Serological Screening of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Several Mammalian Species in Wilhelma Zoo, Stuttgart, Germany.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) affects both humans and a wide range of mammalian species globally. Between July 2022 and January 2023, fifteen blood samples were collected from twelve different animal species during veterinary examinations, as well as for health control at Wilhelma Zoo, Germany. These samples were later analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Left ventricular trabeculation in Hominidae: divergence of the human cardiac phenotype.

Although the gross morphology of the heart is conserved across mammals, subtle interspecific variations exist in the cardiac phenotype, which may reflect evolutionary divergence among closely-related species. Here, we compare the left ventricle (LV) across all extant members of the Hominidae taxon, using 2D echocardiography, to gain insight into the evolution of the human heart. We present compelling evidence that the human LV has diverged away from a more trabeculated phenotype present in all other great apes, towards a ventricular wall with proportionally greater compact myocardium, which was corroborated by post-mortem chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) hearts.

First Insights into the Occurrence of Circular Single-Stranded DNA Genomes in Asian and African Cattle.

Circular replicase-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) DNA viruses and other circular DNA agents are increasingly found in various samples and animals. A specific class of these agents-termed bovine meat and milk factors (BMMF)-has been supposed to act as a factor in indirect carcinogenesis in humans. Initial observations attributed the BMMF to European cattle breeds and foodstuffs produced thereof.

Intestinal Protists in Captive Non-human Primates and Their Handlers in Six European Zoological Gardens. Molecular Evidence of Zoonotic Transmission.

We assessed the occurrence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential of four protozoan ( spp., ), one stramenopile ( sp.), one microsporidia (), and two ciliate () intestinal parasite or commensal protist species in captive non-human primates (NHP) and their zookeepers from six European zoological gardens in France ( = 1), Germany ( = 1), and Spain ( = 4).

Morphological diagnosis and successful treatment of chorioptic mange in 2 South American coatis (Nasua nasua).

Two female South American coatis () kept in a zoo in Southern Germany presented with pruritus and moderate hair loss at the dorsal trunk, thigh areas and alongside the tail. Otherwise the animals showed no clinical signs. While the clinical general examination as well as cytology of dermatologic samples showed no pathologic changes, sp.

Immunocontraception of male and female giraffes using the GnRH vaccine Improvac®.

The aim of this study was to develop protocols for contraception in both sexes of giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) by using the GnRH vaccine Improvac®. We evaluated the success of immunization by analyzing fecal reproductive hormone metabolites in female (n = 20) and male (n = 9) giraffes. Endocrine analysis provided the basis for the successful immunization protocol, as well as for assessing long-term effects.

Subspecies Infection in Zoo Animals: A Review of Susceptibility and Disease Process.

subspecies (MAP) is the causative agent of paratuberculosis (ParaTB or Johne's disease), a contagious, chronic and typically fatal enteric disease of domestic and non-domestic ruminants. Clinically affected animals present wasting and emaciation. However, MAP can also infect non-ruminant animal species with less specific signs.

Chronic wasting associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae in three ex situ breeding facilities for tropical frogs.

A number of different Chlamydia spp. have been detected in the class Amphibia with C. pneumoniae being the predominant species involved.

Molecular and Serological Footprints of Subspecies Infections in Zoo Animals.

Background: Mycobacteria of the complex (MAC) pose a significant risk to zoological collections. subspecies (MAP) is a member of MAC and the causative agent of Johne's disease. Despite many reports in animals kept in zoological gardens, systemic surveillance has rarely been reported.

Streptococcus castoreus, an uncommon group A Streptococcus in beavers.

Streptococcus castoreus is a rarely encountered beta-haemolytic group A Streptococcus with high tropism for the beaver as host. Based on 27 field isolates under study, evidence strongly suggests that S. castoreus behaves as an opportunistic pathogen in beavers.

New approach in thermal pregnancy diagnosis: Teat's heating in babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa).

Besides chemical testing, thermographic imaging is a possible method to determine pregnancy in some animals. Hilsberg (2001) defined the unilateral warming at the end of a pregnancy, caused by the metabolizing fetus and the uterus near the outer skin, as the pregnancy field. Its appearance was observed in various species at the end of the gestation period.

Prolonged luteal lifespan and pseudopregnancy in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus).

Pseudopregnancy is a physiological occurrence in mammals which have copulation induced ovulation, but is rarely described in spontaneous ovulating species. In this study, three cases of prolonged luteal lifespan are reported in non-pregnant Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Case 1 was a 25-year-old female that had produced three calves previously; Case 2 was a nulliparous and 32-year-old at the start of the pseudopregnancy episode; and Case 3 occurred in a 49-year-old nulliparous elephant.

Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection in zoo animals and identification of a rodent-borne strain in a Syrian brown bear.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E, an emerging infectious disease of humans. HEV infections have also been described in various animal species. Whereas domestic pigs and wild boars are well-known animal reservoirs for HEV, the knowledge on natural HEV infection in zoo animals is scarce so far.

Detection of HEV-specific antibodies in four non-human primate species, including great apes, from different zoos in Germany.

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been described in humans and various animal species in different regions of the world. However, the knowledge on natural HEV infection in non-human primates and the corresponding risk of zoonotic transmission is scarce. To determine whether primates in captivity are affected by HEV infection, we investigated 259 individual sera of clinically healthy non-human primates of 14 species from nine German zoos.

Hepatitis E virus and related viruses in wild, domestic and zoo animals: A review.

Hepatitis E is a human disease mainly characterized by acute liver illness, which is caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Large hepatitis E outbreaks have been described in developing countries; however, the disease is also increasingly recognized in industrialized countries. Mortality rates up to 25% have been described for pregnant women during outbreaks in developing countries.

Streptococcus agalactiae in elephants - A comparative study with isolates from human and zoo animal and livestock origin.

Streptococcus (S.) agalactiae represents a significant pathogen for humans and animals. However, there are only a few elderly reports on S.

Arcanobacterium wilhelmae sp. nov., isolated from the genital tract of a rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis).

A taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach was performed on an unidentified Arcanobacterium-like Gram-stain-positive bacterium isolated from the genital tract of a rhinoceros. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the bacterium belonged to the genus Arcanobacterium and was most closely related to the type strains of Arcanobacterium canis (98.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Arcanobacterium phocisimile (97.

Identification of snake arenaviruses in live boas and pythons in a zoo in Germany.

Objective: Recent studies have described the detection and characterisation of new, snake specific arenaviruses in boas and pythons with inclusion body disease (IBD). The objective of this study was to detect arenaviral RNA in live snakes and to determine if these were associated with IBD in all cases. Samples for arenavirus detection in live animals were compared.