scholarly journals Tsetse Bloodmeal Analyses Incriminate the Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus as an Important Cryptic Host of Animal Trypanosomes in Smallholder Cattle Farming Communities in Shimba Hills, Kenya

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1501
Author(s):  
Faith I. Ebhodaghe ◽  
Michael N. Okal ◽  
Shewit Kalayou ◽  
Armanda D. S. Bastos ◽  
Daniel K. Masiga
Keyword(s):  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Wild Animal ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Farming Communities ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Phacochoerus Africanus ◽  
Shimba Hills

Trypanosomes are endemic and retard cattle health in Shimba Hills, Kenya. Wildlife in the area act as reservoirs of the parasites. However, wild animal species that harbor and expose cattle to tsetse-borne trypanosomes are not well known in Shimba Hills. Using xeno-monitoring surveillance to investigate wild animal reservoirs and sources of trypanosomes in Shimba Hills, we screened 696 trypanosome-infected and uninfected tsetse flies for vertebrate DNA using multiple-gene PCR-High Resolution Melting analysis and amplicon sequencing. Results revealed that tsetse flies fed on 13 mammalian species, preferentially Phacochoerus africanus (warthogs) (17.39%, 95% CI: 14.56–20.21) and Bos taurus (cattle) (11.35%, 95% CI: 8.99–13.71). Some tsetse flies showed positive cases of bloodmeals from multiple hosts (3.45%, 95% CI: 2.09–4.81), including warthog and cattle (0.57%, 95% CI: 0.01–1.14). Importantly, tsetse flies that took bloodmeals from warthog had significant risk of infections with Trypanosoma vivax (5.79%, 95% CI: 1.57–10.00), T. congolense (7.44%, 95% CI: 2.70–12.18), and T. brucei sl (2.48%, 95% CI: −0.33–5.29). These findings implicate warthogs as important reservoirs of tsetse-borne trypanosomes affecting cattle in Shimba Hills and provide valuable epidemiological insights to underpin the parasites targeted management in Nagana vector control programs in the area.

scholarly journals Traveller exposures to animals: a GeoSentinel analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P Muehlenbein ◽  
Kristina M Angelo ◽  
Patricia Schlagenhauf ◽  
Lin Chen ◽  
Martin P Grobusch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Wild Animal ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Behavioral Modification ◽  
Surveillance Network ◽  
Domestic Species ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Animal Bites ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Rabies Vaccination

Abstract Background Human coexistence with other animals can result in both intentional and unintentional contact with a variety of mammalian and non-mammalian species. International travellers are at risk for such encounters; travellers risk injury, infection and possibly death from domestic and wild animal bites, scratches, licks and other exposures. The aim of the present analysis was to understand the diversity and distribution of animal-related exposures among international travellers. Methods Data from January 2007 through December 2018 from the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network were reviewed. Records were included if the exposure was non-migration travel with a diagnosis of an animal (dog, cat, monkey, snake or other) bite or other exposure (non-bite); records were excluded if the region of exposure was not ascertainable or if another, unrelated acute diagnosis was reported. Results A total of 6470 animal exposures (bite or non-bite) were included. The majority (71%) occurred in Asia. Travellers to 167 countries had at least one report of an animal bite or non-bite exposure. The majority (76%) involved dogs, monkeys and cats, although a wide range of wild and domestic species were involved. Almost two-thirds (62.6%) of 4395 travellers with information available did not report a pretravel consultation with a healthcare provider. Conclusions Minimizing bites and other animal exposures requires education (particularly during pretravel consultations) and behavioral modification. These should be supplemented by the use of pre-exposure rabies vaccination for travellers to high-risk countries (especially to those with limited access to rabies immunoglobulin), as well as encouragement of timely (in-country) post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies and Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1 (herpesvirus B) when warranted.

scholarly journals Reversed sexual dimorphism and altered prey base: the effect on sooty owl (Tyto tenebricosa tenebricosa) diet

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohan J. Bilney ◽  
John G. White ◽  
Raylene Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Mammal Conservation ◽  
Reversed Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
And Function

The ecology and function of many Australian predators has likely been disrupted following major changes in prey base due to declines in distribution and abundance of small mammals following European settlement. This study investigated various aspects of the dietary ecology of sooty owls (Tyto tenebricosa tenebricosa), including sexual variation as they potentially exhibit the greatest degree of reversed sexual dimorphism of any owl species worldwide. Sooty owls are highly opportunistic predators of non-volant small mammals, consuming most species known to exist in the region, so their diet fluctuates seasonally and spatially due to varying prey availability, and is particularly influenced by the breeding cycles of prey. Significant intersexual dietary differences existed with female sooty owls predominantly consuming much larger prey items than males, with dietary overlap at 0.62. The current reliance on relatively few native mammalian species is of conservation concern, especially when mammal declines are unlikely to have ceased as many threatening processes still persist in the landscape. Sooty owl conservation appears inextricably linked with small mammal conservation. Conservation efforts should be focussed towards improving prey densities and prey habitat, primarily by implementing control programs for feral predators and preventing the loss of hollow-bearing trees throughout the landscape.

Evaluating Sex Differences in Aggressiveness in Cattle, Bison and Rhesus Monkeys

Behaviour ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 102 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 58-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktor Reinhardt ◽  
Catherine Reinhardt ◽  
Annie Reinhardt
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Macaca Mulatta ◽  
Rhesus Monkeys ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Dominance Status ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
General Belief ◽  
Status Number

AbstractThe assumption has often been made that aggressiveness is predominantly a masculine characteristic (e.g. COLLIAS, 1944; MOYER, 1974; SCOTT, 1975; BOUISSOU, 1983a, b). Many investigators simply accept the idea that males are more aggressive than females. Based on generally applicable operational terms, the validity of the "notion of universal male aggressiveness" (JOHNSON, 1972) has been tested in three different mammalian species. The study was done under nonexperimental conditions by scoring partner-directed aggressions (potentially injurious actions) among members of three undisturbed, heterogeneous groups of Bos taurus, Bison bison and Macaca mulatta. The expression of aggression was regulated by the number of subordinate partners (animals who, without being the target of aggression, consistently withdrew), with high-ranking individuals having more opportunities to display aggressions than low-ranking individuals. Hence, it was self-evident that, whenever the two sexes differed in dominance status (number of subordinates), they also differed in terms of aggression rate (total number of aggressions shown per unit time). The average number of aggressions directed by dominant animals against individual subordinate partners (aggression index: REINHARDT & REINHARDT, 1975) did not exhibit a significant sex difference in any of the three species studied (Bos taurus: xf= 1.8 vs xm = 1.8; Bison bison: xf= 6.9 vs xm = 6.6 ; Macaca mulatta: xf= 4.1 vs xm = 2.9). This was not only true in general but was also consistently confirmed when comparing the sexes within different age classes (adults and juveniles). From this it was inferred that the two sexes were equally aggressive in the general day-to-day situation of dominance reinforcement in all three species. The data thus did not support the general belief that mammalian males are more aggressive than females.

scholarly journals Seroprevalensi dan Faktor Risiko Rabies pada Anjing di Daerah Endemis Kabupaten Sukabumi

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 436-443
Author(s):  
Ardilasunu Wicaksono ◽  
Abdul Zahid ◽  
Etih Sudarnika ◽  
Dordia Anindita Rotinsulu ◽  
Denny Widaya Lukman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Antibody Titer ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Rabies Control ◽  
Chi Square Test

Sukabumi District is reported to date as an endemic rabies area in West Java Province. In supporting the rabies control programs, the occurrence of rabies needs to be determined to decrease the number of cases. This research aims to determine the seroprevalence of rabies and identify the risk factors associated with rabies in the district. The research was conducted in Jampang Tengah and Cisolok sub-districts with positive rabies cases on dogs and humans. The blood samples were taken from 191 selected dogs using simple random sampling. Rabies antibody titer was measured using ELISA, and the risk factor was identified using selected dogs’ data classified into intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and the calculation of the odds ratio. The results showed that the seroprevalence of rabies was 7.9% (4.9-10.9%). The average antibody titer was 0.23 EU with a minimum value of 0.03 EU and a maximum of 0.96 EU. Thus, as high as 7.8% of the population showed rabies seropositivity from the unvaccinated dogs, while among the vaccinated dogs, only 8.0% of the population with rabies protective antibody titer. The significant risk factor of rabies seroprevalence is the typology of raising area (p = 0.003), revealing that the dogs raised in the coastal area had the odds of 5.8 (1.6-21.2) higher to get the rabies seropositivity than the dogs raised in the highland area.   Keywords: antibody titre, dogs, rabies, risk factor, seroprevalence

The hair follicle and apocrine gland population of cattle skin.

1954 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 745 ◽  
Author(s):  
HB Carter ◽  
DF Dowling
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Hair Follicle ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Hair Follicles ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Apocrine Gland ◽  
True Nature ◽  
South Wales

Skin biopsy specimens were collected at a standard midside position from 321 individual cattle (Bos taurus L.) of known age or in defined age groups on pastoral properties in New South Wales and Queensland. Beef cattle were represented by samples from the breeds: Aberdeen Angus, Devon, Hereford, and Shorthorn. Dairy cattle were represented by samples from the breeds: Australian Illawarra Shorthorn, Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, and Red Poll. Data were also obtained on 30 beef Shorthorns repeatedly sampled from birth to the age of 2-1/2 years under severe drought conditions in north Queensland. In all specimens each hair follicle was associated with an apocrine gland as well as a sebaceous gland and an arrector pili muscle. Thus, all hair follicles were homologous with the primary follicles of sheep; no secondary follicles were at any time observed; hence, there was no follicle group comparable in its complexity to that in the sheep and many other mammalian species. Further and more systematic observations by the biopsy and histological methods used in this work are necessary to examine the true nature of breed differences in the follicle and apocrine gland population density of the skin. The Jersey appears to have a denser coat. The data presented in this paper emphasize the dual importance of age and nutritional status of the animal on the hair follicle population density.

scholarly journals Genomic distribution of three promoters of the bovine gene encoding acetyl-CoA carboxylase α and evidence that the nutritionally regulated promoter I contains a repressive element different from that in rat

2001 ◽  
Vol 358 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianqiang MAO ◽  
Sagrario MARCOS ◽  
Scott K. DAVIS ◽  
Jay BURZLAFF ◽  
Hans-Martin SEYFERT
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Acetyl Coa Carboxylase ◽  
Acetyl Coa ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Bovine Gene ◽  
Rapid Amplification ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Different Origins

The enzyme acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACC-α) is rate-limiting for the synthesis of long-chain fatty acids de novo. As a first characterization of the bovine gene encoding this enzyme, we established the entire bovine ACC-α cDNA sequence (7041bp) and used experiments with 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends to determine the heterogeneous composition of 5′ untranslated regions, as expressed from three different promoters (PI, PII and PIII). The individual locations of these promoters have been defined within an area comprising 35kbp on Bos taurus chromosome 19 (‘BTA19’), together with the segmentation of the first 14 exons. Primer extension analyses reveal that the nutritionally regulated PI initiates transcription from at least four sites. PI transcripts are much more abundant in adipose and mammary-gland tissues than in liver or lung. A 2.6kb promoter fragment drives the expression of reporter genes only weakly in different model cells, irrespective of stimulation with insulin or dexamethasone. Thus bovine PI is basically repressed, like its analogue from rat. Finely graded deletions of PI map two separate elements, which have to be present together in cis to repress bovine PI. The distal component resides within a well-preserved Art2 retroposon element. Thus sequence, structure and evolutionary origin of the main repressor of PI in bovines are entirely different from its functional counterpart in rat, which had been identified as a (CA)28 microsatellite. We show that, in different mammalian species, unrelated genome segments of different origins have been recruited to express as functionally homologous PI the ancient and otherwise highly conserved ACC-α-encoding gene.

scholarly journals Ebola outbreak brings to light an unforeseen impact of tsetse control on sleeping sickness transmission in Guinea

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moïse Kagabadouno ◽  
Oumou Camara ◽  
Mamadou Camara ◽  
Hamidou Ilboudo ◽  
Mariame Camara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vector Control ◽  
Human African Trypanosomiasis ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Tsetse Control ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Unique Framework ◽  
Protection Against Infection ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Disease Focus

AbstractIn addition to the thousands of deaths due the unprecedented ebola outbreak that stroke West Africa (2014-2016), national health systems in affected countries were deeply challenged impacting a number of diseases control programs. Here we describe the case of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), a deadly neglected tropical disease due to a trypanosome transmitted by tsetse flies for which no vaccine nor chemoprophylaxis exists. Data are presented for the disease focus of Boffa in Guinea where a pilot elimination project combining medical screening and vector control was launched in 2012. During ebola, HAT active screening activities were postponed and passive surveillance also was progressively impaired. However, tsetse control using small insecticide impregnated targets could be maintained. The over two years disruption of screening activities led to a dramatic increase of HAT prevalence, from 0.7% in 2013 (21/2885) to 2% (69/3448) in 2016, reaching epidemic levels (>5%) in some villages. In deep contrast, control levels reached in 2013 (0.1%; 7/6564) were maintained in areas covered with impregnated targets as no cases were found in 2016 (0/799). In Boffa, ebola has thus incidentally provided a unique framework to assess the impact of current HAT control strategies. A first lesson is that the “screen and treat” strategy is fragile as rapid bursts of the disease may occur in case of disruption. A second lesson is that vector control reducing human-tsetse contacts, even implemented alone, is effective in providing a good level of protection against infection. This advocates for a greater attention being paid to the combination of tsetse control together with medical activities in aiming to reach the HAT elimination objective in Africa.

scholarly journals Expansion of the HSFY gene family in pig lineages

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin M Skinner ◽  
Kim Lachani ◽  
Carole A Sargent ◽  
Fengtang Yang ◽  
Peter JI Ellis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Copy Number ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Gene Copy Number ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Domestic Pig ◽  
Nonsense Mutations

Amplified gene families on sex chromosomes can harbour genes with important biological functions, especially relating to fertility. The HSFY family has amplified on the Y chromosome of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa), in an apparently independent event to an HSFY expansion on the Y chromosome of cattle (Bos taurus). Although the biological functions of HSFY genes are poorly understood, they appear to be involved in gametogenesis in a number of mammalian species, and, in cattle, HSFY gene copy number correlates with levels of fertility. We have investigated the HSFY family in domestic pigs, and other suid species including warthogs, bushpigs, babirusas and peccaries. The domestic pig contains at least two amplified variants of HSFY, distinguished predominantly by presence or absence of a SINE within the intron. Both these variants are expressed in testis, and both are present in approximately 50 copies each in a single cluster on the short arm of the Y. The longer form has multiple nonsense mutations rendering it likely non-functional, but many of the shorter forms still have coding potential. Other suid species also have these two variants of HSFY, and estimates of copy number suggest the HSFY family may have amplified independently twice during suid evolution. Given the association of HSFY gene copy number with fertility in cattle, HSFY is likely to play an important role in spermatogenesis in pigs also.

scholarly journals Colonization of the tsetse fly midgut with commensal Enterobacter inhibits trypanosome infection establishment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian L. Weiss ◽  
Michele A. Maltz ◽  
Aurélien Vigneron ◽  
Yineng Wu ◽  
Katharine Walter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractTsetse flies (Glossina spp.) vector pathogenic trypanosomes (Trypanosoma spp.) in sub-Saharan Africa. These parasites cause human and animal African trypanosomiases, which are debilitating diseases that inflict an enormous socio-economic burden on inhabitants of endemic regions. Current disease control strategies rely primarily on treating infected animals and reducing tsetse population densities. However, relevant programs are costly, labor intensive and difficult to sustain. As such, novel strategies aimed at reducing tsetse vector competence require development. Herein we investigated whether an Enterobacter bacterium (Esp_Z), which confers Anopheles gambiae with resistance to Plasmodium, is able to colonize tsetse and induce a trypanosome refractory phenotype in the fly. Esp_Z established stable infections in tsetse’s gut, and exhibited no adverse effect on the survival of individuals from either group. Flies with established Esp_Z infections in their gut were significantly more refractory to infection with two distinct trypanosome species (T. congolense, 6% infection; T. brucei, 32% infection) than were age-matched flies that did not house the exogenous bacterium (T. congolense, 36% infected; T. brucei, 70% infected). Additionally, 52% of Esp_Z colonized tsetse survived infection with entomopathogenic Serratia marcescens, compared with only 9% of their wild-type counterparts. These parasite and pathogen refractory phenotypes result from the fact that Esp_Z acidifies tsetse’s midgut environment, which inhibits trypanosome and Serratia growth and thus infection establishment. Finally, we determined that Esp_Z infection does not impact the fecundity of male or female tsetse, nor the ability of male flies to compete with their wild-type counterparts for mates. We propose that Esp_Z could be used as one component of an integrated strategy aimed at reducing the ability of tsetse to transmit pathogenic trypanosomes.Author SummaryTsetse flies transmit pathogenic African trypanosomes, which are the causative agents of socio-economically devastating human and animal African trypanosomiases. These diseases are currently controlled in large part by reducing the population size of tsetse vectors through the use of insecticides, traps and sterile insect technique. However, logistic and monetary hurdles often preclude the prolonged application of procedures necessary to maintain these control programs. Thus, novel strategies, including those aimed at sustainably reducing the ability of tsetse to transmit trypanosomes, are presently under development. Herein we stably colonize tsetse flies with a bacterium (Enterobacter sp. Z, Esp_Z) that acidifies their midgut, thus rendering the environment inhospitable to infection with two distinct, epidemiologically important trypanosome strains as well as an entomopathogenic bacteria. In addition to inducing a trypanosome refractory phenotype, colonization of tsetse with Esp_Z exerts only a modest fitness cost on the fly. Taken together, these findings suggest that Esp_Z could be applied to enhance the effectiveness of currently employed tsetse control programs.

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