Highlights in Veterinary Entomology, 2020: The Importance of the Contributions of Government Scientists to Research in Veterinary Entomology

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjab104 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kimberly H Lohmeyer

Keyword(s):

Federal Government ◽

Resistance Management ◽

Pathogen Transmission ◽

Domesticated Animals ◽

Veterinary Entomology

Abstract The field of veterinary entomology is primarily associated with the study of arthropods that impact the health of animals. Papers featured in the compilation of highlighted research from 2020 focused on studies conducted by scientists from the federal government that sought to understand and manage arthropods associated with wild and domesticated animals. The topics of these articles included research from the basic tenets of veterinary entomology: 1) biology and ecology of economically important pests, 2) novel control tactics and resistance management, 3) genomics, and 4) pathogen transmission. Key findings of the highlighted papers are presented and discussed to serve as a presentation record.

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Sparse Evidence for Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia Infections in Humans, Domesticated Animals and Wild Nonhuman Primates Sharing a Farm–Forest Mosaic Landscape in Western Uganda

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10080933 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 933

Author(s):

Marie Cibot ◽

Matthew R. McLennan ◽

Martin Kváč ◽

Bohumil Sak ◽

Caroline Asiimwe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nonhuman Primates ◽

Triosephosphate Isomerase ◽

Ribosomal Subunit ◽

Oral Route ◽

Pathogen Transmission ◽

Mosaic Landscape ◽

Domesticated Animals ◽

Black And White ◽

Cryptosporidium Spp ◽

Animal Contact

Zoonotic pathogen transmission is considered a leading threat to the survival of non-human primates and public health in shared landscapes. Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia are unicellular parasites spread by the fecal-oral route by environmentally resistant stages and can infect humans, livestock, and wildlife including non-human primates. Using immunoassay diagnostic kits and amplification/sequencing of the region of the triosephosphate isomerase, small ribosomal subunit rRNA and the internal transcribed spacer genes, we investigated Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and microsporidia infections, respectively, among humans, domesticated animals (livestock, poultry, and dogs), and wild nonhuman primates (eastern chimpanzees and black and white colobus monkeys) in Bulindi, Uganda, an area of remarkably high human–animal contact and spatial overlap. We analyzed 137 fecal samples and revealed the presence of G. intestinalis assemblage B in two human isolates, G. intestinalis assemblage E in one cow isolate, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype II in two humans and one goat isolate. None of the chimpanzee and colobus monkey samples were positive for any of the screened parasites. Regular distribution of antiparasitic treatment in both humans and domestic animals in Bulindi could have reduced the occurrence of the screened parasites and decreased potential circulation of these pathogens among host species.

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Fido, Fluffy, and wildlife conservation: The environmental consequences of domesticated animals

Environmental Reviews ◽

10.1139/er-2016-0111 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 381-395 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

William M. Twardek ◽

Kathryn S. Peiman ◽

Austin J. Gallagher ◽

Steven J. Cooke

Keyword(s):

Wildlife Conservation ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Pathogen Transmission ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Domesticated Animals ◽

Environmental Consequences ◽

Behavioural Modification ◽

Pet Owners ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Human Wildlife Conflict

Humans have created a strong relationship with cats and dogs by domesticating them. Whether owned by a human or living feral, modern domestic cats and dogs interact extensively with people and the environment. The negative interactions between these domesticated animals and wildlife have been discussed in several reviews, but few reports have provided an overview of both the positive and negative impacts these domesticated animals have on wildlife conservation. Here, we describe the diverse issues associated with domestic cats and dogs and wildlife including predation, competition, pathogen transmission, hybridization, behavioural modification, harvest of wild animals for pet food, and creation of human–wildlife conflict. We then discuss their role in supporting conservation efforts (e.g., use in species identification and tracking, biological control), and shaping our social values towards animals and appreciation for nature. Finally, we suggest necessary steps to harmonize our relationship with cats and dogs and the conservation of wildlife. For owned animals, there is potential for pet owners to support conservation efforts through a ‘pet tax’ adopted by veterinary clinics and pet stores to be used for wildlife conservation. Moreover, information regarding the impacts of these animals on wildlife and potential solutions (e.g., voluntarily keeping cats and dogs inside or use of “pet curfews”, use of bells to alert wildlife to cats) should be made available to owners who are most likely to have an influence on the behaviour of their companion animal.

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