As part of a respiratory pathogen survey of Alaska wildlife, we conducted a concordance study to assess Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae detection among three different PCR assays using a total of 346 nasal swabs sampled from four species (Dall's sheep, Ovis dalli dalli; mountain goats, Oreamnos americanus; caribou, Rangifer tarandus granti; and moose, Alces alces gigas), and two taxonomic subfamilies (Bovidae subfamily Caprinae and Cervidae subfamily Capreolinae). A federal research laboratory performed two PCR assays (LM40 and intergenic spacer region [IGS]), and a state diagnostic laboratory performed the third (universal Mycoplasma [UM]). Overall concordance was good, ranging from 93% to 99%, which was probably a result of low detection rate of M. ovipneumoniae. Due to differences in positive agreement, the quality of concordance between LM40 and both IGS and UM was considered fair. However, the quality of concordance between IGS and UM was excellent. All three PCR methods detected M. ovipneumoniae in a non-Caprinae species (caribou), and the LM40-PCR assay also detected M. ovipneumoniae in additional Caprinae species. The LM40-PCR assay detected M. ovipneumoniae in a larger number of samples than did the other two assays (IGS, UM). Because of potential differences in detection rates, it is critical to consider test parameters when evaluating a host population for the presence of M. ovipneumoniae.

Farm and wild animals may serve as reservoirs of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria of human health relevance. We investigated the occurrence and genomic characteristics of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing bacteria in Ugandan chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) residing in two environments with or without close contact to humans. The ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from fecal material of chimpanzees from Budongo Forest and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda and were more commonly isolated from chimpanzees in Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, where animals have close contact with humans. Selected ESBL isolates (E. coli n=9, K. pneumoniae n=7) were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing to determine the presence of resistance genes, as well as sequence type and virulence potential; the bla_CTX-M-15 gene was present in all strains. Additionally, the ESBL genes bla_SHV-11 and bla_SHV-12 were found in strains in the study. All strains were found to be multidrug resistant. The E. coli strains belonged to four sequence types (ST2852, ST215, ST405, and ST315) and the K. pneumoniae strains to two sequence types (ST1540 and ST597). Virulence genes did not indicate that strains were of common E. coli pathotype, but strains with the same sequence types as isolated in the current study have previously been reported from clinical cases in Africa. The findings indicate that chimpanzees in close contact with humans may carry ESBL bacteria at higher frequency than those in the wild, indicating a potential anthropogenic transmission.

Ophidiomycosis, caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, poses a threat to the health of wild and managed snakes worldwide. Variation in snake innate immunity, the primary defense against infection in reptiles, may explain the observed variation in ophidiomycosis clinical disease severity among snakes. In this study, two components of the innate immune response were examined in snake plasma. We investigated whether complement activity, as measured by sheep red blood cell hemolysis, and chitotriosidase activity were associated with ophidiomycosis disease severity and time in captivity in Lake Erie watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum). There was no difference in complement-mediated hemolysis or chitotriosidase activities between snakes with varying levels of ophidiomycosis clinical severity sampled in the field. However, among snakes with skin lesions kept in captivity, chitotriosidase activity was significantly higher in snakes with mild disease, compared with snakes with severe disease, and hemolysis activity increased with time in captivity. Overall, Lake Erie watersnakes had higher complement activity, but lower chitotriosidase activity, compared with other reptile species. To our knowledge, this study is the first to describe chitotriosidase activity in a snake species. These results provide mixed evidence of associations between innate immune function and ophidiomycosis severity, and more work is needed to investigate differences among snake species.

Ophidiomyces ophidiicola is an emerging fungal pathogen associated with infections in snakes across North America. Although documented in Pennsylvania, O. ophidiicola has not been found at Powdermill Nature Reserve (PNR) in southwestern Pennsylvania, where the snake assemblage has been studied since 2002 and several species have recently declined. We surveyed for O. ophidiicola and putative ophidiomycosis at PNR. We screened five species of free-ranging, wild snakes (n=34) for suspected ophidiomycosis by visually checking for dermatitis and swabbing for the presence of O. ophidiicola DNA. We found a moderate prevalence of snakes with skin lesions (n=15) but a low prevalence of snakes with O. ophidiicola DNA in traditional PCR assays (n=2). Both positive snakes belonged to the same species and only one presented with lesions. When quantitative PCR screens were performed on duplicate swabs, 19 snakes were positive for O. ophidiicola DNA, with positive individuals in two species. Mark-recapture methods revealed seasonal variability in disease dynamics for sampled snakes. One individual presented with less than five skin lesions and tested negative in May 2020, had more than five lesions with a high fungal DNA load in June 2020, and no lesions with a low fungal DNA load in July 2020. We also found that snakes sampled from under the same cover object at the same time either all tested positive or all negative, including one instance involving two species. Our results underscore the value of using multiple screening techniques for O. ophidiicola surveillance and repeated sampling of individuals to understand the dynamics of ophidiomycosis in wild populations as compared to single method and single timepoint approaches.

Measuring inflammatory markers is critical to evaluating both recent infection status and overall human and animal health; however, there are relatively few techniques that do not require specialized equipment or personnel for detecting inflammation among wildlife. Such techniques are useful in that they help determine individual and population-level inflammatory status without the infrastructure and reagents that many more-specific assays require. One such technique, known as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), is a measure of how quickly erythrocytes (red blood cells) settle in serum, with a faster rate indicating a general, underlying inflammatory process is occurring. The technique is simple, inexpensive, and can be performed in the field without specialized equipment. We took advantage of a population of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), well studied from June 2014 to May 2017, to understand the utility of ESR in an important wildlife species. When ESR was compared with other markers of immunity in African buffalo, it correlated to known measures of inflammation. We found that a faster ESR was significantly positively correlated with increased total globulin levels and significantly negatively correlated with increased red blood cell count and albumin levels. We then evaluated if ESR correlated to the incidence of five respiratory pathogens and infection with two tick-borne pathogens in African buffalo. Our results suggest that elevated ESR is associated with the incidence of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection, parainfluenza virus, and Mannheimia haemolytica infections as well as concurrent Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma centrale coinfection. These findings suggest that ESR is a useful field test as an inflammatory marker in individuals and herds, helping us better monitor overall health status in wild populations.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an increasing threat to wildlife, yet tracking its spread is challenging because infections often appear to be asymptomatic, and diagnostic tools such as blood tests can be invasive and resource intensive. Our understanding of TB biology in wildlife is therefore limited to a small number of well-studied species. Testing of fecal samples using PCR is a noninvasive method that has been used to detect Mycobacterium bovis shedding amongst badgers, yet its utility more broadly for TB monitoring in wildlife is unclear. We combined observation data of clinical signs with PCR testing of 388 fecal samples to characterize longitudinal dynamics of TB progression in 66 wild meerkats (Suricata suricatta) socially exposed to Mycobacterium suricattae between 2000 and 2018. Our specific objectives were 1) to test whether meerkat fecal samples can be used to monitor TB; 2) to characterize TB progression between three infection states (PCR-negative exposed, PCR-positive asymptomatic, and PCR positive with clinical signs); and 3) estimate individual heterogeneity in TB susceptibility, defined here as the time between TB exposure and detection, and survival after TB detection. We found that the TB detection probability once meerkats developed clinical signs was 13% (95% confidence interval 3–46%). Nevertheless, with an adapted test protocol of 10 PCR replicates per sample we detected hidden TB infections in 59% of meerkats before the onset of clinical signs. Meerkats became PCR positive approximately 14 mo after initial exposure, developed clinical signs approximately 1 yr after becoming PCR positive, and died within 5 mo of developing clinical signs. Individual variation in disease progression was high, with meerkats developing clinical signs from immediately after exposure to 3.4 yr later. Overall, our study generates novel insights into wildlife TB progression, and may help guide adapted management strategies for TB-susceptible wildlife populations.

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease among hibernating North American bats caused by the psychrophilic fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans. Since its discovery in New York state, US, in 2006, and as of 2020, WNS has rapidly spread to 34 American states and seven Canadian provinces, causing precipitous declines of native bat populations across North America. The rapid spread of this fungal pathogen has been facilitated by the social behavior of bats, as well as the ability of subterranean hibernacula to support a favorable environment for P. destructans, and is probably exacerbated by anthropogenic transmission events. Although many bat species roost in natural cave environments, bats also selectively use diverse structures for hibernacula. Certain areas of the US lack caves, forcing bats to select different winter roosting environments. Bats have been observed using roadway-associated structures, such as bridges and culverts, for roosting, especially in regions that lack natural cave environments. However, the potential for P. destructans transmission in such roadway-associated structures requires further investigation. Understanding potential pathogen transmission in these widely used anthropogenic structures is crucial to disease management and preventing further declines of imperiled bat populations. Our study investigated these structures as potential pathogen transmission corridors by surveying the use of these structures by Perimyotis subflavus and other susceptible bat populations and by measuring their temperature. The results suggest the environments of roadway-associated culverts are thermally conducive to the proliferation of P. destructans—even in regions with mild winters—and the development of WNS in susceptible bat populations. It is apparent these roadway-associated structures have the potential to spread P. destructans and exacerbate the effect of WNS on susceptible bat populations.

Coxiella burnetii is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that can be associated with significant reproductive disease or acute mortality in livestock and wildlife. A novel marine mammal–associated strain of C. burnetii has been identified in pinnipeds of the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Little is known about C. burnetii infection in regard to reproductive success or population status. Our objective was to characterize the severity and extent of histologic lesions in 117 opportunistically collected placentas from presumed-normal northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) in July 2011 on St. Paul Island, Alaska, US, where a high placental prevalence of C. burnetii had been reported. Sections were examined by histology and immunohistochemistry and impression smears with modified acid-fast stain. The nature and frequency of histologic changes were compared with target COM1 PCR-confirmed C. burnetii positive and negative placentas. Overall, histologic changes were similar to placental lesions described in aborting ruminants; however, changes were variable within and between placentas. Vasculitis and occasional intracellular bacteria were seen only in C. burnetii PCR-positive placentas. Dystrophic mineralization, edema, and inflammation were seen in PCR-positive and negative placentas, although they were statistically more common in PCR-positive placentas. Results suggest that C. burnetti and associated pathologic changes are multifocal and variable in placentas from these presumably live-born pups. Therefore, multiple sections of tissue from different placental areas should be examined microscopically, and screened by PCR, to ensure accurate diagnosis as the genomes per gram of placenta may not necessarily represent the severity of placental disease. These limitations should inform field biologists, diagnosticians, and pathologists how best to screen and sample for pathogens and histopathology in marine mammal placental samples.

The secondary metabolite emodin, produced by the widely distributed invasive shrub known as the common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), has been shown to produce deformities and mortality in invertebrates, fish, and amphibian larvae. Here, we describe the effects on the liver of green frog (Lithobates clamitans) tadpoles after 21 d of exposure to high concentrations of emodin in a controlled environment. Histopathologic analysis showed fibrosis, bile duct proliferation, hepatocellular swelling, and accumulations of flocculent material consistent with emodin within the gall bladder and bile ducts of exposed individuals. The extensive fibrosis produced probably impeded the blood flow within the portal triads, limiting the detoxification function of the liver and resulting in hepatocellular necrosis and premature death for the individuals exposed. Exposure to emodin in the environment could represent a significant threat to developing amphibian larvae and contribute to local declines of populations.

Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are susceptible to anthropogenic mortality factors, including toxic compounds in the environment such as anticoagulant rodenticides (AR) and sources of man-made energy. The physical and behavioral effects of some toxins may predispose eagles to certain causes of death (COD). To investigate the influence of ARs on mortality of Golden Eagles at wind turbine farms, we randomly tested liver samples from 31 eagles found dead on wind farms and submitted to the National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory from 2013–20. The comparison group was composed of 31 Golden Eagles sampled during the same time frame with a COD of power line electrocution as a proxy for a relatively lower effort and altitude activity. Associations between COD, AR exposure, sex, and life stage were assessed. In each group, 12 birds (35%) were found to have been exposed to brodifacoum or bromadiolone prior to death. Logistic regression showed no significant association between COD and sex (P=0.194) or life stage (P=0.895). Across both mortality types, life stage was not a significant predictor of AR exposure (P=0.725), but males were more likely to have been exposed to ARs (P=0.032). These findings suggest that there is no difference in the influence of anticoagulant exposure on higher and lower altitude activity in Golden Eagles.

Skunk adenovirus-1 (SkAdV-1) has been reported infecting several North American wildlife species; however, lesions associated with disease have not yet been completely characterized, particularly in porcupines. We describe and characterize the tissue distribution and lesions associated with SkAdV-1 infection in 24 wildlife diagnostic cases submitted between 2015 and 2020, including 16 North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum), three striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and five raccoons (Procyon lotor), which constitute a new host species. The most common lesion in all species was severe necrotizing bronchopneumonia with (n=12) or without (n=10) interstitial involvement. Intranuclear inclusion bodies were common in respiratory epithelium (n=21) and less often in renal tubular (n=6) and biliary epithelium (n=1). Several cases (n=4) had secondary bacterial infections, including Bordetella bronchiseptica, Pasteurella multocida, and Streptococcus zooepidemicus. In situ hybridization in porcupine (n=6), raccoon (n=1), and skunk (n=1) revealed SkAdV-1 DNA in multiple tissue types, including lung, trachea, turbinates, liver, kidney, lymph node, and brain, and multiple cell types including epithelial, endothelial, and mesothelial cells. These findings were consistent across species. Comparison of viral genomes from a porcupine and a raccoon with that originally isolated from a skunk demonstrated DNA point mutations affecting several viral genes, including the fiber protein gene. Our findings show the spectrum of disease associated with SkAdV-1 infection in a broad host range of wildlife species.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretome refers to a variety of bioactive compounds that represents the more important pathway by which MSCs participate in tissue regeneration. Many of these compounds have shown variable functional activity even across nonmammalian vertebrate species, although MSCs in turtles have not yet been described. Canine adipose MSC secretome has been successfully used experimentally in skin healing. Our aim was to conduct a blinded controlled study to evaluate the effect of canine adipose MSC secretome (cS-MSC) as an alternative for the healing of soft skin, second intention wounds of red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta). Under general anesthesia, one circular, 6-mm full thickness wound was made in each rear leg of 14 females. After randomization, cS-MSC was injected subcutaneously around one wound at days 1, 7, and 14, whereas the other wound acted as control. Biopsies from three animals' wounds were obtained at days 21, 28, 42, and 63. Differences in mean wound retraction at days 21 (n=14) and 28 (n=11) were statistically nonsignificant. The clinical and histopathologic scores performed blind by two different investigators were similar for treated and control wounds. In conclusion, we could not detect a significant functional activity of cS-MSC on wound healing of Trachemys scripta.

Parasites have developed many strategies to ensure their development, multiplication, and dissemination, including the use of reservoir hosts that are often nondomesticated species. Despite drastic reductions in their populations, wild birds remain widespread worldwide and could constitute some of these reservoirs. We focused on the identification of wild bird species harboring parasite stages in their muscles. Breast muscles of 327 birds of 27 different species were collected at three different sites in France. After artificial digestion, isolated nematode larvae were identified by PCR sequencing or restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Toxocara cati was identified mainly in birds of prey. The presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was investigated by modified agglutination test on muscle fluids. Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were detected in 65 out of 166 samples from various bird species. Avifauna, particularly birds of prey, could help on the surveillance of parasite circulation and play a role as sentinel species.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health concern. We identified AMR in fecal Escherichia coli of wildlife (WL), urban wildlife (UWL), and livestock in the eastern region in Sri Lanka and compared the prevalence of AMR bacteria from carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. Fecal samples were collected from 165 animals: WL (n=47), UWL (n=54), and livestock (n=64). Esherichia coli was cultured from 129 samples, with isolation rates of 76% from WL (36/47), 70% from UWL (45/54), and 75% from livestock (48/64). Testing E. coli isolates against 12 antimicrobials using the disk diffusion method revealed that the proportions of E. coli isolates resistant to at least one antimicrobial were WL 52.7%, UWL 20%, and livestock 52%. Multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates were detected in WL, UWL, and livestock. Overall, the prevalence of E. coli isolates with AMR was significantly lower in UWL compared with WL and livestock. The number of isolates showed AMR was significantly higher in E. coli from carnivores than in isolates from omnivores and in herbivores. We conclude that AMR E. coli in Sri Lanka is widespread in WL, UWL, and livestock. The higher incidence of AMR bacteria in carnivores compared with herbivores and omnivores suggest that the mechanisms of spread of AMR may vary among wild animals, which requires further investigation.

Aflatoxins, common contaminants of crops and feed, are a health risk to wild and domestic animals. Past research found aflatoxins in feed and feeders provided for wild herbivores valued for recreational hunting (hereafter: game) species but are consumed by various species. We determined the current extent of aflatoxin contamination in wildlife feed and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) feeders, examined aflatoxin production in corn piles over time, and quantified nontarget wildlife visitation to deer feeders. We sampled feeders (n=107) in Mississippi, US, bagged/bulk feed sources (n=64) in the southeastern US, as well as corn piles exposed to environmental contamination over 10 d (n=20) during May–January of 2019 and 2020. We found aflatoxins (≥5 parts per billion [ppb]) in feeders during summer (4% prevalence, 58±71 ppb mean±SD) and hunting season (October–January, 6%, 60±1 ppb) and in bagged/bulk feed during hunting season (11%, 13±8 ppb). After 8 d, aflatoxins were detected in all summer corn piles at toxic levels (483–3,475 ppb), although none were detected in hunting season piles after day one. Nontarget wildlife identified at feeders included 16 mammalian and 18 avian species. Numerous wildlife species are at risk for aflatoxin exposure due to supplemental feeding of deer, with the primary risk factor in the southeastern US being summertime environmental exposure of feed to aflatoxin-producing fungi.

Between 2011 and 2020, the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre's veterinary hospital admitted 6,335 turtles of eight different species, with 3,246 being midland painted turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata). At the time of admission from the wild, aural abscesses were present in 26 of the painted turtles (0.8%). Aural abscesses were never observed in juvenile turtles and were not found in any other species of turtle admitted to the hospital. An equal number of males and females were affected. All cases showed signs of chronicity. Abscesses alone did not appear to affect the overall health of turtles regardless of clinical signs. All turtles with abscesses as the sole cause for admission were released after successful treatment.

European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are affected by rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD), which is caused by a lagovirus responsible for significant mortality in European wild rabbit populations. Our study aimed to evaluate the potential for detecting viral RNA by duplex real-time PCR in rabbit fecal pellets collected in the field, as a noninvasive method to monitor RHD virus circulation in wild populations. To do this, monthly discoveries of rabbits that died from RHD and detection of viral RNA in fecal pellets were recorded in two enclosed populations of wild rabbits throughout a year. The results suggested a low performance of this procedure to monitor viral infection incidence and a weak concordance with monthly discoveries of rabbits that died from RHD. This poor association was probably due to the low amount of viral RNA in feces, the prolonged time of excretion after infection, and that the number of rabbits found dead from RHD does not necessarily correlate with RHD incidence. Nevertheless, this procedure may be a complementary noninvasive method to assist in determining the presence of RHD viruses in populations. Additional research is needed to determine the suitability of this methodology to perform epidemiologic surveys on wild populations of European rabbits and, especially, other European or North American lagomorph species affected by lagoviruses.

Pathogen surveillance is common in chelonians and multiple anatomical sampling sites are used for pathogen detection, but agreement between these sites has not been assessed. The objective of this study was to assess agreement between three sampling sites, oral swab (OS), cloacal swab (CS), and combined oral/cloacal swab (OCS), for detecting three pathogens in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). Box turtles (n=88) were assayed for Terrapene adenovirus 1 (TerADV1), Terrapene herpesvirus 1 (TerHV1), and Mycoplasmopsis sp. using quantitative PCR. Agreement between pathogen status based on sampling site was assessed using the Cohen kappa. Agreement was highest for Mycoplasmopsis sp. between OCS and OS (k=0.941), whereas moderate and minimal agreement were noted between OCS and CS (k=0.64) and OS and CS (k=0.538). For TerADV1, agreement was weak between OCS and OS (k=0.559), minimal between OS and CS (k=0.283), and absent between OCS and CS (k=0.204). TerHV1 agreement was moderate between OCS and OS (k=0.783) and absent between OCS and CS (k=0.106) and OS and CS (k=0.052). All pathogens were most frequently detected in OCS samples and DNA concentrations differed between sampling sites (P<0.0001). If testing multiple samples is not possible, OCS sampling improves the detection of these three pathogens over OS and CS alone.

Successful repopulation programs of Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) have resulted in an increase in beaver populations throughout Europe. This may be of public health relevance because beavers can host multiple zoonotic pathogens. From March 2018 to March 2020, opportunistic testing of dead beavers was performed for hepatitis E virus, orthohantavirus, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp., extended-spectrum-betalactamase or AmpC (ESBL/AmpC-)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, Francisella tularensis, Leptospira spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Babesia spp., Echinococcus multilocularis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Trichinella spp. From the 24 beavers collected, three zoonotic pathogens were detected. One beaver was positive for T. gondii, one was positive for ESBL/AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and one was positive for N. mikurensis. The latter finding indicates that beavers can be bitten by Ixodes ricinus and be exposed to tick-borne pathogens. The detected ESBL/AmpC-gene was bla_CMY-2 in an Escherichia coli ST6599. The findings suggest that the role of beavers in the spread of zoonotic diseases in the Netherlands is currently limited.

Whole blood samples for lead analysis were collected from 441 raptors admitted to the Zoological Medicine Service at the University of Florida (US) between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2017. The species included Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), Black (Coragyps atratus) and Turkey (Cathartes aura) Vultures, Barred (Strix varia) and Great Horned (Bubo virginianus) Owls, and Red-tailed (Buteo jamaicensis) and Red-shouldered (Buteo lineatus) Hawks. Our hypothesis was that geography, seasonality, and hunting strategies of these species would all affect the blood lead concentrations. Blood lead concentrations were found to vary significantly between species, with known scavengers having higher values. Additionally, seasonal differences were seen between winter and summer, but the county in which these individuals were found did not alter the blood lead concentrations. We found lead contamination to be a common and considerable problem in Bald Eagles and vultures but not as evident in nocturnal and other diurnal raptors in North Florida. Furthermore, concentrations were highest during winter in this temperate location, suggesting a possible relationship with hunting seasons despite a lack of big game.

Botflies (Diptera:Oestridae) are a diverse group of insect parasites that affect various vertebrate species. There are previous reports of myiasis affecting wild primates in Central and South America; however, information about botfly parasitism in Peruvian primates is scarce. We present data from two Cebidae primate specimens: a rescued large-headed capuchin monkey (Sapajus macrocephalus) housed at Taricaya Rescue Center, in Tambopata, Peru, and a free-ranging white-fronted capuchin monkey (Cebus albifrons aequatorialis) inhabiting Cerros de Amotape National Park. The first specimen had a larva identified as Dermatobia hominis, whereas Cuterebra baeri larvae infested the second. In both cases we initially identified the parasite species through their morphologic features before confirming the identification with genetic analysis through the cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial gene sequencing of the larvae. Further field studies on the primate-parasite dynamics are needed to understand the impact of botfly myiasis on primate populations.

Fatal systemic infection by Clostridium tarantellae in a wild Korean raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) was diagnosed based on histopathology, immunofluorescence, PCR, and microbiome taxonomic profiling. Pathologic features were similar to Tyzzer's disease caused by C. piliforme. This is the first report of C. tarantellae infection in Korean raccoon dogs.

We provide hematologic and biochemical information for 13 jaguars (Panthera onca) from the Amazon. Most showed increased lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase; all individuals showed lower mean red blood cell (RBC) counts compared to findings from other biomes. Males had a significantly higher RBC count and alkaline phosphatase than did females.

Serum samples of 638 free-ranging wild mammals from São Paulo state, Brazil, were tested for neutralizing antibodies against rabies virus by the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test. Overall seroprevalence was 1.7% among 24 species surveyed, with individuals of six species having positive results indicating exposure to rabies virus.

A review of hospital admissions for Mississippi Kites (Ictinia mississippiensis) 2014–20 found that most admissions were due to trauma, including ballistic trauma. Overall, 118/ 282 (42%) survived, including releases and transfers. This baseline data may enable earlier detection of epidemics and of human-animal conflict escalation in other kite populations.

We used quantitative PCR to detect Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) in 135 samples of Pelophylax esculentus complex water frogs from 41 Latvian populations. We detected Bd in 18 populations of water frogs. None of the samples was positive for Bsal.

We observed contusion-like lesions caused by live sharksucker (Echeneis naucrates) attachment in an Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis). Our report assists in differentiating epidermal lesions for visual health assessment in this vulnerable species and other cetaceans, and this adds new host and epibiont records for E. naucrates and S. chinensis, respectively.

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which causes chytridiomycosis, mainly infects Anura and Caudata but is poorly known in Gymnophiona. We conducted a survey of Bd in the Yunnan caecilian (Ichthyophis bannanicus) and found that 6 of 71 samples (8.4%) tested positive for Bd. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of Bd in wild I. bannanicus.

Cuban treefrogs, Osteopilus septentrionalis, were grossly examined for parasites and parasite species confirmed by PCR. Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae were recovered from the hind leg muscle of O. septentrionalis. This is the first report of the zoonotic rat lungworm in the Cuban treefrog and new geographic location (Volusia County) in Florida, US.

We calculated reference intervals for 48 blood parameters from 120 wild American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in South Florida, US. Although previously reported by others, this study includes additional parameters not yet reported in wild populations. Most previously reported blood parameter values were similar to ours and fell within our reference intervals.

Rabies-association bat mortality events are rarely reported, suggesting that rabies is not a significant cause of bat mass mortality. Three bat die-offs in National Park Service units were attributed to rabies, highlighting the value of including rabies, and rabies virus strain spillover events, as a differential in mass mortality events.

Book reviews express the opinions of the individual authors regarding the value of the book's content for Journal of Wildlife Diseases readers. The reviews are subjective assessments and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, nor do they establish any official policy of the Wildlife Disease Association.