Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 133 in total

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  1. Fulltext Isolation and molecular identification of Bartonellae from wild rats (Rattus species) in Malaysia
    Tay ST, Mokhtar AS, Zain SN, Low KC
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2014 Jun;90(6):1039-42.
    PMID: 24732465 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0273
    This study describes our investigation on the prevalence and molecular identification of bartonellae from Rattus diardii and R. norvegicus in the urban areas of Malaysia. Of 95 rats investigated, Bartonella tribocorum, B. rattimassiliensis, B. coopersplainsensis, B. elizabethae, and B. queenslandensis were isolated from kidney and spleen homogenates of four rats. Bartonellae DNA was amplified from the rat organ tissues by using primers specific for the bartonellae RNA polymerase beta subunit (rpoB) gene in nine other rats. Sequence analysis of the rpoB gene fragments shows the identification of B. queenslandensis in five rats, B. elizabethae in three rats, and B. tribocorum in one rat. Combining the results of isolation and molecular detection of bartonellae, we found that the prevalence of Bartonella infection in the Rattus spp. investigated in this study was 13.7%. Implementation of effective rat control program in the urban areas is necessary to prevent the spillover of bartonellosis from rats to humans.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  2. Ketamine and xylazine combinations for short-term immobilization of wild variable flying foxes (Pteropus hypomelanus)
    Sohayati AR, Zaini CM, Hassan L, Epstein J, Siti Suri A, Daszak P, et al.
    J. Zoo Wildl. Med., 2008 Dec;39(4):674-6.
    PMID: 19110718
    Collection of biological samples from pteropid bats requires chemical restraint of the bats to minimize risks to humans and stress to the bat. The effectiveness of an intravenous combination of ketamine and xylazine for short-term restraint of wild-caught variable flying foxes (Pteropus hypomelanus) in a field situation was evaluated. Eight adult male variable flying foxes were injected intravenously with 0.1 ml of ketamine and xylaxine containing 5 mg of ketamine and 1 mg of xylazine. The mean induction time was 80 +/- 20 sec, and mean immobilization time was 26 +/- 10 min. The ketamine-xylazine combination used in this study produced effective short-term immobilization of wild variable flying foxes for the collection of biological samples.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  3. Reversible anesthesia of Southeast Asian primates with medetomidine, zolazepam, and tiletamine
    Fahlman A, Bosi EJ, Nyman G
    J. Zoo Wildl. Med., 2006 Dec;37(4):558-61.
    PMID: 17315446
    Medetomidine (0.02-0.06 mg/kg) in combination with zolazepam-tiletamine (0.8-2.3 mg/kg) were evaluated for reversible anesthesia in four species of Southeast Asian primates: Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus), Bornean gibbon (Hylobates muelleri), long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), and pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina). Twenty-three anesthetic procedures of captive-held and free-ranging primates were studied in Sabah, Malaysia. The induction was smooth and rapid. Respiratory and heart rates were stable throughout anesthesia, whereas body temperature and systolic arterial blood pressure decreased significantly. Atipamezole at five times the medetomidine dose effectively reversed anesthesia, with first signs of recovery within 3-27 min.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  4. [Avian influenza: eradication from commercial poultry is still not in sight]
    Landman WJ, Schrier CC
    Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 2004 Dec 1;129(23):782-96.
    PMID: 15624878
    Avian influenza viruses are highly infectious micro-organisms that primarily affect birds. Nevertheless, they have also been isolated from a number of mammals, including humans. Avian influenza virus can cause large economic losses to the poultry industry because of its high mortality. Although there are pathogenic variants with a low virulence and which generally cause only mild, if any, clinical symptoms, the subtypes H5 and H7 can mutate from a low to a highly virulent (pathogenic) virus and should be taken into consideration in eradication strategies. The primary source of infection for commercial poultry is direct and indirect contact with wild birds, with waterfowl forming a natural reservoir of the virus. Live-poultry markets, exotic birds, and ostriches also play a significant role in the epidemiology of avian influenza. The secondary transmission (i.e., between poultry farms) of avian influenza virus is attributed primarily to fomites and people. Airborne transmission is also important, and the virus can be spread by aerosol in humans. Diagnostic tests detect viral proteins and genes. Virus-specific antibodies can be traced by serological tests, with virus isolation and identification being complementary procedures. The number of outbreaks of avian influenza seems to be increasing - over the last 5 years outbreaks have been reported in Italy, Hong Kong, Chile, the Netherlands, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, China, Pakistan, United States of America, Canada, South Africa, and Malaysia. Moreover, a growing number of human cases of avian influenza, in some cases fatal, have paralleled the outbreaks in commercial poultry. There is great concern about the possibility that a new virus subtype with pandemic potential could emerge from these outbreaks. From the perspective of human health, it is essential to eradicate the virus from poultry; however, the large number of small-holdings with poultry, the lack of control experience and resources, and the international scale of transmission and infection make rapid control and long-term prevention of recurrence extremely difficult. In the Western world, the renewed interest in free-range housing carries a threat for future outbreaks. The growing ethical objections to the largescale culling of birds require a different approach to the eradication of avian influenza.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  5. Health evaluation of free-ranging and semi-captive orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) in Sabah, Malaysia
    Kilbourn AM, Karesh WB, Wolfe ND, Bosi EJ, Cook RA, Andau M
    J. Wildl. Dis., 2003 Jan;39(1):73-83.
    PMID: 12685070
    Baseline data on health of free-ranging wildlife is essential to evaluate impacts of habitat transformation and wildlife translocation, rehabilitation, and reintroduction programs. Health information on many species, especially great apes, is extremely limited. Between 1996 and 1998, 84 free-ranging orangutans captured for translocation, underwent a complete health evaluation. Analogous data were gathered from 60 semi-captive orangutans in Malaysia. Baseline hematology and serology; vitamin, mineral and pesticide levels; and results of health evaluations, including physical examination, provide a baseline for future monitoring. Free-ranging and semi-captive orangutans shared exposure to 11 of 47 viruses. The semi-captive orangutans had significantly higher prevalence of antibodies to adenovirus (P < 0.0005) and rota (SA 11) virus (P < 0.008). More free-ranging than semi-captive animals had antibodies to Japanese encephalitis virus (P < 0.08) and foamy virus (P = 0.05). Exposure to parainfluenza and langat viruses was detected exclusively in semi-captive animals and exposure to sinbis virus was only found in free-ranging orangutans. There was evidence of exposure to respiratory syncytial virus, coxsackie virus, dengue virus, and zika virus in both groups. Ebstein-Barr virus was ubiquitous in both groups. Prevalence of antibodies against mumps virus changed from 0% in 1996 to 45% in 1998. No antibodies were detected to many important zoonotic viral pathogens, including herpesvirus and hepatitis virus. Prevalence of Balantidium coli and Plasmodium pitheci infections and exposure to mycobacterium was higher in the semi-captive animals. Differences in exposure to pathogens between the groups may be due to environmental factors including differences in exposures to other species, habitat quality, nutritional status, and other potential stressors. Differences in health parameters between captive and free-ranging orangutans need to be considered when planning conservation areas, translocation procedures, and rehabilitation protocols. Because survival of the orangutan is linked to animal and ecosystem health, results of this study will assist wildlife conservation programs by providing baseline health information.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  6. Characterization of Cryptocaryon irritans, a parasite isolated from marine fishes in Taiwan
    Yambot AV, Song YL, Sung HH
    Dis Aquat Organ, 2003 Mar 31;54(2):147-56.
    PMID: 12747640
    The ciliated protozoan parasite Cryptocaryon irritans infecting marine fishes in Taiwan is described. Developmental characteristics and sequences of the ribosomal DNA regions such as part of 18 S, the entire first internal transcribed spacer, and part of 5.8 S of various Taiwan isolates of C. irritans were investigated. A total of 5 isolates was obtained from different fish-host species and localities, the majority from cultured fish species. C. irritans from Taiwan is able to shift its developmental characteristics, i.e. from non-adherent to adherent tomonts, from individualistic to aggregate-forming tomonts, from infection of the gills only to infection of the gills and body. Thus, it is not possible to classify strains of C. irritans on the basis of these parameters. Premature tomonts that developed from dead fishes were able to produce theronts that could infect fish host. Isolates from Pingtung and the USA had identical nucleotide sequences while an isolate from Malaysia was identical to an Israel isolate. Percentage variation among pairs of Taiwan isolates showed a higher degree of variation than isolate sequences listed in GenBank. Sequence analysis revealed highly aberrant isolates in Taiwan, and a phylogenetic tree distinguished a marine and a low-salinity variant. C. irritans from marine fishes in Taiwan, therefore, display some characteristics not previously reported. Since manipulation of salinity in brackishwater ponds and marine cage sites is not feasible, there is a need to develop new strategies for the control and prevention of cryptocaryoniasis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  7. Tracing the origins of genotype VIIh Newcastle disease in southern Africa
    Abolnik C, Mubamba C, Wandrag DBR, Horner R, Gummow B, Dautu G, et al.
    Transbound Emerg Dis, 2018 Apr;65(2):e393-e403.
    PMID: 29178267 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12771
    It is widely accepted that Newcastle disease is endemic in most African countries, but little attention has been afforded to establishing the sources and frequency of the introductions of exotic strains. Newcastle disease outbreaks have a high cost in Africa, particularly on rural livelihoods. Genotype VIIh emerged in South-East Asia and has since caused serious outbreaks in poultry in Malaysia, Indonesia, southern China, Vietnam and Cambodia. Genotype VIIh reached the African continent in 2011, with the first outbreaks reported in Mozambique. Here, we used a combination of phylogenetic evidence, molecular dating and epidemiological reports to trace the origins and spread of subgenotype VIIh Newcastle disease in southern Africa. We determined that the infection spread northwards through Mozambique, and then into the poultry of the north-eastern provinces of Zimbabwe. From Mozambique, it also reached neighbouring Malawi and Zambia. In Zimbabwe, the disease spread southward towards South Africa and Botswana, causing outbreaks in backyard chickens in early-to-mid 2013. In August 2013, the disease entered South Africa's large commercial industry, and the entire country was infected within a year, likely through fomites and the movements of cull chickens. Illegal poultry trading or infected waste from ships and not wild migratory birds was the likely source of the introduction to Mozambique in 2011.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  8. Ehrlichia and Anaplasma Infections: Serological Evidence and Tick Surveillance in Peninsular Malaysia
    Koh FX, Kho KL, Kisomi MG, Wong LP, Bulgiba A, Tan PE, et al.
    J Med Entomol, 2018 02 28;55(2):269-276.
    PMID: 29202206 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx204
    Little information is available on human anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis in Southeast Asia despite increasing reports of the detection of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in the ticks. We report herein the serological findings against the tick-borne pathogens in a group of animal farm workers (n = 87) and indigenous people (n = 102) in Peninsular Malaysia. IgG antibodies against Ehrlichia chaffeensis were detected from 29.9% and 34.3% of farm workers and indigenous people, respectively, using commercial indirect immunofluorescence assays. Comparatively, only 6.9% of the indigenous people but none of the animal farm workers were seropositive to Anaplasma phagocytophilum. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasmataceae was used to identify Anaplastamataceae in ticks collected from various locations adjacent to the areas where the serological survey was conducted. In this study, a total of 61.5% of ticks infesting farm animals, 37.5% of ticks infesting peri-domestic animals in rural villages, 27.3% of ticks collected from wildlife animals, and 29.1% of questing ticks collected from forest vegetation were positive for Anaplasmataceae DNA. Sequence analyses of 16S rRNA gene region (238 bp) provide the identification for Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma bovis, Anaplasma platys, A. phagocytophilum, and Anaplasma spp. closely related to Candidatus Cryptoplasma californiense in ticks. E. chaffeensis DNA was not detected from any ticks, instead, Ehrlichia sp. strain EBm52, Ehrlichia mineirensis and Candidatus Ehrlichia shimanensis are the only Ehrlichia sp. identified from cattle ticks in this study. Further investigation is required to ascertain the occurrence of zoonotic transmission of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infections in Peninsular Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  9. Testing Eurasian wild boar piglets for serum antibodies against Mycobacterium bovis
    Che' Amat A, González-Barrio D, Ortiz JA, Díez-Delgado I, Boadella M, Barasona JA, et al.
    Prev Vet Med, 2015 Sep 1;121(1-2):93-8.
    PMID: 26051843 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.05.011
    Animal tuberculosis (TB) caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis and closely related members of the M. tuberculosis complex (MTC), is often reported in the Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa). Tests detecting antibodies against MTC antigens are valuable tools for TB monitoring and control in suids. However, only limited knowledge exists on serology test performance in 2-6 month-old piglets. In this age-class, recent infections might cause lower antibody levels and lower test sensitivity. We examined 126 wild boar piglets from a TB-endemic site using 6 antibody detection tests in order to assess test performance. Bacterial culture (n=53) yielded a M. bovis infection prevalence of 33.9%, while serum antibody prevalence estimated by different tests ranged from 19% to 38%, reaching sensitivities between 15.4% and 46.2% for plate ELISAs and between 61.5% and 69.2% for rapid immunochromatographic tests based on dual path platform (DPP) technology. The Cohen kappa coefficient of agreement between DPP WTB (Wildlife TB) assay and culture results was moderate (0.45) and all other serological tests used had poor to fair agreements. This survey revealed the ability of several tests for detecting serum antibodies against the MTC antigens in 2-6 month-old naturally infected wild boar piglets. The best performance was demonstrated for DPP tests. The results confirmed our initial hypothesis of a lower sensitivity of serology for detecting M. bovis-infected piglets, as compared to older wild boar. Certain tests, notably the rapid animal-side tests, can contribute to TB control strategies by enabling the setup of test and cull schemes or improving pre-movement testing. However, sub-optimal test performance in piglets as compared to that in older wild boar should be taken into account.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  10. Serum antigen 85 levels in adjunct testing for active mycobacterial infections in orangutans
    Kilbourn AM, Godfrey HP, Cook RA, Calle PP, Bosi EJ, Bentley-Hibbert SI, et al.
    J. Wildl. Dis., 2001 Jan;37(1):65-71.
    PMID: 11272506
    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.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  11. Developmental changes in the endocrine stress response in orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus)
    Takeshita RSC, Mendonça RS, Bercovitch FB, Huffman MA
    J. Comp. Physiol. B, Biochem. Syst. Environ. Physiol., 2019 12;189(6):659-672.
    PMID: 31549180 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-019-01235-7
    Non-invasive measures of stress are crucial for captive and conservation management programs. The adrenal hormone dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) has recently been adopted as a stress marker, but there is little investigation of its relationship to glucocorticoids (GC), well-known indicators of stress. This study examined the influence of age, reproductive state and environment on GC and DHEAS levels in orangutans, to test whether the GC/DHEAS ratio can provide an index of stress response in primates. We measured fecal GC (fGC) and fecal DHEAS (fDHEAS) concentrations in 7 captive orangutans from zoological parks in Japan and 22 wild orangutans from Danum Valley Conservation Area, Malaysia. We found that in a stressful condition (transportation), fDHEAS levels increased 2 days after the fGC response, which occurred 1 day after the stressor. One pregnant female had elevated levels of both hormones, and a higher fGC/fDHEAS ratio than baseline. Females in the first year of lactation had fGC levels and the fGC/fDHEAS ratio significantly higher than both baseline and females in the second and subsequent years of lactation. There was no effect of age on fGC levels, but the fGC/fDHEAS ratio was higher in infants than adults and adolescents. fDHEAS concentrations were lower in infants than juveniles, adolescents and adults, a phenomenon known as adrenarche, shared with humans and other great apes. We suggest that changes in DHEAS during orangutan life history are associated with changes in the dynamics of maintaining homeostasis that vary with age and reproductive state. The GC/DHEAS ratio index is useful to evaluate age-related abilities of responding to stressful challenges.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  12. Fulltext A standardized dataset for conservation prioritization of songbirds to support CITES
    Juergens J, Bruslund S, Staerk J, Oegelund Nielsen R, Shepherd CR, Leupen B, et al.
    Data Brief, 2021 Jun;36:107093.
    PMID: 34041313 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2021.107093
    In this article we present a standardized dataset on 6659 songbirds (Passeriformes) highlighting information relevant to species conservation prioritization with a main focus to support the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Data were collected from both scientific and grey literature as well as several online databases. The data are structured into six knowledge categories: Conventions and Treaties, Human Use, Extinction Risk, Management Opportunities, Biological Information, and Intrinsic Values. The Conventions and Treaties category includes the listings for two international conventions, CITES and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), as well as EU listings for the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations and the EU Birds Directive. The Human Use category contains information on both regulated trade collected from the CITES Trade Database and the United States' Law Enforcement Management Information System (LEMIS), and highly aggregated data on seizures which we obtained from TRAFFIC, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and two data sources on traditional medicine. We also present, for the first time, the complete Songbirds in Trade Database (SiTDB), a trade database curated by taxon expert S. Bruslund based on expert knowledge, literature review, market surveys and sale announcements. Data on the types of human use, including traditional medicine are also provided. The knowledge area on Extinction Risk contains data on the species' IUCN Red List status, the Alliance for Zero Extinction Trigger Species status, site and population at the site, the species' IUCN Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment, and the listing of priority species at the Asian Songbird Crisis Summit. In the Management Opportunities category, we gathered data on ex-situ management from Species360 zoo holdings as well as species management plans from the European and North American Zoo Associations (EAZA and AZA, respectively). Biological Information includes data on body mass, clutch size, diet, availability of data from the IUCN Red List on habitat systems, extent of occurrence, generation length, migration pattern, distribution, and biological data from the Demographic Species Knowledge Index, number of occurrences recorded by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) as well as genomic data from the Bird 10 000K Genomes (B10K) project, Vertebrate Genome Project (VGP) and GenBank. Information on invasive species is also part of this knowledge area. The Intrinsic Value category refers to two measures of the species' intrinsic value, namely Ecological and Evolutionary Distinctiveness. In order to make these knowledge areas comparable, we standardized data following the taxonomy of the Handbook of the Birds of the World and Birdlife (Version 4, 2019). The data enable a broad spectrum of analyses and will be useful to scientists for further research and to policymakers, zoos and other conservation stakeholders for future prioritization decisions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  13. Fulltext Capsular serotyping of Pasteurella multocida from various animal hosts - a comparison of phenotypic and genotypic methods
    Arumugam ND, Ajam N, Blackall PJ, Asiah NM, Ramlan M, Maria J, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Apr;28(1):55-63.
    PMID: 21602769
    One hundred and fourteen strains of Pasteurella multocida were isolated from different domestic animals species (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig, rabbit, dog, cat), avian species (chicken, duck, turkey) and wild animals (deer, tiger, orang utan, marmoset). The serogroups of P. multocida were determined by both conventional capsular serotyping and a multiplex PCR assay targeting specific capsular genes. Based on the conventional serotyping method, the 114 strains of P. multocida were subtyped into 55 species-specific (untypeable strains) P. multocida, 15 serogroup A, 23 serogroup B and 21 serogroup D. Based on the multiplex PCR assay on the specific capsular genes associated with each serogroup, the 114 strains were further divided to 22 species-specific P. multocida (KMT1 - 460 bp), 53 serogroup A (A - 1,044 bp), 33 serogroup B (B - 760 bp) and 6 serogroup D (D - 657 bp). No serogroup E (511 bp) or F (851 bp) was detected among the Malaysian P. multocida. PCR-based typing was more discriminative and could further subtype the previously untypeable strains. Overall, there was a significant and positive correlation between both methods in serogrouping P. multocida (r = 0.7935; p<0.4893). Various serogroups of P. multocida were present among the livestock with 75% of the strains belonging to serogroups A or B. PCR serotyping was therefore a highly species-specific, sensitive and robust method for detection and differentiation of P. multocida serogroups compared to conventional serotyping. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report from Malaysia of the application of a PCR to rapidly define the species-specific P. multocida and its serogroups as an important zoonotic pathogen in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  14. Protozoan and helminth parasites of small wild mammals in a new Felda settlement Jenderak Utara, Central Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia
    Fong YL, Liat LB, de Witt GF, Krishnasamy M, Sivanandam S, Foong PY
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1977 Sep;8(3):345-53.
    PMID: 415370
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  15. Proteomics, functional characterization and antivenom neutralization of the venom of Pakistani Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) from the wild
    Faisal T, Tan KY, Sim SM, Quraishi N, Tan NH, Tan CH
    J Proteomics, 2018 07 15;183:1-13.
    PMID: 29729992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.05.003
    The venom proteome of wild Pakistani Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) was investigated through nano-ESI-LCMS/MS of the reverse-phase HPLC fractions. A total of 54 venom proteins were identified and clustered into 11 protein families. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2, 63.8%) and Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor (KSPI, 16.0%) were most abundant, followed by snake venom serine protease (SVSP, 5.5%, mainly Factor V activating enzyme), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, 4.3%), snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP, 2.5%, mainly Factor X activating enzyme) and phosphodiesterase (PDE, 2.5%). Other minor proteins include cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRiSP), snake venom C-type lectin/lectin-like protein (snaclec), nerve growth factor, L-amino acid oxidase and 5'-nucleotidase. PLA2, KSPI, SVSP, snaclec and SVMP are hemotoxic proteins in the venom. The study indicated substantial venom variation in D. russelii venoms of different locales, including 3 Pakistani specimens kept in the USA. The venom exhibited potent procoagulant activity on human plasma (minimum clotting dose = 14.5 ng/ml) and high lethality (rodent LD50 = 0.19 μg/g) but lacked hemorrhagic effect locally. The Indian VINS Polyvalent Antivenom bound the venom immunologically in a concentration-dependent manner. It moderately neutralized the venom procoagulant and lethal effects (normalized potency against lethality = 2.7 mg venom neutralized per g antivenom).

    BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Comprehensive venom proteomes of D. russelii from different locales will facilitate better understanding of the geographical variability of the venom in both qualitative and quantitative terms. This is essential to provide scientific basis for the interpretation of differences in the clinical presentation of Russell's viper envenomation. The study revealed a unique venom proteome of the Pakistani D. russelii from the wild (Indus Delta), in which PLA2 predominated (~60% of total venom proteins). The finding unveiled remarkable differences in the venom compositions between the wild (present study) and the captive specimens reported previously. The integration of toxicity tests enabled the correlation of the venom proteome with the envenoming pathophysiology, where the venom showed potent lethality mediated through coagulopathic activity. The Indian VINS Polyvalent Antivenom (VPAV) showed binding activity toward the venom protein antigens; however the immunorecognition of small proteins and PLA2-dominating fractions was low to moderate. Consistently, the antivenom neutralized the toxicity of the wild Pakistani Russell's viper venom at moderate efficacies. Our results suggest that it may be possible to enhance the Indian antivenom potency against the Pakistani viper venom by the inclusion of venoms from a wider geographical range including that from Pakistan into the immunogen formulation.

    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  16. Gastrointestinal parasites of zoonotic importance observed in the wild, urban, and captive populations of non-human primates in Malaysia
    Adrus M, Zainudin R, Ahamad M, Jayasilan MA, Abdullah MT
    J Med Primatol, 2019 02;48(1):22-31.
    PMID: 30370934 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12389
    BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to determine gastrointestinal (GI) parasites commonly found in Malaysia's non-human primates (NHP) living in three different types of populations (wild, urban, and captive) and the basis of major GI parasites of zoonotic importance.

    METHODS: A total of 308 samples was collected and microscopically screened from the NHP in the wild (n = 163), urban (n = 76), and captive (n = 69) populations. The samples were taken from 12 species of local NHPs.

    RESULTS: At least, 44 species of GI parasites comprising of protozoans (seven species), nematodes (26 species), cestodes (five species), trematodes (five species), and pentastomida (one species) were detected. There were no significant differences for the overall prevalence and no great differences in GI parasite species among the wild, urban, and captive NHP populations.

    CONCLUSION: The most common GI parasite was Ascaris spp. (49.7%), followed by Oesophagostomum spp. (26.9%), and 31 species discovered in this study are of known public health importance.

    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  17. Distribution of mouse mammary tumor virus in Asian wild mice
    Imai S, Okumoto M, Iwai M, Haga S, Mori N, Miyashita N, et al.
    J Virol, 1994 May;68(5):3437-42.
    PMID: 8151805
    Several groups of wild mice (Mus musculus) were captured from eight different locations in Asia and bred for several generations in a facility free of any laboratory strains of mice carrying mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV). The distribution of endogenous MMTV proviral sequences in the liver tissues of these mice was investigated by using Southern blot hybridizations. Four categories of mice were identified. Mice originating from Bogor, Indonesia (Cas-Bgr); He-mei, Taiwan (Cas-Hmi/1); and Malaysia (Cas-Mal) were found to carry an endogenous MMTV provirus consisting of the env, gag-pol, and long terminal repeat sequences. Mice captured from Kojuri, Republic of Korea (Sub-Kjr); Nagoya, Japan (Mol-nag); and three Chinese provinces, Shanghai (Sub-Shh), Beijing (Sub-Bjn), and Jiayuguang (Sub-Jyg/1), appeared to carry defective proviruses. Some mice originating from He-mei (Cas-Hmi/2) and Jiayuguang (Sub-Jyg/2) were found to be completely free of endogenous MMTV. Interestingly, however, the Sub-Jyg/2 mice, after several generations of inbreeding, were found, unlike all of the other subspecies that we examined in the present study, to develop mammary tumors at a high incidence (80 to 90%) with a short period of latency. Electron microscopic examination of the mammary glands and mammary tumors of these mice revealed the presence of numerous intracytoplasmic A, immature, budding, and mature B particles. Furthermore, the mammary tumors were found to contain MMTV proviral sequences. It seems, therefore, that Sub-Jyg/2 mice carry an exogenous MMTV which contributes to their developing mammary tumors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild/microbiology*
  18. Survey of campylobacter, salmonella and mycoplasmas in house crows (Corvus splendens) in Malaysia
    Ganapathy K, Saleha AA, Jaganathan M, Tan CG, Chong CT, Tang SC, et al.
    Vet Rec, 2007 May 05;160(18):622-4.
    PMID: 17483380
    House crows (Corvus splendens) in Selangor, Malaysia were examined for the presence of Campylobacter species, Salmonella species, Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae by serology, culture and pcr. For the detection of Campylobacter and Salmonella species swabs were taken either from the intestine or cloaca. For the detection of mycoplasmas, swabs were taken either from the choanal cleft or trachea for culture and pcr and serum samples were tested by the rapid serum agglutination (rsa) and monoclonal antibody-blocking elisa (mbelisa) for antibodies to M gallisepticum and M synoviae. For campylobacter, 25.3 per cent of the crows were positive by culture, and the species identified were Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. No Salmonella species were isolated. Four of 24 swabs were positive for M gallisepticum dna but none gave positive results for M synoviae dna. No M gallisepticum or M synoviae antibodies were detected by rsa but 60 per cent of the sera gave positive reactions for M gallisepticum and 13 per cent gave positive reactions for M synoviae by mbelisa.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild/microbiology
  19. Taxonomy of Trichinella and the epidemiology of infection in the Southeast Asia and Australian regions
    Pozio E
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2001;32 Suppl 2:129-32.
    PMID: 12041576
    Seven species belonging to the Trichinella genus (five with encapsulated larvae and two with non-encapsulated larvae in host muscles) and three additional genotypes have been described to date: T. spiralis (genotype T1), a cosmopolitan species with a high infectivity to swine and rats; T. nativa (T2), etiological agent of sylvatic trichinellosis in arctic and subarctic areas of the Holarctic region, and its related genotype (Trichinella T6), detected in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, and Ontario; T. britovi (T3), etiological agent of sylvatic trichinellosis in temperate areas of Europe and Asia, and its related genotypes Trichinella T9 in Japan and Trichinella T8 in South Africa and Namibia; T. murrelli (T5), etiological agent of sylvatic trichinellosis in temperate areas of the USA; T. nelsoni (T7), etiological agent of sylvatic trichinellosis in Africa south of the Sahara; T. pseudospiralis (T4), a non-encapsulated cosmopolitan species infecting both mammals and birds; and T. papuae (T10), a recently discovered non-encapsulated species in sylvatic swine of Papua New Guinea. In the Southeast Asia and Australian regions, T. spiralis, T. pseudospiralis and T. papuae have been detected in sylvatic and domestic animals and in humans. A focus of human trichinellosis due to T. papuae was recently discovered in Papua New Guinea, with a prevalence of 28.9%. Trichinellosis has also been documented in domestic animals and/or humans in Cambodia, Indonesia (Bali and Sumatra), Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and New Zealand, and in wildlife of Tasmania.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
  20. Fulltext Review of toxoplasmosis in Malaysia
    Yahaya N
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1991 Dec;22 Suppl:102-6.
    PMID: 1822863
    Various studies on toxoplasmosis in Malaysia have shown that specific antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii are common among Malaysians. Among the ethnic groups, the Malays have the highest prevalence rate followed by Indians, Orang Aslis (aborigines) and Chinese. Antibody is acquired early in life and increases with age. There is no significant difference in the prevalence rate between males and females. The disease is apparently more prevalent among rural dwellers and those in the lower socioeconomic group. It appears that the prevalence rate is also influenced by environmental conditions, occupation, diet and cultural habits. Studies with animals have shown the presence of antibody to T. gondii, but this does not seem to be the source of infection since Malaysians normally cook their meat well.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Wild
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