorn Sheep ( Ovis canadensis ).

We describe a case of myocardial emphysema and necrosis in a bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ), associated with infection by Clostridium novyi , diagnosed through necropsy, histopathology, and fluorescent antibody testing. We documented rapid onset of disease in an apparently healthy wild sheep and discuss our findings in the context of reported clostridial infections in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife.

A fatal case of complicated congenital peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia in a Holstein calf.

Congenital peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia is a rare condition most commonly reported in cats and dogs. A 6-week-old Holstein heifer calf with a congenital peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia complicated by a perforated abomasal ulcer is described. The clinical signs and pathological findings are compared with those reported in other species.

Un cas mortel d'hernie diaphragmatique péritonéopéricardique congénitale chez un veau Holstein. L'hernie diaphragmatique péritonéopéricardique congénitale est une rare affection qui est le plus fréquemment signalée chez les chats et les chiens. Le cas d'une génisse Holstein âgée de 6 semaines atteinte d'une hernie diaphragmatique péritonéopéricardique congénitale compliquée par un ulcère perforé de l'abomasum est décrit. Les signes cliniques et les résultats pathologiques sont comparés à ceux signalés chez d'autres espèces.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

An unusual case of urinary retention and ulcerative cystitis in a horse, sequelae of pelvic abscessation, and adhesions.

A 21-year-old Quarter horse gelding was presented with stranguria and incontinence of 10 days duration. Despite catheterization and antibiotic therapy, the horse was euthanized. Necropsy revealed posterior abdominal and pelvic abscessation with adhesions of the urinary bladder and severe ulcerative cystitis.

Cas inhabituel de rétention urinaire et de cystite ulcérative chez un cheval, séquelles d'un abcès pelvien et adhérences. Un hongre Quarter horse âgé de 21 ans a été présenté avec de la strangurie et de l'incontinence depuis 10 jours. Malgré le cathétérisme et la thérapie antibiotique, le cheval a été euthanasié. La nécropsie a révélé un abcès pelvien avec des adhérences de la vessie urinaire et une grave cystite ulcérative.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Bronchopneumonia in two dairy calves associated with Mannheimia species cluster V infection.

The pathological, bacteriological, and molecular findings of two 3-week-old Holstein calves with bronchopneumonia are presented. Heavy pure growth of a Mannheimia species most closely aligned with the unnamed cluster V strains on the basis of 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing was detected in the lungs of both calves in association with Bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection. While Mannheimia species closely related to cluster V strains have occasionally been reported in association with pneumonia, meningitis, and abortion in cattle, the current report provides a description of the gross and histopathological lesions produced by a cluster V strain of Mannheimia species. Lesions in the lung were found to be typical of those described for Mannheimia haemolytica with the absence of areas of coagulation necrosis rimmed by leukocytes and more pronounced intra-alveolar hemorrhage. Lesions were linked to the presence of leukotoxin A based on phenotypic hemolysis and molecular demonstration of the leukotoxin A gene.

Pleural actinomycosis in a free-ranging river otter (Lontra canadensis).

Actinomycosis, presenting as chronic proliferative pyogranulomatous pleuritis associated with sulfur granules, was diagnosed in a mature male river otter (Lontra canadensis) captured near Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, in April 2010. The river otter died during sedation for clinical examination and was necropsied immediately. Bacteria of the genus Actinomyces are commensals of the mucous membranes in a wide range of animals and people that act as opportunistic pathogens. This is the first report of actinomycosis in a river otter.

Fatal hepatic sarcocystosis in a captive black bear (Ursus americanus) associated with Sarcocystis canis-like infection.

Fatal hepatic sarcocystosis was diagnosed in a 13-year-old captive black bear (Ursus americanus) with a history of acute onset of vomiting, polyuria, polydipsia, and bilirubinuria. Gross lesions included severe icterus, multisystemic hemorrhage, and gall bladder edema. The most significant microscopic lesion was severe necrotizing hepatitis with intralesional protozoa that reproduced by endopolygeny consistent with a Sarcocystis spp. Infrequent microglial nodules were randomly scattered within the white matter of the cerebral cortices, thalamus, and brainstem, but intralesional protozoal schizonts were not observed. In the liver, immunohistochemistry was positive for Sarcocystis spp. and negative for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. Positive staining was not observed in the brain. Genus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of liver and brain; in both tissues, PCR was positive for Sarcocystis spp. Sequence analysis of the PCR amplicons revealed 100% identity to the published sequences of Sarcocystis canis and Sarcocystis arctosi.

Rhinitis and disseminated disease in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo) naturally infected with Sarcocystis neurona.

Naturally occurring Sarcocystis neurona infection in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo) with rhinitis and disseminated disease are described for the first time. The ferret exhibited severe rhinitis with intra-lesional S. neurona merozoites and schizonts. Diagnosis was confirmed immunohistochemically by staining with S. neurona-specific antibodies, and by phylogenetic analyses of conserved and variable portions of nuclear ribosomal DNA. On the basis of intense schizogony in the nasal mucosa, we propose the possibility of an olfactory nerve pathway route of infection for S. neurona meningoencephalitis.