| 1. |
- Elfving, Karin, et al.
(författare)
-
Serologic and Molecular Prevalence of Rickettsia helvetica and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Wild Cervids and Domestic Mammals in the Central Parts of Sweden
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1530-3667 .- 1557-7759. ; 15:9, s. 529-534
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Both Rickettsia helvetica and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are common in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Sweden. Knowledge is limited regarding different animal species' competence to act as reservoirs for these organism. For this reason, blood samples were collected from wild cervids (roe deer, moose) and domestic mammals (horse, cat, dog) in central Sweden, and sera were tested using immunofluorescence assay to detect antibodies against spotted fever rickettsiae using Rickettsia helvetica as antigen. Sera with a titer >= 1:64 were considered as positive, and 23.1% (104/450) of the animals scored positive. The prevalence of seropositivity was 21.5% (23/107) in roe deer, 23.3% (21/90) in moose, 36.5% (23/63) in horses, 22.1% (19/90) in cats, and 17.0% (17/100) in dogs. PCR analysis of 113 spleen samples from moose and sheep from the corresponding areas were all negative for rickettsial DNA. In roe deer, 85% (91/107) also tested seropositive for A. phagocytophilum with a titer cutoff of 1:128. The findings indicate that the surveyed animal species are commonly exposed to rickettsiae and roe deer also to A. phagocytophilum.
|
|
| 2. |
- Lin, Jay, et al.
(författare)
-
High prevalence of hepatitis E virus in Swedish moose : A phylogenetic characterization and comparison of the virus from different regions
- 2015
-
Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 10:4
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infects a range of species, including humans, pigs, wild boars and deer. Zoonotic transmission may contribute to the high HEV seroprevalence in the human population of many countries. A novel divergent HEV from moose (Alces alces) in Sweden was recently identified by partial genome sequencing. Since only one strain was found, its classification within the HEV family, prevalence in moose and zoonotic potential was unclear. We therefore investigated samples from 231 moose in seven Swedish counties for HEV, and sequenced a near complete moose HEV genome. Phylogenetic analysis to classify this virus within the family Hepeviridae and to explore potential host specific determinants was performed. Methods and Findings: The HEV prevalence of moose was determined by PCR (marker for active infection) and serological assays (marker of past infection) of sera and 51 fecal samples from 231 Swedish moose. Markers of active and past infection were found in 67 (29%) animals, while 34 (15%) were positive for HEV RNA, 43 (19%) were seropositive for anti-HEV antibodies, and 10 (4%) had both markers. The number of young individuals positive for HEV RNA was larger than for older individuals, and the number of anti-HEV antibody positive individuals increased with age. The high throughput sequenced moose HEV genome was 35-60% identical to existing HEVs. Partial ORF1 sequences from 13 moose strains showed high similarity among them, forming a distinct monophyletic clade with a common ancestor to HEV genotype 1-6 group, which includes members known for zoonotic transmission. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a high frequency of HEV in moose in Sweden, with markers of current and past infection demonstrated in 30% of the animals. Moose is thus an important animal reservoir of HEV. The phylogenetic relationship demonstrated that the moose HEV belonged to the genotype 1-6 group, which includes strains that also infect humans, and therefore may signify a potential for zoonotic transmission of this HEV. © 2015 Lin et al.
|
|
| 3. |
- Malmsten, Anna, et al.
(författare)
-
Serological testing of Schmallenberg virus in Swedish wild cervids from 2012 to 2016
- 2017
-
Ingår i: BMC Veterinary Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1746-6148. ; 13
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Schmallenberg virus (SBV) first emerged in Europe in 2011, and in Sweden in late 2012. The virus was still circulating in parts of Europe in 2015. In recent testing, the virus has not been detected in Swedish domestic animals, indicating that it is no longer circulating in Sweden. It is not known if the virus has circulated and is still circulating in Swedish wild cervid populations and whether wildlife can act as virus reservoirs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SBV has circulated, and is still circulating among wild cervids in Sweden.Results: Ninety-two sera from moose (Alces alces, n = 22), red deer (Cervus elaphus, n = 15), fallow deer (Dama dama, n = 44), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus, n = 11) were collected and analyzed for antibodies against SBV. The sampling occurred in the southern and middle part of Sweden during three time periods: 1) before the vector season in 2012, 2) after the vector season in 2012, and 3) after the vector season in 2015. Animals from periods 1 and 2 were of varying ages, whereas animals collected in period 3 were born after the vector season 2013. Animals from period 1 (n = 15) and 3 (n = 47) were seronegative, but, 53% (16 of 30) of animals from period 2 were seropositive, determined by SBV competitive ELISA. Samples from period 2 were additionally analyzed for SBV-neutralizing antibodies. Such antibodies were detected in 16/16 SBV-N-antibody-positive, 3/12 negative and 2/2 doubtful sera. The two tests were in accordance at SBV-neutralizing antibody titers of 1:32 or higher.Conclusion: Our results show that SBV circulated among wild cervids during the vector season of 2012. Three years later, no SBV-antibodies were detected in animals born after the vector season 2013. The likely absence of SBV circulation in Sweden, in contrast to other parts of Europe, might be explained by the annual occurrence of a vector-free season due to climate conditions. Interpretations are limited by the small sample-size, but the results suggest that the SBV competitive ELISA has high specificity but might have slightly lower sensitivity compared to a seroneutralization assay, when using samples from wild cervids.
|
|
| 4. |
- Eriksson, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
-
Prevalence and genetic parameters for cryptorchidism in Swedish-born Icelandic horses
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 180, s. 1-5
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cryptorchidism is a defect in males where one or both testes fail to descend normally into the scrotum. If both testes are retained, the stallion will be infertile. There are few studies of the prevalence of the condition in horses based on field data, and heritability estimates for equine cryptorchidism are lacking. The objective of this study was to provide data on prevalence and heritability of cryptorchidism in Icelandic horses born in Sweden. A questionnaire was sent to breeders, asking whether or not stallions born at the farm had both testes present in the scrotum at the age of 1,6 and 12 months. Fixed effects were analysed using logistic regression and genetic parameters were estimated using linear animal models. Information about 595 yearling stallions born 1997-2011 was used in the analyses. Close to 9% of the yearlings did not have both testes in the scrotum. Probability of cryptorchidism in yearlings was significantly influenced by farm and time period of birth. Heritability estimates for cryptorchidism ranged from 0.12 to 0.32 (SE 0.08-0.12) on the observable scale, and from 0.35 to 0.96 (SE 0.24-0.40) when transformed to the underlying continuous scale. The results support that equine cryptorchidism is heritable. Further studies with more individuals included would be needed to confirm this. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
- Malmsten, Anna, et al.
(författare)
-
Caries, Periodontal Disease, Supernumerary Teeth and Other Dental Disorders in Swedish Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Journal of Comparative Pathology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0021-9975 .- 1532-3129. ; 153, s. 50-57
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Between January and December 2013, the dental and periodontal health of 99 Swedish wild boars (Sus scrofa) was investigated. Sampling occurred in conjunction with routine hunting at six large estates in the southern and middle parts of Sweden. All six of the estates use supplemental feeding. The weight of the animals, their sex and their dates of death were noted. Age was estimated using tooth eruption and tooth replacement patterns. The oral cavity was inspected and abnormalities were recorded on a dental chart modified for wild boars. The findings included supernumerary teeth, absence of teeth, mild class II malocclusion, severe tooth wear, periodontitis, calculus, caries, tooth fractures and the presence of enamel defects. Swedish wild boars suffer from different dental lesions and the impact of supplemental feeding on dental and periodontal health is still to be investigated. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 8. |
- Malmsten, Anna, et al.
(författare)
-
Så förökar sig vildsvin
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Svensk jakt. - 0039-6583. ; 2016, s. 42-44
-
Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- I januari 2013 startade ett projekt för att undersöka de svenska vildsvinens reproduktion. Det drivs av forskare vid Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, och finansieras av Svenska Jägareförbundet och Naturvårdsverket.
|
|
| 9. |
- Malmsten, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
-
Characteristics of spermatozoa and reproductive organs in relation to age and body weight in Swedish moose (Alces alces)
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Animal Reproduction Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-4320 .- 1873-2232. ; 153, s. 76-86
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Knowledge of the reproductive biology of game species is vital for sustainable management. In moose (Alces alces), research in reproductive characteristics has focused on the female, whereas there are few studies in male moose. The aim of the present study was to investigate sperm morphology and chromatin integrity (SCSA), and their relationships with testicular and epididymal features, as well as temporal aspects with respect to the hunting season. In total, 143 male moose aged 1.5-11.5 years were sampled from 2008 to 2011. The proportion of normal spermatozoa (PNS) ranged from 1.5% to 82.0%, with a mean of 51%, and the %DFI (DNA fragmentation index) ranged from 2.5% to 36.7% (mean 9.5). PNS decreased temporally, and was positively associated with carcass and testes weight. Body weight and testes weight had positive effect on PNS regardless of age. No effect of any explanatory variables was observed on the DEI. The testis/body weight ratio of moose (0.033%) is among the lowest reported among mammals, indicating a less polygynous mating system than in roe deer and red deer. For reproduction success in moose, a high body weight in males is favorable, as is a balanced sex ratio. Thus, males should not be harvested prior to the time when the majority of females have passed their first oestrus of the season. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.
|
|
| 10. |
- Malmsten, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
-
Temporal and spatial variation in Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in Swedish moose (Alces alces)
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Epidemiology and Infection. - 0950-2688 .- 1469-4409. ; 142, s. 1205-1213
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The occurrence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum was investigated in spleen and serum samples from Swedish moose (Alces alces) in southern Sweden (island and mainland). Samples were analysed for presence of A. phagocytophilum DNA by real-time PCR (n=263), and for Anaplasma antibodies with ELISA serology (n=234). All serum samples had antibodies against A. phagocytophilum. The mean DNA-based prevalence was 26 center dot 3%, and significant (P<0 center dot 01) temporal, and spatial variation was found. Island moose had significantly (P<0 center dot 001) higher prevalence of A. phagocytophilum DNA than moose from the mainland areas. Two samples were sequenced to determine genetic variation in the 16S rRNA and groESL genes. Genetic sequence similarity with the human granulocytic anaplasmosis agent, equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent, and different wildlife-associated A. phagocytophilum variants were observed in the 16S rRNA and groESL genes. Our study shows that moose are exposed to A. phagocytophilum in Sweden, and represent a potential wildlife reservoir of the pathogen.
|
|
