背景:由于世界数量减少,小熊猫已被列为濒危物种,疾病被认为是对圈养幼崽健康和生存的巨大威胁。
结果:这项研究分析了32只小熊猫的死亡率(15只雌性和17只雄性,年龄小于两个月)通过肉眼尸检,微生物检验,成都大熊猫繁育研究基地的组织病理学观察,中国,2014-2020年。结果表明,筛选犬瘟热病毒,犬细小病毒,轮状病毒和寄生虫感染均为阴性,然而细菌如肺炎克雷伯菌,变形杆菌,大肠杆菌,粪肠球菌,从一些幼崽的组织样品中分离出假单胞菌。主要死亡原因为呼吸系统疾病(43.75%)和消化系统疾病(28.13%),其次是心血管疾病(12.5%)和新生儿死胎(9.38%)。还检测到肾脏系统疾病和创伤,在较低的发生率(每个病例)。出生后15天内死亡率为68.75%,随年龄增长逐渐下降,性别差异无统计学意义。
结论:本研究可为圈养小熊猫幼仔死因分析提供科学依据,从而提高生存率,帮助建立圈养种群,并进一步对这种濒危物种进行异地保护管理。此外,我们的研究还可以通过识别野生种群中新出现的疾病威胁以及对获救个体的潜在治疗,为野生小熊猫的就地保护提供见解。
BACKGROUND: The red panda has been classified as an endangered species due to the decreased number in the world and disease is considered as a great threat to the health and survival of the cubs in captivity.
RESULTS: This study analyzed 32 red panda cub mortalities (15 females and 17 males, age less than two months) through gross necropsy, microbiological examination, and histopathological observation at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, China, during 2014-2020. The results showed that screenings for canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, rotavirus and parasite infection were all negative, however bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas were isolated from the tissue samples of some cubs. The major causes of death were respiratory (43.75%) and digestive system disease (28.13%), followed by cardiovascular disease (12.5%) and neonatal stillbirths (9.38%). Renal system diseases and trauma were also detected, at lower incidence (one case for each). The mortality rate within 15 days of birth was 68.75% and gradually decreased with age, there was no significant difference in gender.
CONCLUSIONS: This study can provide a scientific basis for the analysis of the cause of death among red panda cubs in captivity, so as to improve the survival rate, help build the captive population and further the ex-situ conservation management of this endangered species. Additionally, our research may also provide insights into the in-situ conservation of wild red pandas by identifying emerging disease threats within the wild population and potential treatment for rescued individuals.