A case of fatal Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was diagnosed postmortem in a captive 33-yr-old male black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) after a nonspecific illness in April 2013. Retrospective testing of sera from this individual revealed that it had been seroreactive by ElephantTB STAT-PAK, dual-path platform VetTB, and multi-antigen print immunoassay for over 12 yr prior to death. Although samples collected at the time of intradermal tuberculin test performed in October 2000 were nonreactive in all three serologic assays, the animal appeared to seroconvert approximately 2.5 wk after the skin test administration. The antibody response remained detectable for the duration of the animal's life (12+ yr), indicating ongoing immunologic stimulation. The current case report supports the use of serologic assays for diagnosis of TB in black rhinoceros and may provide information for earlier detection. However, further research is needed to develop tools for recognition of mycobacterial infections in rhinoceros.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1638/2014-0172R1.1 | DOI Listing |
Zoo Biol
January 2025
Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Mosman New South Wales 2088, Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia.
A zoo-based, 11-year-old, uniparous southern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) failed to conceive after weaning a calf. Behavioral observation and fecal progestagen monitoring confirmed irregular estrous cycles. Serial transrectal reproductive ultrasound examination revealed the cause to be recurrent anovulatory hemorrhagic follicles (AHFs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Vet Diagn Invest
December 2024
Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
African rhinoceros undergo chemical immobilization and prolonged transport during translocations for conservation purposes and, hence, experience several pathophysiologic changes, including skeletal muscle injury. Potential concurrent myocardial injury has not been investigated due to a lack of validated immunoassays. We aimed to use inferred cardiac troponin I (cTnI) amino acid sequences of southern white () and southern-central black () rhinoceros to assess the potential usefulness of several commercial cTnI immunoassays for detecting cTnI in African rhinoceros.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZoo Biol
October 2024
Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW), Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Despite serum ferritin's potential as an iron status indicator, its concentrations vary significantly throughout a black rhinoceros's (Diceros bicornis) life, sometimes irrespective of iron load. We explored acute phase response-related biomarkers, serum amyloid A (SAA) and ceruloplasmin (Cp), to better understand the mechanisms influencing serum ferritin changes in managed black rhinoceroses. The objective was to evaluate the relationships between circulating levels of ferritin, SAA, and Cp in black and white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimals (Basel)
October 2024
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
This study aimed to detect seasonal and species differences in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations during summer and winter months in captive pachyderms in Europe. Both elephant species had low 25(OH)D while African elephants did not show a seasonal variation. Asian elephants had significantly higher 25(OH)D compared to their African counterparts but also did not show a seasonal difference.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFViruses
September 2024
Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
Vesicular stomatitis (VS) is a viral disease that affects horses, cattle, and swine that is transmitted by direct contact and hematophagous insects. In 2023, a multi-state outbreak of vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus (VSNJV) occurred in California, Nevada, and Texas, infecting horses, cattle, and rhinoceros. To identify possible insect vectors, we conducted insect surveillance at various locations in San Diego County, CA, including at a wildlife park.
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