Distribution, prevalence, and intensity of Sarcocystis infections in sika deer (Cervus nippon) of free-ranging populations in Germany and Austria.

Sika deer (Cervus nippon), which are native to the Japanese islands and the adjacent mainland of eastern Asia, have been introduced into Europe and established free-ranging populations in several countries. Various Sarcocystis species have been identified recently from farmed "mainland sika" deer in Lithuania and native "Japanese sika" deer in Japan. To study the distribution, prevalence and intensity of Sarcocystis infection in free-ranging sika deer outside of their natural range heart and/or diaphragm samples of 311 animals from nine populations in Germany and Austria were examined by histology.

An Agouti-Signaling-Protein Mutation is Strongly Associated with Melanism in European Roe Deer ().

Although the European roe deer () population of North-West Germany has a remarkable number of melanistic specimens between 10% and 25%, the underlying genetic mutation-causing melanism is still unknown. We used a gene targeting approach focusing on and as important genes of coat coloration. Overall, 1384 bp of and 2039 bp of were sequenced in 24 specimens and several SNPs were detected.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fallow deer (Dama dama) and mouflon (Ovis musimon) in Germany.

Infections with the tick-borne pathogens Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. can cause febrile disease in several mammalian species, including humans. Wild ruminants in Europe are suggested to serve as reservoir hosts for particular strains or species of these pathogens.

Dental Defects as a Potential Indicator of Chronic Malnutrition in a Population of Fallow Deer (Dama dama) from Northwestern Germany.

We studied enamel defects in mandibular cheek teeth of fallow deer from an enclosed population that had grown far beyond the carrying capacity of its habitat. Macroscopic inspection revealed a high frequency of pathological enamel alterations in the permanent premolars and the third molar, which form late during dental development, while earlier forming teeth (deciduous premolars and first molar) were generally not affected. Macroscopic enamel alterations comprised opacity and posteruptive discoloration, loss of occlusal enamel ridges, and presence of enamel surface lesions.

Schmallenberg virus in Germany 2011-2014: searching for the vectors.

Following the emergence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in 2011, 21,397 culicoid biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from targeted and non-targeted sampling activities carried out during the summer months of 2011 to 2013 and in late 2014 in various regions in Germany were analyzed for the virus by real-time RT-PCR. While no SBV was found in biting midges collected during 2011 and 2013, 2 out of 334 pools including 20 and 22 non-engorged females of the Obsoletus complex sampled in 2012 tested positive for the SBV S-segment with C(t) values of 42.46 and 35.

A broad spectrum screening of Schmallenberg virus antibodies in wildlife animals in Germany.

To identify native wildlife species possibly susceptible to infection with Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a midge-transmitted orthobunyavirus that predominantly infects domestic ruminants, samples from various free-living ruminants, but also carnivores, small mammals and wild boar were analyzed serologically. Before 2011, no SBV-specific antibodies were detectable in any of the tested species, thereafter, a large proportion of the ruminant population became seropositive, while every sample taken from carnivores or small mammals tested negative. Surprisingly, SBV-specific-antibodies were also present in a large number of blood samples from wild boar during the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 hunting seasons.

Increased Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Disease Prevalence in Domestic Hybrids Among Free-Living Wild Boar.

Wildlife immune genes are subject to natural selection exerted by pathogens. In contrast, domestic immune genes are largely protected from pathogen selection by veterinary care. Introgression of domestic alleles into the wild could lead to increased disease susceptibility, but observations are scarce due to low introgression rates, low disease prevalence and reduced survival of domestic hybrids.

Reintroductions and genetic introgression from domestic pigs have shaped the genetic population structure of Northwest European wild boar.

Background: Population genetic studies focus on natural dispersal and isolation by landscape barriers as the main drivers of genetic population structure. However, anthropogenic factors such as reintroductions, translocations and wild x domestic hybridization may also have strong effects on genetic population structure. In this study we genotyped 351 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism markers evenly spread across the genome in 645 wild boar (Sus scrofa) from Northwest Europe to evaluate determinants of genetic population structure.

Suspicion of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis transmission between cattle and wild-living red deer (Cervus elaphus) by multitarget genotyping.

Multitarget genotyping of the etiologic agent Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis is necessary for epidemiological tracing of paratuberculosis (Johne's disease). The study was undertaken to assess the informative value of different typing techniques and individual genome markers by investigation of M.

Absence of antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease virus in free-ranging roe deer from selected areas of Germany (2001-2002).

Blood samples (n = 223) of free-ranging roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) were collected from selected hunting grounds in Germany between October 2001 and October 2002. Samples originated from Lower Saxony (n = 43) and North-Rhine Westphalia (n = 108) within a 20-km area ("cordon") cordoned off along the border of The Netherlands. This is adjacent to the area of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that occurred between 21 March and 22 April 2001 in The Netherlands.