UNASSIGNED: Over the past few decades, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a global health challenge in human and veterinary medicine. Research on AMR genes in captive wild animals has increased. However, the presence and molecular characteristics of tet(X)-carrying bacteria in these animals remain unknown.
UNASSIGNED: Eighty-four samples were collected from captive wild animals. tet(X) variants were detected using polymerase chain reaction and the isolates were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. All isolated strains were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing. The virulence of an Escherichia coli strain carrying enterotoxin genes was assessed using a Galleria mellonella larval model.
UNASSIGNED: We isolated two tet(X4)-positive E. coli strains and one tet(X4)-positive Raoultella ornithinolytica strain. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests revealed that all three tet(X4)-carrying bacteria were sensitive to the 13 tested antimicrobial agents, but exhibited resistance to tigecycline. Notably, one tet(X4)-carrying E. coli strain producing an enterotoxin had a toxic effect on G. mellonella larvae. Whole-genome sequencing analysis showed that the two tet(X4)-carrying E. coli strains had more than 95% similarity to tet(X4)-containing E. coli strains isolated from pigs and humans in China.
UNASSIGNED: The genetic environment of tet(X4) closely resembled that of the plasmid described in previous studies. Our study identified tet(X4)-positive strains in wildlife and provided valuable epidemiological data for monitoring drug resistance. The identification of enterotoxin-producing E. coli strains also highlights the potential risks posed by virulence genes.

Despite the precarious state of marine turtles as a highly endangered species, our understanding of their diseases remains limited. This case report presents a detailed pathological investigation of spirorchiidiasis, a blood fluke infection that poses a substantial threat to marine turtles. This retrospective study examined three cases of spirorchiid-infected sea turtles, specifically, green sea turtles stranded on Jeju Island, South Korea. Premortem examination of the three spirorchiid-infected green sea turtles demonstrated nonspecific clinical symptoms; blood analysis revealed dehydration, malnutrition, and anemia. Computed tomography scans provided insights into severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations, including the mass present in the joint region. Post-mortem examinations consistently indicated severe lung lesions and systemic manifestations, with histopathological examination confirming the presence of spirorchiid ova across various organs. Despite the global prevalence of spirorchiidiasis in sea turtles, disease severity varies regionally. This report provides a detailed demonstration of the pathology of spirorchiidiasis in sea turtles from Northeast Asia.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is considered to be a microsporidial species of humans and animals in the worldwide. Limited data have been reported on the prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi in livestock and wild animals around Qinghai Lake in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area, which shares water sources, grasslands, and harsh climate with high altitudes. In this study, fecal samples from 110 Tibetan sheep, 128 yaks, 227 wild birds, 96 blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) and 268 Przewalski\'s gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) around Qinghai Lake were collected, and then tested for E. bieneusi by PCR and sequencing analysis based on the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. Among them, ten (9.09%) samples from Tibetan sheep, five (3.91%) from yaks, five (2.20%) from wild birds, one (1.04%) from wild blue sheep and two (0.75%) from Przewalski\'s gazelle were positive for E. bieneusi. Among sheep, there were nine E. bieneusi genotypes, including two known genotypes (BEB6 and J), and seven novel genotypes (named CHS18-CHS24). From yaks, four genotypes were identified, including two known ones (BEB4 and J) and two novel genotypes (named CHN15 and CHN16). While in wild animals, eight genotypes were found, including five different genotypes from wild bids, with three known genotypes (EbpC, J and NCF2), two novel genotypes (named CHWB1 and CHS24), and two genotypes from Przewalski\'s gazelle, with one known genotype J and one novel genotype CHWPG1, and one novel genotype CHWBS1 from blue sheep. According to the phylogenetic analysis, five isolates belonged to group 1, and the others were clustered into group 2. This study provides unique data on the epidemiological reports and potential risk factors for E. bieneusi in both domesticated livestock and wild animals around Qinghai Lake in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area; it is important to better understand the molecular epidemiology and zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area.

Intestinal microbiota play an important role in the survival of the host. However, no study to date has elucidated the adjustment of intestinal microbiota of the host during rewilding. Thus, this study aims to describe the intestinal bacterial community of reintroduced Przewalski’s horse (RPH) after being released into their original habitat for approximately 20 years in comparison with that of captive Przewalski’s horse (CPH), sympatric domestic horse (DH) and Mongolian wild ass (MWA) by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that the prevalent bacterial communities were different among CPHs, RPHs, DHs and MWAs at the family level. NMDS and ANOSIM analysis showed that the pattern of bacterial community composition in captive equines was distinct from that in the wild groups. It is shown that some bacteria had significant differences among different taxa (p < 0.001), such as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Armatimonadetes, Clostrida, Bacteroidia, Clostridiales, Bacteroidales, Rikenellaceae and Bacteroidales_UCG-001. These bacteria were associated with the transition from in captive to in the wild (CPH and RPH), which reflected the change of environmental conditions. Meanwhile, Proteobacteria, Clostridia, Bacilli, Negativicutes, Gammaproteobacteria, Clostridiales, Bacillales, Selenomonadales, Pseudomonadales and Planococcaceae were the changed groups among RPHs, MWAs and DHs, which are related to feeding habits and diseases. Our results clearly showed the differences between intestinal microbiota in reintroduced animals and wild animals and led us to understand the survival state of reintroduced animals in the wild.

Myiasis is an infestation of maggots on living tissue in humans and animals all over the world. It is known to occur in wild animals, while no information is reported in forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii). During our research on the conservation of forest musk deer, we found a new record of traumatic myiasis of an injured forest musk deer. The flies are likely Lucilia caesar (Linnaeus, 1758) according to the results of DNA barcoding technology. We report traumatic myiasis of forest musk deer for the first time, which expands the information on parasite and myiasis of forest musk deer and confirms the potential risk of traumatic myiasis of forest musk deer.

UNASSIGNED: Gut microbiota plays a key role in the survival and reproduction of wild animals which rely on microbiota to break down plant compounds for nutrients. As compared to laboratory animals, wild animals face much more threat of environmental changes (e.g. food shortages and risk of infection). Therefore, studying the gut microbiota of wild animals can help us better understand the mechanisms animals use to adapt to their environment.
UNASSIGNED: We collected the feces of Brandt\'s voles in the grassland, of three age groups (juvenile, adult and old), in both sexes. We studied the gut microbiota by 16S rRNA sequencing.
UNASSIGNED: The main members of gut microbiota in Brandt\'s voles were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. As voles get older, the proportion of Firmicutes increased gradually, and the proportion of Bacteroides decreased gradually. The diversity of the microbiota of juveniles is lower, seems like there is still a lot of space for colonization, and there are large variations in the composition of the microbiome between individuals. In adulthood, the gut microbiota tends to be stable, and the diversity is highest. In adult, the abundances of Christensenellaceae and Peptococcus of female were significantly higher than male voles.
UNASSIGNED: The gut microbiota of Brandt\'s vole was influenced by sex and age, probably due to growth needs and hormone levels. Gut microbiota of wild animals were much influenced by their life-history reflected by their age and sex. Future studies will be directed to identify functions of these \"wild microbiota\" in regulating physiological or behavioral processes of wild animals in different life stage or sexes.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the situation of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild animals in transmission-controlled schistosomiasis-endemic areas in Jiangxi Province, so as to provide scientific evidence for implementing precision control interventions and achieving the goal of transmission interruption and elimination of schistosomiasis.
METHODS: Five endemic villages from Ruichang City and Pengze County that were heavily endemic for schistosomiasis in Jiangxi Province, were selected as the study villages. Wild animals like wild mice were captured, and the livers of wild animals were purchased from the snail habitats in the study villages for detection of S. japonicum infections. In the study villages, S. japonicum human infections were screened using indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) followed by parasitological examinations with miracidial hatching test and Kato-Katz method, and the S. japonicum infection in livestock was tested using a miracidial hatching test with a plastic tube. In addition, snail survey was conducted in the study villages by means of systematic sampling combined with environmental sampling, and the S. japonicum infection in snails was detected using a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay.
RESULTS: A total of 240 liver specimens were sampled or purchased from 5 species of wild animals in the study villages, including wild mice, weasels, pigs, deer and rabbits. A total of 172 wild mice were captured, with a 2.91% rate of S. japonicum infection, and there was no S. japonicum infection detected in other wild animals. The prevalence of Capillaria hepatica infection was 12.21%, 1.96% and 12.50% in wild mice, deer and pigs, respectively. In addition, there was no S. japonicum infection found in either humans or livestock in the study villages, and the mean snail density varied from 0.13 to 0.80 snails/0.1 m2 in the study villages. LAMP assay detected S. japonicum infection in 2 tubes in a study village.
CONCLUSIONS: The role of wild animals in schistosomiasis transmission and their potential risks can not be neglected in hilly schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Jiangsu Province after transmission control. Intensified surveillance and targeted control measures should be implemented to consolidate schistosomiasis control achievements.
［摘要］目的 掌握江西省山丘型血吸虫病传播控制地区野生动物血吸虫感染情况, 为实施精准防控措施及实现血吸 虫病传播阻断和消除目标提供科学依据。方法 选择江西省血吸虫病疫情较重的山丘型流行区瑞昌市和彭泽县的5个 流行村作为调查村。在调查村有螺环境捕捉野鼠等野生动物, 收集来自调查村的野生动物肝脏, 检查其血吸虫感染情 况。在调查村采用间接血凝试验 (IHA) 筛查、粪便尼龙绢袋集卵孵化法和改良加藤厚涂片法检测人群血吸虫感染, 采用 粪便塑料杯顶管孵化法检测家畜血吸虫感染; 采用系统抽样结合环境抽查法调查钉螺分布, 采用环介导等温扩增技术 (LAMP) 检测钉螺血吸虫感染。结果 在调查村捕获、收购野鼠、黄鼠狼、野猪、麂子和野兔等野生动物或肝脏样本 240 只 (份), 其中捕获野鼠172只, 血吸虫感染率为2.91%, 其他野生动物未发现血吸虫感染; 野鼠、麂子和野猪肝毛细线虫感 染率分别为12.21%、1.96%和12.50%。调查村人群和家畜中均未发现血吸虫感染; 各村平均钉螺密度在 0.13 ～ 0.80 只/ 0.1 m2, 在1个村发现2只检测管钉螺有血吸虫阳性。结论 江西省山丘型传播控制地区野生动物在血吸虫病传播中的 作用和潜在风险仍不可忽视; 应继续加强监测, 并采取有针对性防治措施, 以巩固血吸虫病防治成果。.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the species and activities of wild animals infected with schistosome in hilly and mountain areas by using an infrared camera technique, so as to provide the evidence for the surveillance of schistosomiasis in these areas.
METHODS: Six infrared cameras were selected and placed in 6 environments of the risk monitoring points of schistosomiasis in Shitai County in Anhui Province. The species and activities of the wild animals in the 6 environments were observed through the photographs and videos taken by the cameras.
RESULTS: Through 5 day\'s monitoring, 3 wild mammals, such as voles, hares and wild boars, were found in 4 monitoring environments, of which voles were found at 2 environments with snails, and hares, wild boars and voles were found in 2 environments adjacent to environments with snails respectively. The monitoring showed that the vole activity was most frequent in the monitored environment.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of infrared camera technique has a good effect in the investigation of wild animal infectious source of schistosomiasis, and it is also suitable for the monitoring work in other types of environments.
[摘要] 目的 探讨红外相机技术在血吸虫病野生动物传染源调查中的应用价值。方法 选用 6 台红外相机, 分别放置于安徽省石台县血吸虫病风险监测点的 6 处环境进行拍摄。通过拍摄的照片和视频, 分析该区域野生动物传染源的种类和活动情况。结果 通过 5 d 的监测拍摄, 共在 4 个监测环境发现了野鼠、野兔和野猪等 3 种野生哺乳动物, 其中在 2 处有螺环境发现了野鼠, 2 处与有螺环境毗邻的环境分别发现了野兔、野猪和野鼠。监测显示, 监测环境中野鼠活动最频繁。结论 利用红外相机技术调查血吸虫病野生动物传染源有较好效果。.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become useful tools to extend human abilities and capacities. Currently UAVs are being used for the surveillance of environmental factors related to the transmission of infectious diseases. They have also been used for delivering therapeutic drugs and life-saving supplies to patients or isolated persons in extreme conditions. There have been very few applications of UAVs for disease surveillance, control and prevention to date. However, we foresee many uses for these machines in the fight against zoonotic disease. The control of zoonoses has been a big challenge as these diseases are naturally maintained in animal populations. Among 868 reported zoonoses, echinococcosis (hydatid disease) is one of the most severe public health problems and listed as one of 17 neglected tropical diseases targeted for control by the World Health Organization. Infected dogs (domestic or stray) play the most important role as definitive hosts in maintaining the transmission of echinococcosis. However, the actual contribution of wild canines to transmission has received little attention as yet, but should certainly not be ignored. This paper summarizes the history of development and application of UAVs, with an emphasis on their potential use for zoonosis control. As an example, we outline a pilot trial of echinococcosis control in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region, in which UAVs were used to deliver baits with praziquantel for wildlife deworming. The data suggested that this is a cost-effective and efficient approach to the control of zoonotic diseases transmitted among wild animal populations.

Utilization of free-living populations of endangered wildlife species is usually strictly prohibited or restricted. Farming of endangered species can provide products that are in demand as a countermeasure. A novel forensic issue arises because it becomes necessary to discriminate the origin of given wildlife products. We tested the effectiveness of five measurements and four indexes of femur bone using farmed minks (n = 40) and escapees (n = 32). Results showed all measurements, namely body mass (L(f)), body length (M(f)), femur mass (V(f)), femur length (M(b)), and femur volume (L(b)), were highly discriminatory. However, they are susceptible to the influence of nutrition level and sex. Femur length index (I(fl)), femur linear density (D(l)), and femur volume density (D(v)) eliminated the influence of level of nutrition and were highly effective. However, I(fl) and D(l) were influenced by sex (p = 0.000). Because D(v) was not influenced by sex (p = 0.683) and was highly effective, it was the preferred index.