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Biomedical subjects

W B Karesh

Publications and source records attributed to W B Karesh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Infectious disease serologic survey in free-ranging Venezuelan anacondas (Eunectes murinus).

Reptiles can harbor pathogenic microorganisms asymptomatically and serve as potential reservoirs of infection for humans, domestic animals, and other reptiles. Infectious diseases are also problematic for free-ranging reptile populations and are an important consideration in reptile reintroduction and translocation projects. There have been limited serologic studies of free-ranging reptiles for evidence of exposure to potential pathogens. In the present study, serum or plasma samples from five male and five female free-ranging Venezuelan anacondas (Eunectes murinus) were screened for antibodies to eastern, western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses, vesicular stomatitis virus, ophidian paramyxovirus, 19 Leptospira interrogans serovars, and Cryptosporidium serpentes. Antibodies to these agents were not detected, or antibody titers were low and possibly nonspecific. These results for the limited number of anacondas surveyed suggest that they do not serve as significant reservoirs for these infectious agents at this location.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Serum antigen 85 levels in adjunct testing for active mycobacterial infections in orangutans.

Diagnosis of active mycobacterial disease in orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) has been impeded by high levels of non-specific intradermal skin test reactivity to mycobacterial antigens. This may be due in part to cross reactivity between antigens, tuberculin concentrations used or other species-specific factors. Antigen 85 (Ag85) complex proteins are major secretory products of actively growing mycobacteria, and measurement of serum Ag85 could provide a method for determining active mycobacterial infections that was not dependent on host immunity. Serum Ag85 was measured by dot-immunobinding assay using monoclonal anti-Ag85, purified Ag85 standard and enhanced chemiluminescence technology in coded serum samples from 14 captive orangutans from a zoo in Colorado, 15 semi-captive orangutans in Malaysia, and 19 free-ranging wild orangutans in Malaysia. Orangutans from Colorado (USA) were culture negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. avium, although all had laboratory suspicion or evidence of mycobacterial infection; median serum Ag85 was 10 microU/ml (range, <0.25-630 microU/ml). Of the semi-captive orangutans, six were skin test reactive and two were culture positive for M. avium on necropsy. Median serum Ag85 for this group was 1,880 microU/ml (0.75-7,000 microU/ml), significantly higher than that of Colorado zoo or free-ranging Malaysian orangutans. Median serum Ag85 in the latter group was 125 microU/ml (range, 0.75-2,500 microU/ml). These data suggest that suggest that additional studies using more specific reagents and more samples from animals of known status are appropriate.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Conservation medicine.

The Field Veterinary Program (FVP) of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) was created in 1989 to combat the wildlife disease and health problems that increasingly complicate the process of wildlife conservation. The FVP provides veterinary services for the more than 300 WCS conservation projects located in more than 50 countries around the world. Most of these projects are in tropical regions and many have a wildlife/domestic livestock component. Wildlife health care provided by the FVP staff includes (1) identifying critical health factors; (2) monitoring health status; (3) crisis intervention; (4) developing and applying new technologies; (5) animal handling and welfare concerns; and (6) training. Additionally, the staff of the FVP give expert advice to many governmental and non-governmental agencies that are involved in setting policies directly related to wildlife health and conservation issues. In this paper, two FVP projects are presented as examples of studies that have increased our understanding of the role wildlife diseases may play in the health of livestock and human populations, as well as the role humans and livestock may play in the health of wildlife populations. Examples of the collaborative work between the FVP staff and scientists from many disciplines (e.g., acarologists, mycobacterium experts, ecologists, and biologists) are also presented.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Health evaluation of free-ranging rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocomes) in Argentina.

As part of annual colony counts in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, a health survey of rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocomes) was conducted in 1994. Forty-five birds were examined during handling procedures, and blood and fecal samples were collected for laboratory analysis. All birds appeared to be in good condition. No ecto- or endoparasites were found. Hematology, plasma chemistry, and plasma mineral levels were measured and correlated with the results of bacterial and viral serology. Antibodies against Chlamydia sp., avian adenovirus, avian encephalomyelitis virus, infectious bronchitis virus, avian reovirus, and paramyxovirus-1, -2, and -3 were found. Mean plasma chemistry and mineral values differed between individuals testing positive and negative on serologic tests. There was no serologic evidence of exposure to avian influenza virus, duck viral enteritis, infectious bursal disease, infectious laryngotracheitis, Aspergillus sp., or Salmonella pullorum. Trace amounts of endrin were found in the plasma of one bird, but all other chlorinated pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl levels were below detectable limits.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Immobilization and health assessment of free-ranging black spider monkeys (Ateles paniscus chamek).

Eight free-ranging black spider monkeys (Ateles paniscus chamek) were immobilized with Telazol in Bolivia for the purpose of radio-collaring. During this procedure, the animals received complete medical examinations, and samples were collected for health analyses. Biochemical test results varied with the degree of condition of the animals, and a variety of physical abnormalities were found. Evidence of previous infections with Leptospira sp., encephalitis virus, and yellow fever virus was found. All findings contribute to establishing baseline health values for the species. The handling of primates for research projects provides a valuable opportunity to collect health-related data and samples that can contribute to wildlife management and conservation efforts. The capture and handling of free-ranging primates is always accompanied by risk of injury or mortality. It is ethically important to maximize the amount of information gathered during these procedures. Furthermore, sharing the undesirable impacts with the scientific community enables informed decisions to be made during future project development.

Anesthetics↗
PubMed1998

Health evaluation of free-ranging guanaco (Lama guanicoe).

Twenty free-ranging guanaco (Lama guanicoe) in Chubut Province, Argentina, were immobilized for health evaluations. All but two animals appeared to be in good condition. Hematology, serum chemistry, and vitamin and mineral levels were measured, and feces were evaluated for parasites. Serology tests included bluetongue, brucellosis, bovine respiratory syncitial virus, bovine viral diarrhea/mucosal disease, equine herpesvirus 1, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, Johne's disease (Mycobacterium paratuberculosis), foot and mouth disease, leptospirosis (17 serovars), parainfluenza-3, and vesicular stomatitis. Blood samples from 20 domestic sheep (Ovis aries) maintained in the same reserve with the guanaco were also collected at the same time for serology tests. No guanaco had positive serologic tests. Sheep were found to have antibody titers to bovine respiratory syncytial virus, Johne's disease, leptospirosis, and parainfluenza-3. There was no apparent difference in external appearance or condition, or statistical difference in blood test values, between the animals that were positive or negative for parasite ova.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed1998

First records of Hyalomma aegyptium (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae) from the Russian spur-thighed tortoise, Testudo graeca nikolskii, with an analysis of tick population dynamics.

During the fall of 1995 and the spring of 1996, 77 statistically comparable tick collections, comprising 792 specimens, were made from adults of the Russian spur-thighed tortoise, Testudo graeca nikolskii, at 4 sites along Russia's Black Sea coast. These are the first tick collections reported from T. g. nikolskii since its recognition as a taxonomic entity. All ticks were determined to be Hyalomma (Hyalomma) aegyptium, a common tortoise parasite in southern Russia that in 1930 was erroneously designated the type of subgenus Hyalommasta. Male ticks were recovered from more tortoises (67) than were females (57) or immatures (14), and nymphs were seen only in the fall. Significantly more ticks parasitized male tortoises than females, perhaps because males of T. g. nikolskii have larger home ranges. However, no functional relationship was found between tortoise ventral surface area and degree of tick infestation. Like other tortoise ticks, H. aegyptium is expected to decline in concert with its increasingly threatened hosts.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Health evaluation of black-faced impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi) using blood chemistry and serology.

As part of ongoing ecological studies of black-faced impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi) in northern Namibia, blood samples were collected and analyzed from 26 animals captured for translocation in 1992. All animals appeared to be in good condition and no abnormality was noted during physical examination. Serum chemistry and mineral levels were measured and correlated with the results of bacterial and viral serology and were within the normal ranges for domestic ruminants. Antibody titers for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and bovine viral diarrhea were detected. Serological tests for bluetongue, foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, parainfluenza 3, brucellosis, leptospirosis, and anaplasmosis were negative. Significant differences in disease prevalence were not found between sexes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Health evaluation of free-ranging and hand-reared macaws (Ara spp.) in Peru.

As part of ongoing ecological studies and reproduction enhancement efforts for macaws in southwestern Peru, a health survey of parent- and hand-reared scarlet macaws (Ara macao) and blue and gold macaws (Ara ararauna) was conducted in 1994. Thirty-three birds were examined during handling procedures, and blood samples were collected from 27 (9 parent reared, 18 hand reared) for laboratory analysis. All but one bird appeared to be in good condition, with no abnormality noted during physical examination. Hematology, plasma chemistries, and plasma vitamin and mineral levels were studied and correlated with the results of bacterial and viral serology. Positive antibody titers for Salmonella and psittacine herpesvirus were found. These diseases have the potential to affect wildlife population dynamics, and Salmonella may have public health significance. Serological tests for avian influenza, infectious laryngotracheitis, paramyxovirus-1, -2, -3, polyoma virus, chlamydiosis, and aspergillosis were negative. Differences in disease prevalence were found between rearing situations.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Tiletamine-zolazepam anesthesia in North American river otters (Lutra canadensis) and its partial antagonism with flumazenil.

North American river otters (Lutra canadensis) were anesthetized with tiletamine-zolazepam or tiletamine-zolazepam-flumazenil combinations in cooperation with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Otter Restoration Project for evaluation of physiologic changes during anesthesia. Sixteen otters received tiletamine-zolazepam (4 mg/kg combined, i.m.) in 1994. Induction and recovery times were recorded and physiologic data (heart rate and rhythm, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, relative oxyhemoglobin saturation, and mean arterial blood pressure) were collected at 5-min intervals. Respiratory depression developed initially in all otters, and median relative oxyhemoglobin saturation remained below 90% for the first 15 min of anesthesia. Anesthetic induction with tiletamine-zolazepam was rapid and smooth, but recovery was prolonged (median = 89 min) and characterized by persistent head motion. In 1995, flumazenil was evaluated as a partial antagonist for tiletamine-zolazepam anesthesia in otters. Sixteen otters were anesthetized with tiletamine-zolazepam (4 mg/kg combined, i.m.) and given flumazenil (1 mg per 25 mg of zolazepam) after 20 min. Flumazenil markedly shortened recovery time in all otters anesthetized with tiletamine-zolazepam (median = 65 min) with no adverse effects.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1996

Genomic differentiation among natural populations of orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus).

BACKGROUND: Orang-utans exist today in small isolated populations on the islands of Borneo (subspecies Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) and Sumatra (subspecies P. p. abelii). Although, on the basis of their morphological, behavioral and cytogenetical characteristics, the Bornean and Sumatran orang-utan populations are generally considered as two separate subspecies, there is no universal agreement as to whether their genetic differentiation is sufficient to consider and manage them as species, subspecies or population level taxonomic units. A more precise phylogenetic description would affect many conservation management decisions about captive and free-ranging orang-utans. RESULTS: We analyzed the amount and patterns of molecular genetic variation in orang-utan populations using cellular DNA from orang-utans from two locations in Sumatra and nine locations-representing four isolated populations-in Borneo. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms, nuclear minisatellite (or variable number tandem repeat) loci and mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA sequences led to three major findings. First, the genetic distance and phylogenetic differentiation between Sumatran and Bornean orang-utans is large, greater than that between the common chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes, and the pygmy chimpanzee or bonobo, Pan paniscus. The genetic distance suggests that the two island subspecies diverged approximately 1.5-1.7 million years ago, well before the two islands separated and long enough for species-level differentiation. Second, there is considerable endemic genetic diversity within the Bornean and Sumatran orang-utan populations, suggesting that they have not experienced recent bottlenecks or founder effects. And third, there is little genetic differentiation among four geographically isolated populations of Bornean orang-utans, consistent with gene flow having occurred between them until recently. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with the view that the genetic differentiation between Sumatran and Bornean orang-utans has reached the level of distinct species. Furthermore, our findings indicate that there is not a genetic imperative for the separate management of geographically isolated Bornean populations.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Hematology and serum chemistry values of juvenile and adult ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata).

Hematologic and serum chemistry values are presented for adult and juvenile red ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata rubra) and black and white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata variegata) maintained in a zoological collection. Hematologic and serum chemical values are compared between age groups and subspecies and with other primate species. Elevated hematocrit, total protein, and serum albumin values were noted. Significant differences in cholesterol, total protein, and serum albumin values between the two age groups are discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Wild primate populations in emerging infectious disease research: the missing link?

Wild primate populations, an unexplored source of information regarding emerging infectious disease, may hold valuable clues to the origins and evolution of some important pathogens. Primates can act as reservoirs for human pathogens. As members of biologically diverse habitats, they serve as sentinels for surveillance of emerging pathogens and provide models for basic research on natural transmission dynamics. Since emerging infectious diseases also pose serious threats to endangered and threatened primate species, studies of these diseases in primate populations can benefit conservation efforts and may provide the missing link between laboratory studies and the well-recognized needs of early disease detection, identification, and surveillance.

Animals↗