Co-infection of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia in Hedgehogs from China.

Hedgehogs ( Erinaceus amurensis ) is an insectivorous mammal frequently observed in the wild and around the residential areas. However, information about tick-borne diseases in this species is not well known. We investigated tick-borne rickettsial pathogens including Anaplasma , Ehrlichia, Candidatus . Neoehrlichia and Rickettsia in hedgehogs collected in central China. Hedgehogs were captured from Hubei and Jiangxi Province with living traps. PCR amplification and DNA sequencing showed that 26% (19/73) hedgehogs were positive to Anaplasma bovis, 20.5% (15/73) were positive to a tentative new Ehrlichia species; in addition, 13.7% (10/73) hedgehogs were positive to A. bovis and Ehrlichia simultaneously. Ca . Neoehrlichia and Rickettsia species was not detected among the 73 hedgehogs. We concluded that hedgehogs from central China were widely infected with Anaplasma and Ehrlichia , suggesting hedgehogs may play a role in the ecology of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia .

Co-infection of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia in Hedgehogs from China.

Hedgehogs ( Erinaceus amurensis ) is an insectivorous mammal frequently observed in the wild and around the residential areas. However, information about tick-borne diseases in this species is not well known. We investigated tick-borne rickettsial pathogens including Anaplasma , Ehrlichia, Candidatus . Neoehrlichia and Rickettsia in hedgehogs collected in central China. Hedgehogs were captured from Hubei and Jiangxi Province with living traps. PCR amplification and DNA sequencing showed that 26% (19/73) hedgehogs were positive to Anaplasma bovis, 20.5% (15/73) were positive to a tentative new Ehrlichia species; in addition, 13.7% (10/73) hedgehogs were positive to A. bovis and Ehrlichia simultaneously. Ca . Neoehrlichia and Rickettsia species was not detected among the 73 hedgehogs. We concluded that hedgehogs from central China were widely infected with Anaplasma and Ehrlichia , suggesting hedgehogs may play a role in the ecology of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia .

5. Carnivorous mammals

‘Carnivorous mammals’ considers the various carnivorous mammals that have evolved from the common ancestor of all modern mammals—the small, nocturnal, insectivorous mammal. Several mammals still follow this mode of life today: the placental shrews, moles, and hedgehogs; the tenrecs of Madagascar; and many of the opossums of South America and Australia. These have sharp, pointed incisors and canines for capturing prey, followed by sharp-crested premolar and molar teeth. The evolution of a small, insectivorous ancestor into larger bodied, predaceous mammals required relatively few anatomical changes, the main adaptations being for capture of its prey—by stealth hunting by solitary animals or pack hunting by organized social groups.

A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN ENDANGERED FORMOSAN PANGOLINS (MANIS PENTADACTYLA PENTADACTYLA) FROM SOUTHEASTERN TAIWAN

Formosan pangolin, a sub-species of Chinese pangolin is a critically endangered insectivorous mammal found only in Taiwan. Pathological studies are helpful in the diagnosis and investigation of wildlife diseases. Pathological findings in pangolins have not been well documented. The present paper reports the pathological findings of 14 free-ranging Formosan pangolins. External injuries and superficial wounds (6/14) were common finding in gross examination and were mostly found in the legs. Respiratory system (78%, 11/14) lesions included interstitial pneumonia, atelectasis and emphysema. Hepatic changes (43%, 6/14) included necrosis, bile duct hyperplasia, lipidosis and extensive hepatocyte degeneration. Parasites were detected in 57% of pangolins (8/14) studied and included both endoparasites and ectoparasites. Urinary system (21%, 3/14) lesions were interstitial nephritis and nephrolithiasis. Brain lesions were found in three pangolins and included cerebral edema and hemorrhage and ventriculitis. Additional pathological lesions included thyroid gland hyperplasia and left ventricular hypertrophy. The presented pathological findings can aid in the understanding of diseases of pangolins and will contribute knowledge to future investigations on diseases of pangolins.