Prevalence and Molecular Analysis of Encephalomyocarditis Virus-2 in the Hazel Dormouse.

The hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) population in the UK continues to decline due to habitat loss, despite reintroductions of captive-bred individuals being conducted nationally for over 30 years. Disease surveillance of captive-bred and wild dormice is performed to identify novel and existing disease threats which could impact populations. In this study, we firstly investigated cause of death in seven hazel dormice found dead in England, through next-generation sequencing identifying a virus closely related to a wood mouse encephalomyocarditis virus-2 (EMCV-2). Subsequently, lung tissue samples from 35 out of 44 hazel dormice tested positive for EMCV-2 RNA using a reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Sanger sequencing methods developed in this study. Formalin-fixed tissues available for nine hazel dormice which tested positive for EMCV-2 RNA were examined microscopically. Three cases showed moderate interstitial pneumonia with minimal to mild lymphoplasmacytic myocarditis, but no evidence of encephalitis. However, the presence of possible alternative causes of death in these cases means that the lesions cannot be definitively attributed to EMCV-2. Here, we report the first detection of EMCV-2 in hazel dormice and conclude that EMCV-2 is likely to be endemic in the hazel dormouse population in England and may be associated with clinical disease.

Health Effects of Patagial Wing Tags in Red Kites (Milvus milvus) in the UK.

Patagial wing tags are commonly used for identification of Red Kites (Milvus milvus) for postrelease monitoring, as they are easy to apply, affordable, permanent, and are apparently safe. The Red Kite was successfully reintroduced in the UK in the second half of the 20th century and postrelease health surveillance has been achieved through radio and satellite tracking, monitoring nest sites, and pathologic investigation of Red Kites found dead. This study reports on pathologic findings associated with the use of patagial wing tags in three of 142 (2.1%) wing-tagged Red Kites examined postmortem since the beginning of the reintroduction project in 1989. In these three Red Kites the presence of the patagial wing tags was associated with inflammatory lesions. Further surveys of the potential short- and longer-term negative effects of patagial wing tags on Red Kites and other birds are advocated; the future use of patagial wing tags in raptors should be carefully monitored.

Leprosy in wild chimpanzees.

Humans are considered as the main host for Mycobacterium leprae1, the aetiological agent of leprosy, but spillover has occurred to other mammals that are now maintenance hosts, such as nine-banded armadillos and red squirrels2,3. Although naturally acquired leprosy has also been described in captive nonhuman primates4-7, the exact origins of infection remain unclear. Here we describe leprosy-like lesions in two wild populations of western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau and Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa. Longitudinal monitoring of both populations revealed the progression of disease symptoms compatible with advanced leprosy. Screening of faecal and necropsy samples confirmed the presence of M. leprae as the causative agent at each site and phylogenomic comparisons with other strains from humans and other animals show that the chimpanzee strains belong to different and rare genotypes (4N/O and 2F). These findings suggest that M. leprae may be circulating in more wild animals than suspected, either as a result of exposure to humans or other unknown environmental sources.

A Sarcina bacterium linked to lethal disease in sanctuary chimpanzees in Sierra Leone.

Human and animal infections with bacteria of the genus Sarcina (family Clostridiaceae) are associated with gastric dilation and emphysematous gastritis. However, the potential roles of sarcinae as commensals or pathogens remain unclear. Here, we investigate a lethal disease of unknown etiology that affects sanctuary chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Sierra Leone. The disease, which we have named "epizootic neurologic and gastroenteric syndrome" (ENGS), is characterized by neurologic and gastrointestinal signs and results in death of the animals, even after medical treatment. Using a case-control study design, we show that ENGS is strongly associated with Sarcina infection. The microorganism is distinct from Sarcina ventriculi and other known members of its genus, based on bacterial morphology and growth characteristics. Whole-genome sequencing confirms this distinction and reveals the presence of genetic features that may account for the unusual virulence of the bacterium. Therefore, we propose that this organism be considered the representative of a new species, named "Candidatus Sarcina troglodytae". Our results suggest that a heretofore unrecognized complex of related sarcinae likely exists, some of which may be highly virulent. However, the potential role of "Ca. S. troglodytae" in the etiology of ENGS, alone or in combination with other factors, remains a topic for future research.

ANESTHESIA WITH MEDETOMIDINE-KETAMINE AND DEXMEDETOMIDINE-KETAMINE IN MOUNTAIN GORILLAS (GORILLA BERINGEI BERINGEI).

Between December 2002 and September 2017, 125 anesthetic procedures involving free-living and orphaned captive mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) were performed in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in East-Central Africa. Of these 125 immobilizations, 114 records were complete enough for inclusion into this study. Anesthetic and physiologic data from these 114 cases were analyzed, of which 57 used medetomidine-ketamine and 57 used dexmedetomidine-ketamine administered intramuscularly. With the use of estimated weights, the mean induction dosage (mg/kg ± SD) for medetomidine was 0.033 ± 0.003 (n = 42), for dexmedetomidine 0.018 ± 0.005 (n = 53), and for ketamine 3.66 ± 0.95 (n = 95). Mean time from injection of induction dose to recumbency was 6.8 ± 3.1 min (n = 74). Atipamezole was administered intramuscularly to reverse anesthesia. First signs of recovery occurred at 5.0 ± 4.0 min, and full recovery was 19.0 ± 17.0 min after administration of the reversal agent. No significant differences in physiologic parameters or anesthetic time variables were noted between healthy and unhealthy individuals. Mean heart rate was 72.0 ± 17.6 beats/min (n = 83) and mean oxygen saturation was 96.5% ± 4.2 (n = 62). Mean respiratory rate was 27 ± 9 breaths/min (n = 84) and mean body temperature 36.6°C ± 1.2 (n = 61). The current protocol has several advantages for field use in this species given its quick induction, few observed side effects, and ability to reverse so that the animal can return more quickly to its social group.