Cowpox in zoo and wild animals in the United Kingdom.

J Comp Pathol. July 2023;204(0):39 - 46.

Taiana Costa¹, Mark F Stidworthy², Rosina Ehmann³, Daniela Denk⁴, Ian Ashpole⁵, Gabby Drake⁶, Iuliana Maciuca⁷, Gudrun Zoeller⁸, Hermann Meyer⁹, Julian Chantrey¹⁰

¹ School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Chester High Road, Neston, Liverpool CH64 7TE, UK.; ² International Zoo Veterinary Group, Station House, Parkwood Street, Keighley BD21 4NQ, UK.; ³ Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.; ⁴ International Zoo Veterinary Group, Station House, Parkwood Street, Keighley BD21 4NQ, UK.; ⁵ Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester CH2 1EU, UK.; ⁶ Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester CH2 1EU, UK.; ⁷ School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Chester High Road, Neston, Liverpool CH64 7TE, UK.; ⁸ Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.; ⁹ Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.; ¹⁰ Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Science (IVES), University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston CH64 7TE, UK. Electronic address: chantrey@liv.ac.uk.

Abstract

Cowpox virus is considered to be a re-emerging zoonotic pathogen and a public health threat due to increasing numbers of cases in humans and animals in Europe over the past decade, including within the United Kingdom (UK). We present epidemiological data and diagnostic features of 27 recent, naturally occurring cowpox cases in zoo and wild animals across the UK, including the first reports of cowpox in two snow leopards (Panthera uncia), a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), three Chilean pudus (Pudu puda), a Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) and a Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), and the first reports of Orthopoxvirus infection in a lar gibbon (Hylobates lar), a Southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) and an aardvark (Orycteropus afer). This study provides a detailed overview of cowpox infections in a wide range of non-domestic animal species, presents a range of methods for diagnosis and demonstrates the value of retrospective analysis of pathology surveillance in revealing epidemiological links.

Keywords

Orthopoxvirus; cowpox; cowpox virus; wild animals; zoo animals;

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Archives Highlights:

Coloration in Equine: Overview of Candidate Genes Associated with Coat Color Phenotypes.
In this review, we concisely categorize coat coloration in horses and donkeys, focusing on the biosynthesis and types of melanin involved in pigmentation. Moreover, the review explores how coat color relates to selective breeding and specific equine diseases, offering valuable insights for developing breeding strategies that enhance both the esthetic and health aspects of equine species.

Companion animal veterinary personnel have occupational risk for tularemia and One Health role for tularemia prevention in Kansas.
Forty-three percent (47 of 109) of veterinarians reported diagnosing tularemia in cats and 13% (14 of 109) in dogs. Seven percent (8 of 109) of veterinarians reported having had tularemia. When performing procedures with a high risk of exposure, such as lancing abscesses in tularemia suspects, glove use was 100% but additional personal protective equipment was inconsistent, including eye protection (70%) and surgical face mask (59%).

Case Series: Computed Tomography Features of Extraskeletal Osteosarcoma in Six Dogs.
Although the presence of intralesional mineralization is not a pathognomonic finding, it was consistently identified in the present case series. Therefore, exOSA should be considered in the differential diagnosis when mineralization occurs in a mass unrelated to osseous structures.

Computed tomography findings of nasal cryptococcosis in Australia (2008-2020): 12 dogs and 9 cats.
Dogs were more likely to have a nasal mass, whereas cats were more likely to have a nasopharyngeal mass. Cribriform plate lysis was common in dogs, but not observed in cats. Sinonasal osteolysis was a common feature in both species. Mandibular lymph nodes were commonly enlarged in dogs, whereas in cats, the retropharyngeal lymph nodes were more likely enlarged.

Trust in veterinarians and association with vaccine information sources and vaccination status among dog and cat owners.
62.9% of dog and 61.2% of cat owners were classified as trusting their veterinarians. On average, dog owners consulted 2.50 sources about vaccine information; cat owners consulted 2.27 sources. Veterinarians were the most common primary sources of information for 85.4% of dog owners with high levels of trust, but only 62.6% of dog owners with lower levels. This was the case for 83.8% and 56.3% of cat owners.