Data release: targeted systematic literature search for tick and tick-borne pathogen distributions in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa from 1901 to 2020.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance data documenting tick and tick-borne disease (TBD) prevalence is needed to develop risk assessments and implement control strategies. Despite extensive research in Africa, there is no standardized, comprehensive review. METHODS: Here we tackle this knowledge gap, by producing a comprehensive review of research articles on ticks and TBD between 1901 and 2020 in Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Over 8356 English language articles were recovered. Our search strategy included 19 related MeSH terms. Articles were reviewed, and 331 met inclusion criteria. Articles containing mappable data were compiled into a standardized data schema, georeferenced, and uploaded to VectorMap. RESULTS: Tick and pathogen matrixes were created, providing information on vector distributions and tick-pathogen associations within the six selected African countries. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a digital, mappable database of current and historical tick and TBD distributions across six countries in Africa, which can inform specific risk modeling, determine surveillance gaps, and guide future surveillance priorities.

AIR SAC TREMATODES (CYCLOCOELIDAE STOSSICH, 1902) INFECTING BIRDS IN ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.

Air sac trematodes (Digenea: Cyclocoelidae) were detected in 23 avian species from eight aviaries in the United States. Most of the infected host species were passeriform birds, but a few species in other orders also were infected. Four species of adult flukes were encountered: Circumvitellatrema momota, Morishitium sp., Psophiatrema greineri, and Szidatitrema yamagutii. Findings from retrospective review of medical records, necropsy records, and author observations are presented. Potential terrestrial snail intermediate hosts were collected from three indoor aviaries. A high prevalence (47%) of larval trematode infections was demonstrated in one species of nonnative snail (Prosopeas achatinacea); one larva was isolated and matched to the adult species (C. momota) from birds using PCR. Problems with introducing potentially infected wild-caught birds into aviaries, and exchanging captive individuals between aviaries where they potentially may carry infections, are discussed.

Projecting the impact of an ebola virus outbreak on endangered mountain gorillas.

Ebola virus is highly lethal for great apes. Estimated mortality rates up to 98% have reduced the global gorilla population by approximately one-third. As mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are endangered, with just over 1000 individuals remaining in the world, an outbreak could decimate the population. Simulation modeling was used to evaluate the potential impact of an Ebola virus outbreak on the mountain gorilla population of the Virunga Massif. Findings indicate that estimated contact rates among gorilla groups are high enough to allow rapid spread of Ebola, with less than 20% of the population projected to survive at 100 days post-infection of just one gorilla. Despite increasing survival with vaccination, no modeled vaccination strategy prevented widespread infection. However, the model projected that survival rates greater than 50% could be achieved by vaccinating at least half the habituated gorillas within 3 weeks of the first infectious individual.

A Novel Coronavirus and a Broad Range of Viruses in Kenyan Cave Bats.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: To investigate virus diversity in hot zones of probable pathogen spillover, 54 oral-fecal swabs were processed from five bat species collected from three cave systems in Kenya, using metagenome sequencing. RESULTS: Viruses belonging to the Astroviridae, Circoviridae, Coronaviridae, Dicistroviridae, Herpesviridae and Retroviridae were detected, with unclassified viruses. Retroviral sequences were prevalent; 74.1% of all samples were positive, with distinct correlations between virus, site and host bat species. Detected retroviruses comprised Myotis myotis, Myotis ricketti, Myotis daubentonii and Galidia endogenous retroviruses, murine leukemia virus-related virus and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum retrovirus (RFRV). A near-complete genome of a local RFRV strain with identical genome organization and 2.8% nucleotide divergence from the prototype isolate was characterized. Bat coronavirus sequences were detected with a prevalence of 24.1%, where analyses on the ORF1ab region revealed a novel alphacoronavirus lineage. Astrovirus sequences were detected in 25.9%of all samples, with considerable diversity. In 9.2% of the samples, other viruses including Actinidia yellowing virus 2, bat betaherpesvirus, Bole tick virus 4, Cyclovirus and Rhopalosiphum padi virus were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Further monitoring of bats across Kenya is essential to facilitate early recognition of possibly emergent zoonotic viruses.

Great ape health watch: Enhancing surveillance for emerging infectious diseases in great apes.

Infectious diseases have the potential to extirpate populations of great apes. As the interface between humans and great apes expands, zoonoses pose an increasingly severe threat to already endangered great ape populations. Despite recognition of the threat posed by human pathogens to great apes, health monitoring is only conducted for a small fraction of the world's wild great apes (and mostly those that are habituated) meaning that outbreaks of disease often go unrecognized and therefore unmitigated. This lack of surveillance (even in sites where capacity to conduct surveillance is present) is the most significant limiting factor in our ability to quickly detect and respond to emerging infectious diseases in great apes when they first appear. Accordingly, we must create a surveillance system that links disease outbreaks in humans and great apes in time and space, and enables veterinarians, clinicians, conservation managers, national decision makers, and the global health community to respond quickly to these events. Here, we review existing great ape health surveillance programs in African range habitats to identify successes, gaps, and challenges. We use these findings to argue that standardization of surveillance across sites and geographic scales, that monitors primate health in real-time and generates early warnings of disease outbreaks, is an efficient, low-cost step to conserve great ape populations. Such a surveillance program, which we call "Great Ape Health Watch" would lead to long-term improvements in outbreak preparedness, prevention, detection, and response, while generating valuable data for epidemiological research and sustainable conservation planning. Standardized monitoring of great apes would also make it easier to integrate with human surveillance activities. This approach would empower local stakeholders to link wildlife and human health, allowing for near real-time, bidirectional surveillance at the great ape-human interface.

Strengthening global health security by improving disease surveillance in remote rural areas of low-income and middle-income countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need to strengthen national surveillance systems to protect a globally connected world. In low-income and middle-income countries, zoonotic disease surveillance has advanced considerably in the past two decades. However, surveillance efforts often prioritise urban and adjacent rural communities. Communities in remote rural areas have had far less support despite having routine exposure to zoonotic diseases due to frequent contact with domestic and wild animals, and restricted access to health care. Limited disease surveillance in remote rural areas is a crucial gap in global health security. Although this point has been made in the past, practical solutions on how to implement surveillance efficiently in these resource-limited and logistically challenging settings have yet to be discussed. We highlight why investing in disease surveillance in remote rural areas of low-income and middle-income countries will benefit the global community and review current approaches. Using semi-arid regions in Kenya as a case study, we provide a practical approach by which surveillance in remote rural areas can be strengthened and integrated into existing systems. This Viewpoint represents a transition from simply highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to disease surveillance to a solid plan for how this outcome might be achieved.

A scoping review of rodent-borne pathogen presence, exposure, and transmission at zoological institutions.

BACKGROUND: Rodents are one of the major taxa most likely to carry zoonotic diseases, harboring more than 85 unique zoonotic pathogens. While the significance of rodents' capacity to carry and transmit disease has been characterized in urban settings, the zoo environment is particularly unique given the overlap of collection, free-living, and feeder rodents as well as non-rodent collection animals, staff, and visitors. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: This scoping review examines reports of rodent-borne pathogen detection or transmission in zoo settings extracted from the literature. Papers were included in the final analysis if there was evidence of presence or exposure to a pathogen in a rodent at a zoological institution. SOURCES OF EVIDENCE: Publications were included from PubMed, CAB Abstracts and Biological Abstracts searched in August 2019. CHARTING METHODS: Data extracted from publications on pathogen presence/exposure included publication identifiers, study identifiers, infectious agent identifiers, rodent identifiers, and non-rodent collection animal identifiers. Extraction from papers with evidence of disease transmission included number of rodents involved in transmission, non-rodent collection animal species and numbers, and job title of humans involved, diagnostic tests performed, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Aggregate literature examined included 207 publications presenting evidence of pathogen presence and/or exposure in rodents across 43 countries in over 140 zoological institutions. A total of 143 infectious agent genera were identified, comprising 14 viral genera, 31 bacterial genera, 83 parasitic genera, and 15 fungal genera. Of these infectious agents, over 75 % were potentially zoonotic. The most common disease-causing agent genera identified were Leptospira, Toxoplasma, Salmonella, and Yersinia. Additional screening for evidence of pathogen transmission across species yielded 30 publications, indicating an area for future investigation to better inform surveillance and management priorities in order to reduce exposure, infection, and transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Analyzing the breadth of rodent species and pathogens identified at zoos highlights the unique opportunity zoos have to be at the forefront of the early detection and identification of novel hosts and geographic ranges of rodent-borne pathogens with high impact on both endangered species and people. The overlap of these populations at zoos exemplifies the importance of considering One Health when prioritizing surveillance and risk mitigation of rodent reservoirs at zoos.

Endemicity of Yaws and Seroprevalence of Treponema pallidum Antibodies in Nonhuman Primates, Kenya.

Human yaws has historically been endemic to Kenya, but current epidemiologic data are lacking. We report seroprevalence for Treponema pallidum antibodies in olive baboons (Papio anubis) and vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in Laikipia County, Kenya. Our results suggest endemicity of the yaws bacterium in monkeys, posing a possible zoonotic threat to humans.

SEROLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF BAYLISASCARIS PROCYONIS IN PRIMATES USING A HUMAN ELISA TEST.

The usefulness of a human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serological diagnosis of Baylisascaris procyonis larva migrans was assessed in nonhuman primates (NHP). The test was originally developed as an assay performed on human samples at Purdue University. Six participating zoos submitted 258 NHP serum samples, spanning these major phylogenetic groups: 1) great apes (n = 84), 2) lesser apes (n = 17), 3) Old World monkeys (n = 84), 4) New World monkeys (n = 20), and 5) prosimians (n = 53). Sera were tested in duplicate using a microtiter-well ELISA with B. procyonis larval excretory-secretory proteins as antigen, and serum from an experimentally infected baboon (Papio anubis) served as positive control. The ELISA clearly identified seropositive animals in all zoos. With putative cutoffs of optical density (OD) measured at 405 nm (OD405) of <0.150 = negative, 0.150-0.250 = indeterminate, and >0.250 = positive, 149 of 258 (57.8%) were clearly negative (mean OD 0.046), and 78 of 258 (30.2%) were clearly positive (mean OD 0.657, range 0.253-1.773), the rest being indeterminate. Of these, 15 were high positive with OD 1.095-1.773 (mean 1.314). Positive animals were seen from all zoos; 76 (97.4%) were great apes, lesser apes, or Old World monkeys. The four highest ODs were in a siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus), lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii), and western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), all from different zoos. Prosimians had a mean OD of 0.039 and New World monkeys 0.021, indicating that human reagents either did not work for these groups or few infected animals were represented. These results indicate that the human ELISA for B. procyonis works well for at least higher phylogeny NHP and that serologic evidence of infection is surprisingly common, correlating with what is known for exposure to this parasite in zoos.

SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY VALUES AND SELECT SEROLOGIC SCREENING OF BROWN HYENAS ( PARAHYAENA BRUNNEA) FROM THE NAMIB DESERT, NAMIBIA.

Blood from 30 free-ranging brown hyenas ( Parahyaena brunnea) was collected for biochemical analysis and select serologic screening in Namibia from 1997 to 2010. Age was found to have an influence on several biochemical parameters that may be related to growth, a developing immune system, and differences in diet. Seasonal differences in diet of coastal brown hyenas also had an overall significant effect on lipemia values, and differences in stress due to varying capture methods could be associated with an increase in glucose and creatinine kinase. Comparisons among hyena species from published data were inconclusive, as some samples may have been derived from captive populations and individuals. Sera were tested for antibodies against 18 pathogens. Antibodies were not detected for most pathogens, but the proportion of sera containing antibodies against canine adenovirus-1 (CAV-1) and canine adenovirus-2 (CAV-2) was 65% and 84%, respectively. There was no effect of sex, age, year of sampling, or contact with domestic dogs, indicating that CAV-1 or CAV-2 may be enzootic. The prevalence of antibodies to canine distemper virus (CDV) was 43%, and older brown hyenas were 6.9 times more likely to have been exposed to CDV, adjusting for year of sampling and degree of estimated contact with domestic dogs, suggesting epizootic outbreaks. This study is the first to present biochemical reference intervals for wild brown hyenas and provides an indication of disease exposure in this species.

Semen collection and ejaculate characteristics of the Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis).

The preservation of spermatozoa is an important tool used in conservation programs to increase the genetic diversity of threatened and endangered species. Although routinely used to manage conservation programs for higher vertebrates, there have been limited attempts to establish reproductive assistance programs for tortoises. The purpose of this study was to develop a model for collecting and characterizing semen in Testudinidae. Semen was collected from 13/16 (81.2%, 95% CI: 62-100) adult male leopard tortoises (Stigmochelys pardalis) via electroejaculation under propofol anesthesia. Semen samples were collected most frequently after the second series of electrostimulations (6/13, 46.1%), with fewer animals producing semen after the first (5/13, 38.5%) or third (2/13, 15.4%) electrostimulations. The average volume of a semen sample in the tortoises was 0.26 ml (standard deviation: 0.16, minimum-maximum: 0.1-0.6), the average spermatozoal concentration was 101.62 × 106/ml, and the average motility at time of collection was 57.3%. A rapid decrease in motility was observed in refrigerated samples over 24 h resulting in a median motility of 0% at 24 h post-collection. The results of this study suggest that electroejaculation is a safe and efficient method for collecting semen from leopard tortoises.

Medication Safety: Simulation Education for New RNs Promises an Excellent Return on Investment.

High-fidelity simulation (HFS) education is a valuable tool for acquisition and maintenance of nursing competencies. Simulation education for new hospital nurses, who are most likely to make medication errors, is an appropriate and urgently needed application, in that the frequency and costs of inpatient medication errors are now a significant threat to both patient safety and operating budgets. Four factors, including baccalaureate preparation, that have converged to make the need for HFS education a cost-appropriate approach to the reduction of inpatient medication errors are reviewed. Most hospitals should be able to recover HFS investment costs within 12 months.

Collection and characterization of semen from green iguanas (Iguana iguana).

OBJECTIVE: To determine an efficient method for the collection of semen samples by means of electroejaculation, characterize spermatozoa quality and quantity, and determine the effect of refrigerated storage on motility of spermatozoa obtained from green iguanas (Iguana iguana). ANIMALS: 18 adult green iguanas. PROCEDURES: Green iguanas were anesthetized, and semen samples were obtained by means of electroejaculation. Up to 3 series of electrostimulations were performed; the procedure was stopped after a semen sample was obtained. Various semen sample variables were evaluated. RESULTS: Semen samples were obtained from 16 iguanas; most (n = 10) iguanas produced a semen sample after the second series of electrostimulations. Median semen sample volume was 0.05 mL. Mean spermatozoa concentration was 2 69.0 × 10(6) spermatozoa/mL. Median percentage of motile spermatozoa was 78%. The only morphological abnormality of spermatozoa was bent tails (mean percentage in a semen sample, 5.7%). Spermatozoa motility decreased significantly during refrigeration (4°C); median percentage motility after 24, 48, and 72 hours of refrigeration was 60%, 33%, and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study suggested electroejaculation can be performed to collect semen samples from green iguanas, characteristics of iguana semen samples are similar to those for semen samples obtained from other reptiles, and motility of iguana spermatozoa decreases during refrigeration within 48 to 72 hours.

Femoral fracture repair using a locking plate technique in an adult captive polar bear (Ursus maritimus).

OBJECTIVE: To report successful femoral fracture repair in a polar bear. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: Female polar bear (Ursus maritimus) 5 years and approximately 250 kg. METHODS: A closed, complete, comminuted fracture of the distal midshaft femur was successfully reduced and stabilized using a compression plating technique with 2 specialized human femur plates offering axial, rotational, and bending support, and allowing the bone to share loads with the implant. Postoperative radiographs were obtained at 11.5 weeks, 11 months, and 24 months. RESULTS: Bone healing characterized by marked periosteal reaction was evident at 11 months with extensive remodeling evident at 24 months. No complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Distal mid shaft femoral fracture was reduced, stabilized, and healed in an adult polar bear with a locking plate technique using 2 plates. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Previously, femoral fractures in polar bears were considered irreparable. Use of 2 plates applied with a locking plate technique can result in successful fracture repair despite large body weight and inability to restrict postoperative activity.

Echinococcus oligarthrus cystic hydatidosis in Brazilian agouti (Dasyprocta leporina).

Echinococcus oligarthrus hydatid cyst disease was diagnosed in two imported wild-caught Brazilian agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). The cysts were found incidentally during routine examinations and never appeared to cause any apparent clinical signs. Identification of the cysts was confirmed via histopathology. Over a period of 2 yr, the cysts calcified but did not reabsorb. Treatment with praziquantal and albendazole did not appear to affect the cysts. Agoutis are intermediate hosts of E. oligarthrus in the wild, where jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor) act as definitive hosts. Caution is advised when working with E. oligarthrus-infected animals because of the zoonotic disease potential.

Compressive myelopathy of the cervical spine in Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis).

Cervical subluxation and compressive myelopathy appears to be a cause of morbidity and mortality in captive Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis). Four cases of cervical subluxation resulting in nerve root compression or spinal cord compression were identified. Three were presumptively induced by trauma, and one had an unknown inciting cause. Two dragons exhibited signs of chronic instability. Cervical vertebrae affected included C1-C4. Clinical signs on presentation included ataxia, ambulatory paraparesis or tetraparesis to tetraplegia, depression to stupor, cervical scoliosis, and anorexia. Antemortem diagnosis of compression was only confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. Treatment ranged from supportive care to attempted surgical decompression. All dragons died or were euthanatized, at 4 days to 12 mo postpresentation. Studies to define normal vertebral anatomy in the species are necessary to determine whether the pathology is linked to cervical malformation, resulting in ligament laxity, subsequent instability, and subluxation.

Safety and immunogenicity of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis DeltalysA DeltapanCD vaccine in domestic cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-positive and FIV-negative cats (n=4/group) received 2 x 10(6) CFU Mycobacterium tuberculosis DeltalysA DeltapanCD intramuscularly. Vaccination elicited antibody responses, albeit at lower levels in FIV-positive cats than in FIV-negative cats. Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses were minimal in both groups. No adverse reactions were found.

Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy and spinal cord decompression in a lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus).

A 16-yr-old, castrated male lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) presented with acute bilateral pelvic limb paralysis. Cisternal and lumbar myelograms demonstrated right-sided spinal cord compression at T13-L1. During an extradural hemilaminectomy, chronically ruptured disk material was removed at T13-L1, with moderate venous dilatation observed cranially. The macaque fully recovered from clinical signs within 2 mo.

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol after a single intramuscular dose in white-spotted bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum).

This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in the white-spotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum). In addition to the pharmacokinetics, the potential application for treatment of bacterial meningitis was explored. A pilot study was used to compare doses of 30, 40, and 50 mg/kg i.m. Following that study, 10 adult sharks were administered a single i.m. dose of florfenicol at 40 mg/kg. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid were collected and analyzed for florfenicol by a sensitive and specific high-pressure liquid chromatographic method. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using both non-compartmental and compartmental techniques. The absorption produced an average peak at 54 (+/-19) hr from the i.m. site of administration, and the half-life was prolonged, averaging 269.79 hr (+/-135.87). Florfenicol plasma concentrations peaked at an average of 11.85 microg/ml (+/-1.45) and were maintained above our target minimum inhibitory concentration of 4-8 microg/ml for at least 120 hr. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations peaked at an estimated 9 microg/ml around 48 hr, surpassing the target minimum inhibitory concentration for at least 72 hr.