TOP STORIES
Identifying Roadblocks to Recovery
Endangered Species Bulletin. 2008 Fall; 33(3): pg. 50-53
JC Franson
Photo credit: Nathan Ramsay/USGS
Knowledge of wildlife health related issues is critical to the restoration of many endangered species. Since the establishment of the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) in the mid-1970s, its pathologists have conducted more than 8,500 necropsy evaluations of endangered species carcasses to identify causes of mortality. Although birds comprise the major species group investigated at NWHC, a variety of taxa, including individuals of nearly 1,000 endangered mammals and over 900 amphibians and reptiles, also have been examined. The NWHC is a U.S. Geological Survey facility in Madison, Wisconsin. Data gathered from cause of death determinations are interpreted by NWHC scientists, providing a resource to address existing and emerging health issues of listed species, and forming a basis for recommendations in recovery plans and management actions.
Antibody fights AIDS-like disease in monkeys
Nature News - www.nature.com
10 Dec 2008
H Ledford
Photo credit: Geostock/Getty Images
Approach being considered for HIV prevention in humans.
An antibody treatment has rejuvenated the immune systems of macaques infected with a virus called SIV, allowing the monkeys to fend off the symptoms of an AIDS-like disease for months. SIV is studied as a model for HIV infection in humans, and the therapy could be tested in clinical trials of HIV-infected patients as soon as next year, pending approval by regulators. An antibody treatment has rejuvenated the immune systems of macaques infected with a virus called SIV, allowing the monkeys to fend off the symptoms of an AIDS-like disease for months. SIV is studied as a model for HIV infection in humans, and the therapy could be tested in clinical trials of HIV-infected patients as soon as next year, pending approval by regulators.
>>>Enhancing SIV-specific immunity in vivo by PD-1 blockade. Nature. 2008 Dec 10. [epub ahead of print].
>>>Coregulation of CD8+ T cell exhaustion by multiple inhibitory receptors during chronic viral infection. Nature Immunology. 2008 Nov 30. [epub ahead of print].
Disease, big cat threaten bighorn herd in Crystal Valley
Aspen Times - www.aspentimes.com
11 Dec 2008
S Condon
Area: Carbondale, Garfield County, Colorado, United States - Map It
A respiratory disease is killing bighorn sheep in the Crystal Valley and threatening the viability of the Avalanche Creek sheep herd, according to the Colorado Division of Wildlife. And a hungry mountain lion isn’t helping. The herd’s biggest problem is a highly contagious disease called pasturella, said John Groves, a wildlife manager for the Carbondale district who has been studying the herd in recent years. Pasturella tends to kill lambs within six to eight weeks of their of their early June birth dates. Research indicates that 90 to 95 percent of the lambs born annually have died off in the last two years, Groves said.
Sierra Nevada frog likes a cool climate
Village Green - www.sfgate.com
10 Dec 2008
Photo credit: Kathleen Matthews
Area: Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, United States
The Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, one of the moister creatures on the planet, is the poster amphiban for the dire effects of climate change in high mountains. Once the most abundant vertebrate in the Sierra, now they're on the brink of extinction. Snowmelt in the Sierra is expected to be reduced by half in the coming decades, drying up the shallow lakes needed by the tadpoles to survive. A 10-year study by U.S. Forest Service scientists found that the frog's range has decreased by more than 80 percent in the last 90 years -- primarliy because of introduced predator trout, a fungus and pesticide drift. The frogs, previously named mountain yellow-legged frogs, used to live as low as 6,000 feet. Scientists believe that pesticides coming from the Central Valley and the invasive trout stocked for anglers very likely wiped them out.
State officials brace for possible positive TB test
The Dickson Press - www.thedickinsonpress.com
11 Dec 2008
J Odermann
Area: North Dakota, United States
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is hoping it’s nothing, but preparing all the same. In light of a positive bovine tuberculosis test at a Long Prairie, Minn. meat processing plant, state officials are testing the southwestern North Dakota herd that the infected animal originated from, and the Game and Fish is standing by ready if wildlife tests need to be conducted. “We have been working closely with the North Dakota State Veterinarian on this issue and we are monitoring it very closely and if it turns out that TB is present in the currently quarantined herd we will need to do some intensive sampling of wild animals in the area,” Randy Kreil, chief of the Game and Fish’s wildlife division said.
OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
Photo credit: Norbert Rosing/National Geographic - animals.nationalgeographic.com
- Snowy owl -- a marine species?
- VIDEO: U.S. Coral Reef Doomed?
- Should the shores of Western Tasmania brace for another whale stranding? [Tsunami, Australia]
- Six protected gray wolves found dead during gun deer season [Shootings,Wisconsin] - Map It
- State officials brace for possible positive TB test [North Dakota]
- Herring Infection Shock for Iceland’s Fishing Industry
- Plum Island Off Government List For New Biolab [United States]
- Ebola in Pigs Shows Deadly Virus Can Infect Livestock [Philippines]
WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Veterinary aspects of ecological monitoring: the natural history of emerging infectious diseases of humans, domestic animals and wildlife
Tropical Animal Health and Production. 2008 Nov; [Epub ahead of print] [online abstract only]
MH Woodforf
Rapid molecular subtyping by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of the neuraminidase gene of avian influenza A viruses.
Vet Microbiol. 2008 Oct 8. [Epub ahead of print][onine abstract only]
SR Fereidouni et al.
The rapid molecular subtyping and pathotyping of avian influenza viruses.
J Virol Methods. 2008 Dec 5. [Epub ahead of print][online abstract only]
A Yacoub et al.
Multi-host pathogens and carnivore management in southern Africa.
Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2008 Nov 25. [Epub ahead of print][online abstract only]
KA Alexander et al.
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