The VetMAX™ M. tuberculosis complex PCR kit detects MTBC DNA in antemortem and postmortem samples from white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer)

The time which elapses before cessation of breathing, and blood pressure and blood gas changes after the intramuscular administration of suxamethonium, or a mixture of suxamethonium and hexamethonium, is compared in immobilised African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and buffaloes (Syncerus caffer). In addition, the respiratory responses of elephants and other animals to intravenous administration of suxamethonium and succinylmonocholine are reported on, as are the effects of darting animals with succinylmonocholine. The results show that respiration is affected in a similar fashion in all species investigated. However, the characteristic gradual decrease in respiratory rate seen in elephants during culling, using suxamethonium, resembles the effects observed when succinylmonocholine is administered. It is suggested that elephants are killed by this first breakdown product of suxamethonium during culling and/or that unique acetylcholine receptors may be involved.

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The VetMAXTM M. tuberculosis Complex PCR Kit detects MTBC DNA in antemortem and postmortem samples from White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer).

10.21203/rs.2.23897/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wynand Johan Goosen ◽

Tanya Jane Kerr ◽

Léanie Kleynhans ◽

Peter Buss ◽

David Cooper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex ◽

African Elephants ◽

Tuberculosis Complex ◽

Wildlife Species ◽

Exposed Population ◽

White Rhinoceros ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Positive Results ◽

Culture Negative

Abstract Background: Bovine tuberculosis and tuberculosis are chronic infectious diseases caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members, Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis , respectively. Infection with M. bovis and M. tuberculosis have significant implications for wildlife species management, public health, veterinary disease control, and conservation endeavours. Results : Here we describe the first use of the VetMAX TM Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) detection kit for African wildlife samples. DNA was extracted from tissues harvested from 48 African buffaloes and MTBC DNA was detected (test-positive) in all 26 M. bovis culture-confirmed animals with an additional 12 PCR-positive results in culture-negative buffaloes (originating from an exposed population). Of six MTBC-infected African rhinoceros tested, MTBC DNA was detected in antemortem and postmortem samples from five animals. The PCR was also able to detect MTBC DNA in samples from two African elephants confirmed to have M. bovis and M. tuberculosis infections (one each). Culture-confirmed uninfected rhinoceros and elephants’ samples tested negative in the PCR assay.Conclusions: These results suggest this new detection kit is a sensitive screening test for the detection of MTBC-infected African buffaloes, African elephants and white rhinoceros.

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The VetMAXTM M. tuberculosis Complex PCR Kit detects MTBC DNA in antemortem and postmortem samples from white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer)

10.21203/rs.2.23897/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wynand Johan Goosen ◽

Tanya Jane Kerr ◽

Léanie Kleynhans ◽

Peter Buss ◽

David Cooper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

African Elephants ◽

Tuberculosis Complex ◽

Pcr Assay ◽

Wildlife Species ◽

Exposed Population ◽

White Rhinoceros ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Positive Results ◽

Culture Negative

Abstract Background: Bovine tuberculosis and tuberculosis are chronic infectious diseases caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members, Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, respectively. Infection with M. bovis and M. tuberculosis have significant implications for wildlife species management, public health, veterinary disease control, and conservation endeavours.Results: Here we describe the first use of the VetMAXTM Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) detection kit for wildlife samples. DNA was extracted from tissues harvested from 48 African buffaloes and MTBC DNA was detected (test-positive) in all 26 M. bovis culture-confirmed animals with an additional 12 PCR-positive results in culture-negative buffaloes (originating from an exposed population). Of six MTBC-infected African rhinoceros tested, MTBC DNA was detected in antemortem and postmortem samples from five animals. The PCR was also able to detect MTBC DNA in samples from two African elephants confirmed to have M. bovis and M. tuberculosis infections (one each). Culture-confirmed uninfected rhinoceros and elephants’ samples tested negative in the PCR assay.Conclusions: These results suggest this new detection kit is a sensitive screening test for the detection of MTBC-infected African buffaloes, African elephants and white rhinoceros.

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Emotional States of African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) Kept for Animal–Visitor Interactions, as Perceived by People Differing in Age and Knowledge of the Species

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030826 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 826

Author(s):

Ilaria Pollastri ◽

Simona Normando ◽

Barbara Contiero ◽

Gregory Vogt ◽

Donatella Gelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Methods ◽

Free Choice ◽

Loxodonta Africana ◽

Procrustes Analysis ◽

Emotional States ◽

African Elephants ◽

Daily Routines ◽

Video Clips ◽

Behavioral Expression ◽

Degree Of Separation

This study aimed to investigate how three groups of people of differing ages, and with differing knowledge of the species, perceived the emotional state of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) managed in captive and semi-captive environments. Fifteen video-clips of 18 elephants, observed during three different daily routines (release from and return to the night boma; interactions with visitors), were used for a free choice profiling assessment (FCP) and then analyzed with quantitative methods. A general Procrustes analysis identified two main descriptive dimensions of elephant behavioral expression explaining 27% and 19% of the variability in the children group, 19% and 23.7% in adults, and 21.8% and 17% in the expert group. All the descriptors the observers came up with showed a low level of correlation on the identified dimensions. All three observers’ groups showed a degree of separation between captive and semi-captive management. Spearman analyses showed that stereotypic “trunk swirling” behavior correlated negatively with first dimension (free/friendly versus sad/bored) in the children’s group; second dimension (agitated/confident versus angry/bored) amongst the adults; and first dimension (active/excited versus agitated/bored) amongst the experts. More studies are needed to investigate other potential differences in assessing elephants’ emotional states by visitors of different ages and backgrounds.

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