Filter Papers to Collect Blood Samples from Dogs: An Easier Way to Monitor the Mass Vaccination Campaigns against Rabies?

Rabies is a deadly viral disease present mainly in low-income countries of Africa and Asia. Dogs are the main reservoir and the source of human deaths. Mass vaccination campaigns of dogs are pivotal to achieve rabies elimination.

Experimental Infection of Captive Red Foxes () with .

In Europe, animal tuberculosis (TB) due to involves multi-host communities that include cattle and wildlife species, such as wild boar (), badgers () and red deer (). Red fox () infections have also been recently reported in some TB endemic regions in the Iberian Peninsula and France, with some of the infected animals shedding in urine and feces. In order to understand the pathogenesis of infection in foxes and the associated risk of transmission, 12 captive foxes (6 females and 6 males) were inoculated orally with 2 × 10 colony-forming units of a French field isolate of .

Masticatory system integration in a commensal canid: interrelationships between bones, muscles and bite force in the red fox.

The jaw system in canids is essential for defence and prey acquisition. However, how it varies in wild species in comparison with domestic species remains poorly understood, yet is of interest in terms of understanding the impact of artificial selection. Here, we explored the variability and interrelationships between the upper and lower jaws, muscle architecture and bite force in the red fox ().

Bite force and its relationship to jaw shape in domestic dogs.

Previous studies based on two-dimensional methods have suggested that the great morphological variability of cranial shape in domestic dogs has impacted bite performance. Here, we used a three-dimensional biomechanical model based on dissection data to estimate the bite force of 47 dogs of various breeds at several bite points and gape angles. bite force for three Belgian shepherd dogs was used to validate our model.

Comparison of intra- and inter-host genetic diversity in rabies virus during experimental cross-species transmission.

The development of high-throughput genome sequencing enables accurate measurements of levels of sub-consensus intra-host virus genetic diversity and analysis of the role played by natural selection during cross-species transmission. We analysed the natural and experimental evolution of rabies virus (RABV), an important example of a virus that is able to make multiple host jumps. In particular, we (i) analyzed RABV evolution during experimental host switching with the goal of identifying possible genetic markers of host adaptation, (ii) compared the mutational changes observed during passage with those observed in natura, and (iii) determined whether the colonization of new hosts or tissues requires adaptive evolution in the virus.

Reconsidering Oral Rabies Vaccine Bait Uptake Evaluation at Population Level: A Simple, Noninvasive, and Ethical Method by Fecal Survey Using a Physical Biomarker.

Tetracycline and rhodamine are bait uptake biomarkers commonly used for decades in oral rabies vaccination campaigns. They require tooth collection and the capture or death of animals. Here, we considered the use of marked baits with plastic beads, a physical biomarker allowing noninvasive scat survey by direct observation in the field.

Longitudinal survey of two serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus) maternity colonies exposed to EBLV-1 (European Bat Lyssavirus type 1): Assessment of survival and serological status variations using capture-recapture models.

This study describes two longitudinal serological surveys of European Bat Lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1) antibodies in serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus) maternity colonies located in the North-East of France. This species is currently considered as the main EBLV-1 reservoir. Multievent capture-recapture models were used to determine the factors influencing bat rabies transmission as this method accounts for imperfect detection and uncertainty in disease states.

Safety, efficacy and immunogenicity evaluation of the SAG2 oral rabies vaccine in Formosan ferret badgers.

Since 2013, rabies cases have been reported among Formosan ferret badgers in Taiwan, and they have been shown to be the major reservoirs for Taiwanese enzootics. To control and eradicate rabies, the authorities plan to implement a vaccination programme. Before distributing live vaccines in the field, this study assessed the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of SAG2 vaccine on ferret badgers by direct oral instillation.

Estimating the global burden of endemic canine rabies.

Background: Rabies is a notoriously underreported and neglected disease of low-income countries. This study aims to estimate the public health and economic burden of rabies circulating in domestic dog populations, globally and on a country-by-country basis, allowing an objective assessment of how much this preventable disease costs endemic countries.

Methodology/principal Findings: We established relationships between rabies mortality and rabies prevention and control measures, which we incorporated into a model framework.

Use of filter paper blood samples for rabies antibody detection in foxes and raccoon dogs.

The effectiveness of oral rabies vaccination in wildlife is usually evaluated by the detection of rabies antibodies. However, the assessment of rabies antibodies has several technical difficulties in the field, such as the collection, storage, transport and titration of blood samples, often of poor quality. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of collecting blood on a filter paper (FP) coupled with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) titration of rabies antibodies in raccoon dogs and red foxes.

Determination of bromadiolone residues in fox faeces by LC/ESI-MS in relationship with toxicological data and clinical signs after repeated exposure.

In many countries, the fox (Vulpes vulpes), predator of small mammals, is particularly affected by anticoagulant rodenticides such as bromadiolone due to secondary poisoning. Nevertheless, to date, no method of exposure monitoring is applicable in the field over large areas, and no toxicological data are available concerning sensitivity of foxes to bromadiolone. The aim of this work was to compare excretion kinetics of bromadiolone in fox faeces with clinical and haemostatic effects after repeated exposure to intoxicated voles.

Experimental infection of foxes with European Bat Lyssaviruses type-1 and 2.

Background: Since 1954, there have been in excess of 800 cases of rabies as a result of European Bat Lyssaviruses types 1 and 2 (EBLV-1, EBLV-2) infection, mainly in Serotine and Myotis bats respectively. These viruses have rarely been reported to infect humans and terrestrial mammals, as the only exceptions are sheep in Denmark, a stone marten in Germany and a cat in France. The purpose of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of foxes to EBLVs using silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as a model.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in raptors from France.

Little is known about the prevalence or importance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in raptors. Sera from Eurasian Buzzards (Buteo buteo, n=14), Tawny Owls (Strix aluco, n=12), Barn Owls (Tyto alba, n=18), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus, n=1), and Common Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus, n=8) were examined for agglutinating antibodies using the modified agglutination test at 1:25 dilution. Antibodies were not detected in Common Kestrels and the Eurasian Sparrowhawk but were detected in 11 Eurasian Buzzards (79%), six Tawny Owls (50%), and two Barn Owls (11%).

Long-term monitoring of classical swine fever in wild boar (Sus scrofa sp.) using serological data.

In the European Community, epizootics of classical swine fever (CSF) in the wild boar (Sus scrofa) are compulsorily monitored because transmission may occur between wild boars and domestic pigs, causing heavy economic losses to the pork industry. The estimation of incidence in populations of wild boars is generally based on viroprevalence. However, viral isolation becomes rare when the incidence is low because the virus cannot be detected for more than a few weeks following infection.