Sarcoptic mange affects the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) throughout its range. Prevalence of the disease is generally low, with less than 5% of wombats in a population affected. However, epizootics occur sporadically. Sarcoptic mange is less prevalent in southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) but may be widespread. Sarcoptic mange has not been reported in the sole remaining population of northern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus krefftii) at Epping Forest, Queensland. Whilst mange epizootics are sporadic, they have the potential to threaten the survival of small, remnant populations of wombats.

Sarcoptic mange affects the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) throughout its range. Prevalence of the disease is generally low, with less than 5% of wombats in a population affected. However, epizootics occur sporadically. Sarcoptic mange is less prevalent in southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) but may be widespread. Sarcoptic mange has not been reported in the sole remaining population of northern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus krefftii) at Epping Forest, Queensland. Whilst mange epizootics are sporadic, they have the potential to threaten the survival of small, remnant populations of wombats.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Der zu den bedeutendsten Ektoparasiten des Schweines gehörende Erreger der Schweineräude, Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis, ist weltweit verbreitet und von wirtschaftlichen Interesse für Schweinezucht- und Mastbetriebe. Ziel dieser seroepidemiologischen Studie war die Gewinnung neuer Erkenntnisse über die Bestandsdynamik klinischer Räudeerscheinungen und dem Titerverlauf von IgG-Antikörpern gegen Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis im Serum von Sauen in Abhängigkeit vom Reproduktionszyklus (Trächtigkeit, Laktation, Besamung) und von Saugferkeln während der Säugeperiode sowie Aufzucht. Schlussfolgernd aufgrund der Ergebnisse dieser Studie eignen sich für die Kontrolle und Überwachung sowie Diagnostik der Sarcoptes-Räude von Beständen serologische Untersuchungen von Ferkeln bis zur zweiten Lebenswoche von räudeverdächtigen Sauen, „Jungsauen erster und zweiter Wurf“ sowie Sauen während der Trächtigkeit (vor allem letztes Drittel) und Deckeber. Eine Vorselektion auf räudeverdächtige Hautveränderungen sowie gesteigerte Kratzaktivitäten erhöht die Wahrscheinlichkeit serologisch positive Tiere zu identifizieren.

A demodicidose é uma importante dermatopatia parasitária em cães. É decorrente da proliferação excessiva de ácaros comensais do gênero Demodex sp no tegumento canino. A manifestação clínica da demodicidose juvenil generalizada têm sido associada à disfunção imune hereditária de linfócitos T específica ao parasita, enquanto que, a demodicidose do aduto pode ser consequente a doenças imunossupressoras. A resposta imune celular é considerada crucial na defesa contra o parasita e, encontra-se comprometida em cães com demodicidose. Com o escôpo de se determinar se linfócitos sanguíneos periféricos, TCD4+, TCD8+ e a razão TCD4+:TCD8+ são bons indicadores da evolução clínica da doença e do estado imune de cães demodicidose generalizada, tais parâmetros foram quantificados em 16 animais com demodicidose generalizada, na pré, trans e pós terapia, e em outros 30 animais hígidos, utilizando-se da técnica de citometria de fluxo. Para as análises estatísticas comparativas, foram padronizados quatro momentos de observação dos animais com demodicidose, a saber: primeira consulta: quando do estabelecimento do diagnóstico; segunda consulta; consulta de obtenção do primeiro exame parasitológico negativo e, finalmente, naquela de estabelecimento da alta clínica, preconizada quando da ausência de evidenciação do ácaro no exame parasitológico cutâneo, por três consultas consecutivas. Os valores absolutos médios de linfócitos totais, linfócitos TCD4+ e TCD8+ nos animais com demodicidose, mostraram-se inferiores àqueles do Grupo Controle em todos os momentos de observação. Somente os valores absolutos de linfócitos TCD4+, apresentaram diminuição significativa, em relação ao Grupo Controle, no momento da primeira consulta. Entre o Grupo Experimental, foi observado elevação signficativa entre os valores absolutos dos linfócitos totais, TCD4+ e TCD8+, entre a primeira consulta e aquela de obtenção do primeiro exame parasitológico negativo, quando estes valores se aproximaram daqueles observados no Grupo Controle. Paralelamente, evidenciou-se alta correlação da elevação dos número absoluto médio dos linfócitos TCD4+ e TCD8+, com a diminuição da contagem de ácaros. A razão TCD4+:TCD8+, não diferiu significativamente entre o Grupo Controle e Experimental. O tratamento da demodicidose não alterou a razão TCD4+: TCD8+. Não foi observado correlação entre o período necessário para o estabelecimento da alta clínica e a razão TCD4+:TCD8+. O comportamento dos linfócitos sanguíneos periféricos TCD4+, TCD8+, e da razão TCD4+:TCD8+, demonstra que a participação de outros mecanismos, que não a franca alteração destas subpopulações, sejam importantes na patogenia da doença. Em linhas gerais, não foram observadas diferenças significativas, nos valores dos linfócitos TCD4+, TCD8+ e a razão TCD4+:TCD8+, entre os animais do Grupo Controle, e os animais com demodicidose generalizada , de forma que, o uso da determinação destes parâmetros, é desaconselhado no monitoramento da evolução clínica e no estabelecimento do prognóstico, nos animais com demodicidose generalizada. / Demodicosis is a serious canine parasitic skin disease. It is caused by the presence of increasead amounts of Demodex mite in the skin. Clinical signs of juvenile-onset generalized demodicosis are associated with specific hereditary dysfunction of T lymphocytes while adult-onset can be induced by immunosuppressive diseases. The cellular immunity is crucial in keeping low numbers of skin mites and it is depressed in dogs with generalized demodicosis. The aim of this study was to verify whether CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes counts and CD4+:CD8+ ratio could be good indicators of disease progression and immune status in canine demodicosis. For this, using the flow cytometry technique, the CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes counts and CD4+:CD8+ ratio of 16 dogs with generalized demodicosis were evaluated at four moments: first and second consultation, first time animal was presented without mites in skin scrapings and finally, on clinical improvement. These values were then compared with those of 30 controls healthy dogs. The absolute numbers of CD4+, CD8+ and total lymphocytes were lower than control healthy dogs at all moments of analysis. Only at the first consultation CD4+ lymphocyte counts was significant lower than control group. Dogs with generalized demodicosis had signicant increased counts of CD4+, CD8+ and total lymphocytes from the first consultation until the first negative skin scraping. At this point lymphocyte counts reached levels closesth to control group ones. CD4 : CD8+ ratio didn´t differ throughout treatment of canine demodicosis neither when average level for ill dogs were compared to with those healthy ones. Furthermore CD4+, CD8+ and CD4:CD8+ ratio didn´t correlated with time taken for successfull treatment completion and so they couldn´t be used as prognosis predictor. A high correlation between increased of CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes counts and decreased mites counts was observed in dogs with generalized demodicosis. Circulating lymphocyte subpopulations are therefore similar in dogs with canine demodicosis and healthy dogs and there is no correlation between clinical status or response to therapy and the lymphocytes subpopulations counts. We can than conclude that CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes counts and CD4+:CD8+ ratio cannot be used as a parameters to predict progression of an individual patient in a clinical context.

A demodicidose é uma importante dermatopatia parasitária em cães. É decorrente da proliferação excessiva de ácaros comensais do gênero Demodex sp no tegumento canino. A manifestação clínica da demodicidose juvenil generalizada têm sido associada à disfunção imune hereditária de linfócitos T específica ao parasita, enquanto que, a demodicidose do aduto pode ser consequente a doenças imunossupressoras. A resposta imune celular é considerada crucial na defesa contra o parasita e, encontra-se comprometida em cães com demodicidose. Com o escôpo de se determinar se linfócitos sanguíneos periféricos, TCD4+, TCD8+ e a razão TCD4+:TCD8+ são bons indicadores da evolução clínica da doença e do estado imune de cães demodicidose generalizada, tais parâmetros foram quantificados em 16 animais com demodicidose generalizada, na pré, trans e pós terapia, e em outros 30 animais hígidos, utilizando-se da técnica de citometria de fluxo. Para as análises estatísticas comparativas, foram padronizados quatro momentos de observação dos animais com demodicidose, a saber: primeira consulta: quando do estabelecimento do diagnóstico; segunda consulta; consulta de obtenção do primeiro exame parasitológico negativo e, finalmente, naquela de estabelecimento da alta clínica, preconizada quando da ausência de evidenciação do ácaro no exame parasitológico cutâneo, por três consultas consecutivas. Os valores absolutos médios de linfócitos totais, linfócitos TCD4+ e TCD8+ nos animais com demodicidose, mostraram-se inferiores àqueles do Grupo Controle em todos os momentos de observação. Somente os valores absolutos de linfócitos TCD4+, apresentaram diminuição significativa, em relação ao Grupo Controle, no momento da primeira consulta. Entre o Grupo Experimental, foi observado elevação signficativa entre os valores absolutos dos linfócitos totais, TCD4+ e TCD8+, entre a primeira consulta e aquela de obtenção do primeiro exame parasitológico negativo, quando estes valores se aproximaram daqueles observados no Grupo Controle. Paralelamente, evidenciou-se alta correlação da elevação dos número absoluto médio dos linfócitos TCD4+ e TCD8+, com a diminuição da contagem de ácaros. A razão TCD4+:TCD8+, não diferiu significativamente entre o Grupo Controle e Experimental. O tratamento da demodicidose não alterou a razão TCD4+: TCD8+. Não foi observado correlação entre o período necessário para o estabelecimento da alta clínica e a razão TCD4+:TCD8+. O comportamento dos linfócitos sanguíneos periféricos TCD4+, TCD8+, e da razão TCD4+:TCD8+, demonstra que a participação de outros mecanismos, que não a franca alteração destas subpopulações, sejam importantes na patogenia da doença. Em linhas gerais, não foram observadas diferenças significativas, nos valores dos linfócitos TCD4+, TCD8+ e a razão TCD4+:TCD8+, entre os animais do Grupo Controle, e os animais com demodicidose generalizada , de forma que, o uso da determinação destes parâmetros, é desaconselhado no monitoramento da evolução clínica e no estabelecimento do prognóstico, nos animais com demodicidose generalizada. / Demodicosis is a serious canine parasitic skin disease. It is caused by the presence of increasead amounts of Demodex mite in the skin. Clinical signs of juvenile-onset generalized demodicosis are associated with specific hereditary dysfunction of T lymphocytes while adult-onset can be induced by immunosuppressive diseases. The cellular immunity is crucial in keeping low numbers of skin mites and it is depressed in dogs with generalized demodicosis. The aim of this study was to verify whether CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes counts and CD4+:CD8+ ratio could be good indicators of disease progression and immune status in canine demodicosis. For this, using the flow cytometry technique, the CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes counts and CD4+:CD8+ ratio of 16 dogs with generalized demodicosis were evaluated at four moments: first and second consultation, first time animal was presented without mites in skin scrapings and finally, on clinical improvement. These values were then compared with those of 30 controls healthy dogs. The absolute numbers of CD4+, CD8+ and total lymphocytes were lower than control healthy dogs at all moments of analysis. Only at the first consultation CD4+ lymphocyte counts was significant lower than control group. Dogs with generalized demodicosis had signicant increased counts of CD4+, CD8+ and total lymphocytes from the first consultation until the first negative skin scraping. At this point lymphocyte counts reached levels closesth to control group ones. CD4 : CD8+ ratio didn´t differ throughout treatment of canine demodicosis neither when average level for ill dogs were compared to with those healthy ones. Furthermore CD4+, CD8+ and CD4:CD8+ ratio didn´t correlated with time taken for successfull treatment completion and so they couldn´t be used as prognosis predictor. A high correlation between increased of CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes counts and decreased mites counts was observed in dogs with generalized demodicosis. Circulating lymphocyte subpopulations are therefore similar in dogs with canine demodicosis and healthy dogs and there is no correlation between clinical status or response to therapy and the lymphocytes subpopulations counts. We can than conclude that CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes counts and CD4+:CD8+ ratio cannot be used as a parameters to predict progression of an individual patient in a clinical context.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Sarcoptes scabiei est un acarien ectoparasite obligatoire. Sa présence dans la couche cornée de l’épiderme est à l’origine d’une gale dite sarcoptique. Cette ectoparasitose a été décrite chez 104 espèces de mammifères représentant 27 familles distinctes. Les traitements actuels de la gale sarcoptique ne sont pas toujours satisfaisants et il n’existe pas de produits qui permettent d’éliminer S. scabiei dans l’environnement. Par ailleurs, la diversité génétique de S. scabiei n’est pas clairement définie et l’unicité de l’espèce fait toujours l’objet de controverses.L’objectif de cette thèse a été d’évaluer l’efficacité d’acaricides vis-à-vis de S. scabiei en utilisant un modèle animal ou par le biais de tests in vitro. La diversité génétique d’isolats d’origine animale a également été étudiée. La première partie du travail de thèse a concerné un essai thérapeutique L’efficacité d’une administration orale unique d’afoxolaner, une molécule du groupe des isoaxazolines, a été évaluée sur des porcs expérimentalement infestés. Le critère principal d’évaluation a été la réduction du nombre de sarcoptes mis en évidence dans les raclages cutanés. Huit jours après le traitement, aucun sarcopte n’a été détecté sur les 4 porcs ayant reçu l’afoxolaner alors que des sarcoptes étaient toujours présents sur les 3 porcs ayant reçu de l’ivermectine. Tous les porcs traités étaient guéris à la fin de l’essai (J35) alors que les animaux non traités sont demeurés infestés. Les autres critères d’évaluation étaient l’évolution du score clinique et de prurit. Les lésions cutanées ont rapidement régressé dans le groupe traité par l’afoxolaner alors qu’elles étaient encore présentes à J14 dans le groupe traité avec l’ivermectine. La deuxième partie du travail de thèse a porté sur l’évaluation in vitro de différentes molécules ou produits acaricides. Plusieurs concentrations d’une solution d’ivermectin ou de moxidectine ainsi 11 huiles essentielles ont été testées. Après 24h de contact avec l’ivermectine et la moxidectine, la dose létale 50% étaient de 150,2±31,4 µg/mL et 608,3±88,0 µg/mL, respectivement. Une concentration inférieure à 1 ng/mL (pour l’ivermectine) ou à 10 ng/mL (pour la moxidectine) n’a aucune activité acaricide. Pour les huiles essentielles, des tests par fumigation et par immersion ont été réalisés. Parmi Lavandula augustifolia, Melaleuca altenifolia, Pelargonium asperum, Eucalyptus radiate, Leptospermum scoparium, Cryptomeria japonica, Citrus aurantium ssp amara et 3 l’huile essentielle identifiée (BOB4, BOB5, BOB9) testés par immersion, l’huile essentielle identifiée BOB4 s’est révélée la plus efficace (une solution à 1% tue tous les acariens en 20 min). Parmi les 10 huiles essentielles énumérées avant, plus Juniperus oxycedrus testés par immersion, l’huile essentielle de Melaleuca altenifolia s’est révélée la plus efficace (tous les acariens sont morts en 4 min). Pour le contrôle de S. scabiei dans l’environnement, différents biocides ou répulsifs ont été examinés. La durée moyenne de survie a été calculée pour les produits comportant de la perméthrine, de l’esdépallethrine et de la bioresmethrine, de la bifenthrine, de la cyperméthrine et de l’imiprothrine, de la cyfluthrine, de la tétramethrine et de la sumithrine, du DEET, de l’icaridine et le produit IR3535. La deuxième partie du travail de thèse a porté sur la diversité génétique d’isolats de S. scabiei provenant d’animaux. Une partie du gène cox1 a été amplifiée. L’analyse des séquences ainsi obtenues semble montrer que les sarcoptes circulant chez le Chien sont issus de population de sarcoptes d’origine humaine. / Sarcoptes scabiei is an ectoparasite responsible for the emerging/re-emerging disease called scabies in humans or mange in animals. It was reported in 104 species across 27 families of domestic and wild animals. Current treatments for scabies/mange are limited and there are no efficient products for the environment control of S. scabiei. Moreover, the taxonomic status of S. scabiei is still under controversy and the question remains that whether it represents a single species or several taxa.The objectives of the thesis were to assess the susceptibility to acaricides and analyse the genetic diversity of S. scabiei from animals. In the first part of the thesis, an animal model was used to evaluate the efficacy of afoxolaner, a new acaricide from the isoaxazoline family. The primary outcome of efficacy was based on the reduction in the number of live mites counted in skin scrapings following treatment. At day 8, four afoxolaner-treated pigs (out of four) were mite-free, while mites were still found in three (out of three) ivermectin-treated pigs. All treated pigs were cured at the end of the study (day 35) and all pigs in the control group remained infected. Secondary outcomes included measures on the reduction of skin lesions and pruritus. The clinical lesions of scabies infection were allowed to disappear completely for all the pigs in the afoxolaner group but not in the ivermectin group at 14 days after the treatment. An increase of the pruritus was observed right after treatment, followed by a decrease of the pruritus score in both treated groups. The second part of the thesis was to evaluate the scabicidal effect of molecules or products using an in vitro test. A gradient of concentrations of ivermectin and moxidectin as well as 11 essential oils have been evaluated in vitro against S. scabiei. After 24h of exposure to ivermectin and moxidectin, the median lethal concentrations were 150.2±31.4 µg/mL and 608.3±88.0 µg/mL, respectively. Doses of ivermectin under 1 ng/mL and moxidectin under 10 ng/mL showed no scabicidal effect. Fumigation and contact bioassays were used for the assessment of essential oils efficacy. Among Lavandula augustifolia, Melaleuca altenifolia, Pelargonium asperum, Eucalyptus radiate, Leptospermum scoparium, Cryptomeria japonica, Citrus aurantium ssp amara and 3 other unknown oils (BOB4, BOB5, BOB9) tested with the contact bioassay, the essential oil identified as BOB4 demonstrated the best scabicidal effect (1% solution killed all the mites in 20 min). Among the 10 essential oils listed before plus Juniperus oxycedrus with the fumigation bioassay, the oil Melaleuca altenifolia demonstrated the best scabicidal effect (all the mites died in only 4 min). For environmental control of S. scabiei, the efficacy of biocides or repellents was assessed. The median survival time was calculated for permethrin (4% and 0.6%), esdepallethrin and bioresmethrin, bifenthrin, cypermethrin and imiprothrin, cyfluthrin, tetramethrin and sumithrin, DEET (25% and 50%), icaridin and IR3535. The third part of the thesis included the study of the genetic diversity of populations of S. scabiei from animals. A part of cox1 was used for phylogenetic analyses. The results showed that Sarcoptes mites from dogs seem to derive from humans.

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been identified as a key predator of the threatened piping plover (Charadrius melodus) along the U.S. Atlantic coast. However, little is known about coastal red fox ecology, making it difficult to create effective red fox management strategies in these settings. Here, we quantify aspects of red fox population, spatial, and dietary ecology and interactions with threatened piping plovers on Fire Island, New York. We conducted remote camera surveys, scat and sign surveys, den monitoring, and GPS tracking of red foxes on the island in 2015–2018. We used these data to estimate red fox occupancy, reproduction, survival, and population density. We used GPS data to investigate red fox space use, habitat selection, and responses to piping plover nest exclosure setup, pre-hatch pipping, and hatching. We used fecal dietary analyses and data from den prey item surveys to quantify the frequency of piping plover predation and to identify major prey items of red foxes on the island. Red fox occupancy remained high even after substantial decreases in abundance, population density, annual reproduction, and seasonal survival following 2 sarcoptic mange outbreaks. Within their home ranges, red foxes selected areas that were closer to vegetation during the daytime and twilight hours, but farther from vegetation at night. We did not find clear evidence that red foxes in our study area keyed in on piping plover nest exclosure setup, pipping, or hatching at the spatial scales considered in our comparisons, although fox penetration of and digging at exclosures was an issue in 2015 at Smith Point County Park. Items from Orders Rodentia (rodents, 43% of scats), Coleoptera (beetles, 38%), and Decapoda (crabs and other crustaceans, 29%) were most frequently found in 293 red fox scats examined. Skates (Family Rajidae, 89% of dens with food items) and Atlantic surf clams (Spisula solidissima, 67%) were found most frequently outside of dens. We did not find any identifiable piping plover remains in red fox scats or outside of dens. Our results suggest that direct interactions between red foxes and piping plovers during our study period and in our study area were less frequent than expected, but concurrent work by collaborators documented that the trap success of red foxes was negatively related to piping plover reproductive output during our study period. Lethal removal of red foxes is unlikely to eliminate them from shorebird nesting areas unless complete eradication of foxes from the island can be achieved. We recommend strategic vegetation management in and around piping plover nesting areas to reduce daytime resting areas and hunting cover for red foxes, and continued use of nest exclosures. We also recommend further investigation into indirect impacts of red foxes on piping plover populations, and into the possibility that anthropogenic food resources could be subsidizing the island's red fox population. / Doctor of Philosophy / Red foxes have been identified as a key predator of the piping plover, a small migratory shorebird that breeds along the U.S. Atlantic coast and is considered 'threatened' (at risk of becoming endangered and eventually disappearing) within the United States. The lack of information about red fox ecology in coastal settings has been a challenge for wildlife biologists tasked with reducing predation on piping plovers. We investigated red fox ecology, behavior, and interactions with piping plovers on Fire Island, New York. We used trail cameras, collected scat (feces), monitored dens, and tracked red foxes on the island with global positioning system (GPS) collars in 2015–2018. We used these data to estimate red fox distribution, litter sizes, survival rates, and population sizes. We used GPS data to estimate red fox territory sizes, describe habitat selection, and investigate responses to piping plover nest exclosure setup, pipping (a period before hatching during which chicks vocalize inside the eggs), and hatching. We dissected red fox scats and recorded prey items found outside of dens to determine what red foxes on the island were eating. The proportion of each study area used by red foxes remained high even after substantial decreases in abundance, population density, annual reproduction, and seasonal survival following 2 parasitic disease (sarcoptic mange) outbreaks. Within their territories, red foxes selected areas that were closer to vegetation during the daytime and twilight hours but farther from vegetation at night. We did not find clear evidence that red foxes in our study area keyed in on piping plover nest exclosure setup, pipping, or hatching, although fox penetration of and digging at exclosures was an issue in some years at a site not included in those comparisons. Rodents, beetles, and crustacean remains were found most frequently in red fox scats. Skates and surf clams were found most frequently outside of dens. We did not find any identifiable piping plover remains in red fox scats or outside of dens. Our results suggest that that direct interactions between red foxes and piping plovers may be less frequent than previously believed, but concurrent work by collaborators documented that the trap success of red foxes was negatively related to piping plover reproductive output during our study period. Lethal removal of red foxes is unlikely to eliminate red foxes from shorebird nesting areas unless all foxes on the island are removed. We recommend strategic vegetation removal in and around piping plover nesting areas to reduce daytime resting spots and hunting cover for red foxes, and continued use of nest exclosures. We also recommend further investigation into indirect impacts of red foxes on piping plover populations, and into the possibility that anthropogenic food resources could be subsidizing the island's red fox population.

Orientador: Adalberto Marson / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciencias Humanas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-28T23:21:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Zanetti_Augusto_D.pdf: 6714315 bytes, checksum: ce8e1d613011fd6622c24c684f8c7ca9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2001 / Resumo: Não informado / Abstract: Not informed / Doutorado / Doutor em História