Mycobacterial infections in wild boars (Sus scrofa) from Southern Switzerland: Diagnostic improvements, epidemiological situation and zoonotic potential.

The occurrence of mycobacterial infections in different hosts and their implication as obligate or opportunistic pathogens remain mainly unclear. In addition to the well-known pathogenic members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis - complex (MTBC), over 180 non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species have been described. Although the large majority of the NTM is assumed to be non-pathogenic to most individuals, an increasing trend in NTM infections has been observed over the last decades.

PREVALENCE OF AND TETRACYCLINE RESISTANCE GENES IN WILD BOARS OF CENTRAL EUROPE.

Our aim was to investigate the occurrence and distribution of and other in the wild boar () population of Switzerland and Northern Italy and the detection of tetracycline resistance genes by PCR. We collected a total of 471 conjunctival swabs (=292), rectal swabs (=147), and lung tissue samples (=32) belonging to 292 wild boars. The prevalence of in the investigated wild boar populations was very low (1.

Stability of the southern European border of in the Alps: evidence that is a limiting factor.

The known range of the zoonotic fox tapeworm has expanded since the 1990s, and today this parasite is recorded in higher abundances throughout large parts of Europe. This phenomenon is mostly attributed to the increasing European fox populations and their invasion of urban habitats. However, these factors alone are insufficient to explain the heterogeneous distribution of the parasite in Europe.

An immunohistochemical study of retinol-binding protein (RBP) in livers of free-living polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from east Greenland.

From 1999 to 2002 samples from 114 free-ranging polar bears (Ursus maritimus) were collected in the municipality of Scoresby Sound, East Greenland, to detect levels of organochlorines and potential histopathologic changes. Livers of 16 female polar bears from this group were evaluated histologically and analyzed for hepatic retinol-binding protein by immunohistochemistry. Retinol-binding protein is the main transport protein for retinol, an important vitamin A metabolite in the polar bear.

Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) using serology and ultrasonography.

Five animals in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) died or were euthanatized because of alveolar echinococcosis, during a period of 5 years. The remainder of the colony was screened for possible infection with Echinococcus multilocularis, using serology and ultrasonography. A total of 46 animals out of a group of 55 were examined.

Echinococcus multilocularis in a European beaver from Switzerland.

Infection with the larval stage of the cestode parasite Echinococcus multilocularis was diagnosed in a European beaver (Castor fiber) in central Switzerland. The animal was hit, run over by a car, and died of trauma. It was in normal body condition and no signs of disease were seen.

Causes of mortality in reintroduced Eurasian lynx in Switzerland.

Seventy-two lynx, found dead in the Swiss Alps and the Jura Mountains (Switzerland) from 1987-99, were evaluated to determine the cause of death. Seventy-two per cent (52/72) of all animals died because of noninfectious diseases or causes such as vehicular collision and poaching. Eighteen percent (13/72) died from infectious diseases, including some which could have been transferred to the lynx from domestic animals or other wild animals such as panleukopenia and sarcoptic mange.

Notoedric and sarcoptic mange in free-ranging lynx from Switzerland.

Between March and December 1999, five free-ranging lynx (Lynx lynx) affected by mange were found dead or shot by game wardens in the Swiss Alps. In the first two cases, Notoedres cati was isolated from the skin; in the third and fourth case, Sarcoptes scabiei was the cause of the infection; and in the fifth case, a mixed infection was diagnosed. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) affected with sarcoptic mange and domestic cats infested with N.