PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

D A Jessup

Publications and source records attributed to D A Jessup.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Prevalence of antibody to malignant catarrhal fever virus in wild and domestic ruminants by competitive-inhibition ELISA.

A competitive-inhibition ELISA (CI-ELISA), based on a monoclonal antibody to an epitope conserved among malignant catarrhal fever virus (MCFV) strains of both wildebeest and sheep origin, was used to determine the prevalence of antibody to MCFV in selected domestic and wild ruminants, both free-ranging and captive, from the USA. We evaluated 2528 sera from 14 species between 1990 and 1995, including 80 pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana), 339 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), 103 biston (Bison bison), 17 black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus), 395 domestic cattle (Bos taurus), 291 domestic goats (Capra hircus), 680 domestic sheep (Ovis ammon), 323 elk (Cervus elaphus), 41 llamas (Lama glama), 21 mouflon sheep (Ovis musimon), 54 mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus), 101 mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), 20 muskox (Ovibos moschatus), and 63 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). A high seroprevalence (37 to 62%) was observed in domestic sheep, domestic goats, muskox, and some bighorn sheep populations. Seroprevalence in these species was generally age-related: a very low seroprevalence was present in these animals under one year of age. A low seroprevalence (2% to 13%) was found in clinically-susceptible species such as domestic cattle, deer, elk and bison, supporting the concept that significant numbers of non-lethal infections occur among clinically susceptible ruminants.

Age Factors

Blastogenesis and interleukin-2 receptor expression assays in the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina).

Two in vitro functional assays were developed to evaluate mitogen-induced responses of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBML) from free-ranging harbor seals, Phoca vitulina. Lymphocyte proliferation was measured by a standard blastogenesis assay following optimization of culture conditions including mitogen concentration, cell density, and incubation time. These optimized parameters, with the exception of incubation time, were subsequently employed to measure lymphocyte activation by analytical flow cytometry using fluorochrome-based identification of cell surface interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2r) expression. Baseline values established for free-ranging harbor seals had extensive animal variability; there was evidence that the samples were derived from a group of animals with a normal distribution. Positive correlations were observed between blastogenesis assays, and between blastogenesis and activation assays, when using pokeweed or concanavalin A as the stimulus. However, no relationship was found in the expression of the IL-2r induced by these mitogens. This result supports the contention that the two mitogens stimulate different lymphocyte subpopulations. This was observed only with the IL-2r expression assay because of its unique ability to measure the number of T lymphocytes initially activated rather than the ultimate number of progeny cells identified by blastogenesis. Both assays, used concurrently, should provide a more comprehensive representation of lymphocyte competence and serve as a measure of animal health.

Animals

Seroprevalence of two Babesia spp. isolates in selected bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations in California.

Sera from 111 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and 95 mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were tested using an indirect immunofluorescence assay for antibodies to two isolates of Babesia spp. recently obtained from these hosts in California (USA). The study populations were from six locations: three areas of real or potential sympatry of bighorn sheep and deer, one area with deer only, and two areas with bighorn sheep only. Antibody titers from seroreactive individuals were similar with both babesial isolate antigens (P < 0.05), and seroprevalence was highest in the areas of host sympatry. A moderate to high seroprevalence (> or = 30%) in some of the study populations was evidence that babesial parasites may be common in bighorn sheep and mule deer in some areas of California.

Animals

Antibody prevalence of eight ruminant infectious diseases in California mule and black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus).

We tested 276 sera from 18 free-ranging black-tailed and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) herds in California (USA) collected from 1987 to 1991 in five biogeographical habitat types, for antibodies against eight infectious disease agents. Overall antibody prevalence was 56% for Anaplasma marginale, 31% for Borrelia burgdorferi, 16% for bluetongue virus serotype 17, 15% for epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, 7% for Coxiella burnetii and Toxoplasma gondii, respectively, and 0% for bovine leukosis virus and caprine arthritis/encephalitis virus, respectively. Antibodies against Lyme borreliosis and anaplasmosis were found in deer throughout California, but antibodies against bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease were most prevalent in deer from southern California.

Age Factors

Serologic detection of bluetongue virus infection of black-tailed deer: comparison of serum neutralization, agar gel immunodiffusion, and competitive ELISA assays.

Three adult black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) and four fawns were inoculated with bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 10 or 17, or epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) serotype 1. Animals were bled at irregular intervals thereafter and the presence of virus-specific antibodies in serum determined by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), serum neutralization (SN) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA) tests. Serum antibodies to BTV were detected in all three tests for 692 days after inoculation (DAI) of adult deer, but both the SN and AGID tests gave either erroneous or misleading results. Serum from one deer was negative by the AGID test at 409 DAI with BTV-10 but was positive at 248 and 692 DAI; also one adult and one fawn had antibodies by the SN test to serotypes of BTV with which they were not inoculated. The AGID test for EHDV had false positive results with some sera from animals inoculated only with BTV, and it consistently had false negative results with serum samples collected from an EHDV-inoculated deer at 140 DAI and thereafter. The C-ELISA was the most useful test for the detection of antibodies to BTV because it rapidly gave quantitative and accurate results.

Animals

Geographic analysis of pathogen exposure in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis).

Antibody responses were examined among 998 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in California (USA) to determine spatial patterns of pathogen exposure. Using a shifting frame analysis, a specific geographic region was delineated that contained bighorn sheep with higher (P < 0.05) levels of multiple exposure (antibodies detected against > or = two pathogens), as well as higher prevalence values for eight of ten individual pathogens. This region in southwestern California encompassed all of the peninsular populations of bighorn sheep recently proposed for listing as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Animals

Restriction endonuclease analysis of herpesviruses isolated from two peninsular bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis cremnobates).

In 1989, herpesviruses were isolated from nasal swabs taken from two peninsular bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis cremnobates) in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, San Diego County, California (USA). Using restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) with Pst1 enzyme, each isolate was found to be similar to the Cooper strain of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV). The REA patterns of the two herpesviruses from bighorn sheep were typical of either field strains or vaccine strains of IBRV commonly associated with cattle in the USA.

Animals

A retrospective serologic survey for Anaplasma spp. infection in three bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations in California.

Using an indirect immunofluorescence assay, we determined the prevalence of Anaplasma-reactive antibody in three herds of bighorn sheep, each a different subspecies and occupying a different habitat in California (USA). Antibodies to Anaplasma spp. were identified in none of twenty California bighorn (Ovis canadensis californiana) sampled from the Mt. Baxter herd, 11 of 17 peninsular bighorn (O. canadensis cremnobates) sampled in the Santa Rosa Mountains, and all 20 desert bighorn (O. canadensis nelsoni) sampled at Old Dad Peak/Kelso Mountains. Based on an assay and an adsorption technique, the titers most likely were due to Anaplasma ovis. The presence and species of tick vectors in each of the habitats, and the presence or absence of deer or livestock were identified as factors potentially influencing seroprevalence of antibodies.

Adsorption

Isolation and in vitro cultivation of Babesia parasites from free-ranging desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in California.

Protozoal parasites of the genus Babesia were isolated for the first time from free-ranging desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations in California by in vitro culture of host blood. These naturally infected animals did not have microscopically detectable parasitemia at the time blood was collected for parasite cultivation. Three isolates of small Babesia parasites were cultured from different sample groups of bighorn sheep, and 2 isolates of large Babesia parasites were cultured from a group of bighorn sheep and a group of mule deer, respectively. The size and structure of the various forms of piroplasms from each isolate remained consistent throughout the period of cultivation. Statistical comparison of the sizes of the piroplasms among the isolates indicated that there were at least 2 distinct morphotypes. Four of the 5 isolates were maintained with continuous growth in cultures containing erythrocytes from uninfected donor bighorn sheep, mule deer, and domestic sheep. Cryopreservation or storage of cultures at 4 C for 7 days did not affect viability of the isolates. These results demonstrate the potential for use of in vitro cultivation methods for the isolation of Babesia parasites from free-ranging artiodactylids.

Animals

Blood gas and catecholamine levels in capture stressed desert bighorn sheep.

Forty-seven bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) were captured within a 3-day period in December, 1989 as part of a California Department of Fish and Game effort to repopulate historic ranges in California. They were captured on the Mojave Desert in the Kelso Mountains near Old Dad Peak, San Bernardino County, California. Venous blood gases measured at the site of capture demonstrated a severe metabolic acidosis (base deficit, 23 mEq/liter), with no evidence of respiratory acidosis. There were moderately elevated plasma epinephrine (1.25 ng/ml), norepinephrine (2.60 ng/ml), and dopamine (114 pg/ml) levels. These data appear to reflect animals that have been moderately stressed. These acid-base-catecholamine values differ from values in resting domestic sheep, and are similar to those reported in greyhounds after brief strenuous exercise.

Acid-Base Equilibrium

Using ribosomal RNA gene restriction patterns in distinguishing isolates of Pasteurella haemolytica from bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis).

Pasteurella haemolytica isolates (n = 31) from two isolated captive herds of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) were characterized and compared phenotypically (biotype, serotype, hemolytic activity) and by a genomic fingerprinting method known as ribotyping. Seven to nine distinct phenotypes were observed. Depending on the method used for serotyping, one to three phenotypes were common to both herds. Eighteen isolates, recovered from both herds, were non-hemolytic, biotype T, indirect hemagglutination assay serotype 4. Ribotyping, a method for highlighting genetically conserved deoxyribonucleic acid restriction site heterogeneity with a 32P-labelled Escherichia coli ribosomal ribonucleic acid probe, produced six to eight distinct ribotype pattern groups within the 31 P. haemolytica isolates, depending on the restriction enzyme used. In contrast to phenotypes, ribotypes appeared unique to each herd, and ribotyping helped to further differentiate some isolates of the same biotype and serotype. In addition, ribotyping provided an alternative means for evaluating relationships between isolates differing in hemolytic activity but which were otherwise phenotypically identical. We propose that ribotyping may be a useful adjunct to other bacterial characterization methods in studying the epizootiology of pasteurellosis in bighorn sheep.

Agglutination Tests

Serologic survey for brucellosis in feral swine, wild ruminants, and black bear of California, 1977 to 1989.

A retrospective analysis of brucellosis serologic testing results in eight wildlife species in California from 1977 to 1989 was done. Samples were collected from 5,398 live-captured or hunter-killed animals and tested by combinations of up to six serologic tests for antibodies to Brucella spp. Twenty-three of 611 (3.8%) feral swine (Sus scrofa), one of 180 (0.6%) black bear (Ursus americanus), one of 355 (0.3%) California mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus californicus), and one of 1,613 (0.06%) blacktail deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) samples were considered reactors. Suspect serologic reactions occurred in three of 619 (0.5%) desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) and one of 355 (0.3%) California mule deer samples. Brucellosis is not considered an important wildlife health problem in California except in feral swine.

Animals

Exposure to Psoroptes sp. mites is common among bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations in California.

Sera (n = 806) from 50 populations of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in California (USA) were evaluated for antibodies to Psoroptes sp. mites using a kinetic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Test values for each sample were determined to be either positive or negative at each of two ELISA cutoff values that provided either 100% sensitivity (low cutoff) or 100% specificity (high cutoff), respectively. One hundred sixty-eight (20.8%) sera were seropositive at the low cutoff value, and 87 (10.8%) of these sera also were seropositive at the high cutoff value. Eleven populations were designated as scabies-suspect and 25 populations were designated as scabies-positive because they had at least one seropositive animal at the low and the high cutoff values, respectively. Based on these results, exposure to Psoroptes sp. mites appeared to be widely distributed among bighorn sheep populations from 1980 to 1990 and infested animals may have been present prior to 1980.

Animals

Experimental bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus infection in California black-tailed deer.

Four adult black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemioneus columbianus) and five fawns were inoculated with bluetongue virus (BTV) and one adult deer was inoculated with epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus to produce clinical signs and lesions of hemorrhagic disease. Serologic response was monitored using the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test and the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA). Embryonating chicken eggs and vero cells were used to detect viremia. No animal exhibited clinical or pathologic signs of hemorrhagic disease. Bluetongue viremia was detected as early as 2 days post-inoculation (DPI-2) and in some animals, persisted until at least DPI-12. The earliest detection of BTV antibodies using the AGID was DPI-8. Two adult deer remained seropositive for BTV antibodies for > 9 mo and 1 yr, respectively, using both the AGID and C-ELISA tests. We observed cross reactions between BT and EHD antibodies using the AGID tests. Also, the AGID test did not consistently detect exposure to BTV. Viremia was not detected in the deer inoculated with EHD although this animal was AGID positive between DPI-6 and DPI-49.

Animals

Serodiagnostic antibody responses to Psoroptes sp. infestations in bighorn sheep.

The antibody responses of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) infected with Psoroptes sp. mites were investigated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay on western blots of P. cuniculi antigens. Serum from 20 Psoroptes sp.-infested bighorn sheep (O. canadensis mexicana, O. canadensis nelsoni, O. canadensis canadensis) from New Mexico, Nevada, California, and Idaho reacted strongly with mite antigens ranging from 12 to 34 kd. Serum from 35 Psoroptes sp.-free bighorn sheep of unknown tick infestation status and from three Psoroptes sp.-free bighorn sheep infested with Dermacentor hunteri ticks did not react with these antigens. Psoroptes sp.-specific antibody responses were present throughout a 16 mo period in one infected bighorn sheep, but were not detectable 8 mo following successful treatment. These results demonstrate that specific serodiagnosis of Psoroptes sp. infestation is feasible in bighorn sheep and suggest that antibody responses are indicative of current or recent infestation.

Animals

Estimation of survival and gonotrophic cycle length of Culicoides variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in California.

The use of a time series analysis to estimate the survival rate and gonotrophic cycle length of Culicoides variipennis at 2 California sites is described. Collections were made daily for 28 days in Yolo County (northern California) and for 25 days in Riverside County (southern California) in July and August of 1989, respectively, using CO2-baited suction traps. The time series analysis of these collections yielded a gonotrophic cycle length estimate of 3 days. Stage-specific and daily survivorship estimates 0.242 and 0.623, respectively, were determined for the northern California site. The time series method was found unsuitable for estimating the gonotrophic cycle length or daily survivorship at the southern California site.

Animals