Publications

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unusual odd-chain and trans-octadecenoic fatty acids in tissues of feral european beaver (castorfiber), eurasian badger (melesmeles) and raccoon dog (nyctereutesprocyonoides).the fatty acid (fa) composition of depot adipose tissues in the raccoon dog (nyctereutesprocyonoides) and the european beaver (castorfiber) differs from that reported for the lipids of other monogastric animals, especially with regard to the presence of trans-octadecenoic acids. the concentrations of pentadecanoic acid 15:0 (pa) and heptadecanoic acid 17:0 (ha) in the lipids of the tested animals ranged from 0.23 to 0.79% and from 0.33 to 2.35% of total fas, respectively. the total content of th ...200919243702
bronchoalveolar lavage cytology from captive badgers.bronchoalveolar lavage (bal) fluid is evaluated for the diagnosis and study of lung disease and airway inflammation. cytologic profiles for bal fluid have not been reported for badgers and may be useful in understanding the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases such as mycobacterium bovis.200919351340
an assessment of injury to european badgers (meles meles) due to capture in stopped restraints.as part of ongoing culling operations, european badgers (meles meles) were captured using stopped restraints in winter (october to december 2005) and summer (may to june 2006) in the republic of ireland. a subset of these badgers, those caught during four consecutive nights, was examined postmortem to determine the frequency and severity of physical injuries resulting from capture in the restraints. the skin and the tissues underlying the restraint of 343 badgers were assessed for injury by visu ...200919395757
physaloptera sibirica in foxes and badgers from the western alps (italy).we investigated the presence of physaloptera sibirica and its distribution as well as the association among the parasite, host (i.e. mange due to sarcoptes scabiei) and environmental factors (i.e. altitudes) in foxes (vulpes vulpes) and badgers (meles meles) from the north-west of italy. from 1996 to 2008 a total of 608 foxes, culled by hunters or road killed, and 39 road killed badgers were examined in order to investigate the presence of nematodes in the stomach. p. sibirica was found in 16 fo ...200919411141
social group size affects mycobacterium bovis infection in european badgers (meles meles).1. in most social animals, the prevalence of directly transmitted pathogens increases in larger groups and at higher population densities. such patterns are predicted by models of mycobacterium bovis infection in european badgers (meles meles). 2. we investigated the relationship between badger abundance and m. bovis prevalence, using data on 2696 adult badgers in 10 populations sampled at the start of the randomized badger culling trial. 3. m. bovis prevalence was consistently higher at low bad ...200919486382
disease threats to the endangered iberian lynx (lynx pardinus).the iberian lynx, (lynx pardinus), is the most endangered felid in the world. to determine whether sympatric carnivores are reservoirs of pathogens posing a disease risk for the lynx, evidence of exposure to 17 viral, bacterial and protozoan agents was investigated in 176 carnivores comprising 26 free-living lynx, 53 domestic cats, 28 dogs, 33 red foxes (vulpes vulpes), 24 egyptian mongooses (herpestes ichneumon), 10 common genets (genetta genetta) and 2 eurasian badgers (meles meles) in the are ...200918555712
isolation of borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato from the skin of the european badger (meles meles) in switzerland.no data are available on the role of badgers in the ecology of lyme borreliosis spirochetes in europe. in a recent study describing validation of a molecular method allowing host dna identification and borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato detection in ixodes ricinus, the simultaneous presence of b. afzelii dna and of european badger (meles meles) dna was detected in i. ricinus ticks in switzerland. this suggested that badgers might be reservoir hosts for b. afzelii. here, we present results obtained ...200918945190
leptospirosis in wild and domestic carnivores in natural areas in andalusia, spain.leptospirosis is a zoonosis that affects humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. carnivores are at the top of the feeding chain, thus being exposed to pathogens through their preys. from june 2004 to april 2007, we analyzed for evidences of contact with 14 serovars of leptospira interrogans sensu lato serum (analyzed by indirect microscopic agglutination test) and urine or kidney samples (analyzed by microscopic observation, immunostaining and culture) collected from 201 wild and domestic carniv ...200918973450
immunological responses following experimental endobronchial infection of badgers (meles meles) with different doses of mycobacterium bovis.the eurasian badger (meles meles) is a wildlife reservoir for mycobacterium bovis infection in ireland and great britain and has been implicated in the transmission of tuberculosis to cattle. vaccination of badgers is an option that could be used as part of a strategy to control the disease. in this study we used an endobronchial infection procedure to inoculate groups of badgers with three different doses (3x10(3), 2x10(2) and <10 colony forming units (cfus)) of m. bovis. after 17 weeks the dis ...200918986710
immunological responses and protective immunity in bcg vaccinated badgers following endobronchial infection with mycobacterium bovis.european badgers (meles meles) are a reservoir host of mycobacterium bovis and are implicated in the transmission of tuberculosis to cattle in ireland and great britain. the development of a vaccine for use in badgers is considered a key element of any campaign to eradicate the disease in livestock in both countries. in this study we have vaccinated groups of badgers with approximately 5 x 10(5)cfu of the bcg vaccine delivered via two alternative routes, subcutaneous and mucosal (intranasal/conj ...200919010372
pathology of mycobacterium bovis infection in wild meerkats (suricata suricatta).pathological lesions associated with mycobacterium bovis infection (bovine tuberculosis; btb) in free-living meerkats (suricata suricatta) in the kalahari desert of south africa are described. the pathology of btb in meerkats was determined through detailed post-mortem examinations of 57 animals (52 meerkats showing clinical signs of btb, and five not showing signs of disease). lymph nodes and tissue lesions thought to be associated with btb were cultured for mycobacteria. all 52 btb-infected me ...200919070868
researchers warn of m. bovis infection threat in rural areas.bovine tuberculosis (tb), caused by mycobacterium bovis, remains a serious animal health problem in the uk, in spite of longstanding statutory surveillance and control measures. endemic infection in the eurasian badger population is thought to complicate bovine tb eradication efforts. sporadic cases of m. bovis infection have also been reported in domestic animals other than cattle. human m. bovis infection is extremely rare in the uk population in the absence of unpasteurised milk consumption o ...200928085628
a forensic str profiling system for the eurasian badger: a framework for developing profiling systems for wildlife species.developing short tandem repeat (str) profiling systems for forensic identification is complicated in animal species. obtaining a representative number of individuals from populations, limited access to family groups and a lack of developed str markers can make adhering to human forensic guidelines difficult. furthermore, a lack of animal specific guidelines may explain why many wildlife forensic str profiling systems developed to date have not appropriately addressed areas such as marker validat ...200819083789
neospora caninum antibodies in wild carnivores from spain.serum samples from 251 wild carnivores from different regions of spain were tested for antibodies to neospora caninum by the commercial competitive screening enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (c-elisa) and confirmed by neospora agglutination test (nat) and/or by indirect fluorescent antibody test (ifat). samples with antibodies detected by at least two serological tests were considered seropositive. antibodies to n. caninum were found in 3.2% of 95 red foxes (vulpes vulpes); in 21.4% of 28 wolve ...200818556128
animal-side serologic assay for rapid detection of mycobacterium bovis infection in multiple species of free-ranging wildlife.numerous species of mammals are susceptible to mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (tb). several wildlife hosts have emerged as reservoirs of m. bovis infection for domestic livestock in different countries. in the present study, blood samples were collected from eurasian badgers (n=1532), white-tailed deer (n=463), brushtail possums (n=129), and wild boar (n=177) for evaluation of antibody responses to m. bovis infection by a lateral-flow rapid test (rt) and multiant ...200818602770
the abundance threshold for plague as a critical percolation phenomenon.percolation theory is most commonly associated with the slow flow of liquid through a porous medium, with applications to the physical sciences. epidemiological applications have been anticipated for disease systems where the host is a plant or volume of soil, and hence is fixed in space. however, no natural examples have been reported. the central question of interest in percolation theory, the possibility of an infinite connected cluster, corresponds in infectious disease to a positive probabi ...200818668107
bovine tuberculosis in a badger (meles meles) in spain. 200818677001
control of bovine tuberculosis in british livestock: there is no 'silver bullet'.bovine tuberculosis (btb; mycobacterium bovis) is a bacterial infection of cattle that also affects certain wildlife species. culling badgers (meles meles), the principal wildlife host, results in perturbation of the badger population and an increased level of disease in cattle. therefore, the priority for future management must be to minimize the risk of disease transmission by finding new ways to reduce the contact rate among the host community. at the farm level, targeting those individuals t ...200818706814
assessment of different formulations of oral mycobacterium bovis bacille calmette-guérin (bcg) vaccine in rodent models for immunogenicity and protection against aerosol challenge with m. bovis.bovine tuberculosis (btb) caused by infection with mycobacterium bovis is causing considerable economic loss to farmers and government in the united kingdom as its incidence is increasing. efforts to control btb in the uk are hampered by the infection in eurasian badgers (meles meles) that represent a wildlife reservoir and source of recurrent m. bovis exposure to cattle. vaccination of badgers with the human tb vaccine, m. bovis bacille calmette-guérin (bcg), in oral bait represents a possible ...200818789366
cloning, expression and immunoassay detection of ferret ifn-gamma.ferrets (mustela putorius furo) develop symptoms upon influenza infection that resemble those of humans, including sneezing, body temperature variation and weight loss. highly pathogenic strains of influenza a, such as h5n1, have the capacity to cause severe illness or death in ferrets. the use of ferrets as a model of influenza infection is currently limited by a lack of species-specific immunological reagents. interferon gamma (ifn-gamma) plays a key role in the development of innate and adapt ...200818262264
mycobacterium bovis in wildlife in france.in early 2001, tuberculosis-like lesions were detected in three hunter-killed red deer (cervus elaphus) in the brotonne forest (normandy, france), and mycobacterium bovis was isolated. in subsequent hunting seasons, two surveys were conducted in the area. in the first survey (2001-02 hunting season), nine (13%) of 72 red deer sampled were positive for m. bovis. in the 2005-06 hunting season, the prevalence of m. bovis infection increased to 24% (chi2=3.85, df=1, p=0.05; 33 positive among 138 sam ...200818263825
validation of the brocktb stat-pak assay for detection of tuberculosis in eurasian badgers (meles meles) and influence of disease severity on diagnostic accuracy.a lateral-flow immunoassay (brocktb stat-pak) for detecting tuberculosis in eurasian badgers was 49% sensitive and 93% specific against culture for m. bovis (n = 1,464) at necropsy. however, the sensitivity was significantly higher (66 to 78%) in animals with more severe tuberculosis, indicating that the brocktb stat-pak may be useful for the detection of badgers with the greatest risk of transmitting disease.200818272706
reproductive skew and relatedness in social groups of european badgers, meles meles.reproductive skew is a measure of the proportion of individuals of each sex that breed in a group and is a valuable measure for understanding the evolution and maintenance of sociality. here, we provide the first quantification of reproductive skew within social groups of european badgers meles meles, throughout an 18-year study in a high-density population. we used 22 microsatellite loci to analyse within-group relatedness and demonstrated that badger groups contained relatives. the average wit ...200818371017
experimental tuberculosis in the european badger (meles meles) after endobronchial inoculation with mycobacterium bovis: ii. progression of infection.the aim of the study was to describe, over a period of 24 weeks, the pathological and bacteriological changes in badgers experimentally infected with mycobacterium bovis. the badgers were infected by endobronchial instillation of 2.5 x10(4) colony forming units (cfu) m. bovis. after infection, the badgers were examined at 3 weekly intervals when blood and tracheal aspirates were collected. at 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks post-infection (pi) three animals were euthanized and a detailed pathological and ...200818433810
levels of heavy metals and metalloids in critically endangered iberian lynx and other wild carnivores from southern spain.the iberian lynx (lynx pardinus) is the most endangered felid in the world with a wild population which probably stands at less than 200 individuals inhabiting two areas in southern spain (doñana and sierra morena) that are known to have been contaminated by heavy metals and metalloids due to a long history of mining activities. this contamination may pose a threat to long term conservation efforts and hence, the concentrations of seven elements (as, se, cd, zn, cu, pb, hg) were determined in th ...200818455757
vaccination of european badgers (meles meles) with bcg by the subcutaneous and mucosal routes induces protective immunity against endobronchial challenge with mycobacterium bovis.mycobacterium bovis is endemic in badger (meles meles) populations of ireland and the united kingdom and infected badgers are a potential source of infection for cattle. in domestic livestock tuberculosis causes economic losses from lost production and the costs associated with eradication programmes, and in addition there is a risk of zoonotic infection. whereas culling is currently used to control tuberculous badger populations in ireland, vaccination, if it were available, would be preferred. ...200818468490
the effects of annual widespread badger culls on cattle tuberculosis following the cessation of culling.the effective control of human and livestock diseases is challenging where infection persists in wildlife populations. the randomised badger culling trial (rbct) demonstrated that, while it was underway, proactive badger (meles meles) culling reduced bovine tuberculosis (tb) incidence inside culled areas but increased incidence in neighboring areas, suggesting that the costs of such culling might outweigh the benefits.200818502675
oral vaccination of guinea pigs with a mycobacterium bovis bacillus calmette-guerin vaccine in a lipid matrix protects against aerosol infection with virulent m. bovis.increased incidence of bovine tuberculosis (tb) in the united kingdom caused by infection with mycobacterium bovis is a cause of considerable economic loss to farmers and the government. the eurasian badger (meles meles) represents a wildlife source of recurrent m. bovis infections of cattle in the united kingdom, and its vaccination against tb with m. bovis bacillus calmette-guérin (bcg) is an attractive disease control option. delivery of bcg in oral bait holds the best prospect for vaccinatin ...200818519560
are motorway wildlife passages worth building? vertebrate use of road-crossing structures on a spanish motorway.numerous road and railway construction projects include costly mitigation measures to offset the barrier effect produced on local fauna, despite the scarcity of data on the effectiveness of such mitigation measures. in this study, we evaluate the utility of different types of crossing structures. vertebrate use of 43 transverse crossing structures along the a-52 motorway (north-western spain) was studied during spring 2001. research centered on wildlife passages (9), wildlife-adapted box culvert ...200817467145
antigen specific immunological responses of badgers (meles meles) experimentally infected with mycobacterium bovis.european badgers (meles meles) are considered to be an important reservoir of infection for mycobacterium bovis and are implicated in the transmission of tuberculosis to cattle in ireland and great britain. accurate tests are required for tuberculosis surveillance in badger populations and to provide a basis for the development of strategies, including vaccination, to reduce the incidence of the infection. in this study, we have developed an endobronchial m. bovis infection model in badgers in w ...200818082897
development and evaluation of a gamma-interferon assay for tuberculosis in badgers (meles meles).in this paper we report the development of a sensitive and specific assay for the detection of tuberculosis (tb) in european badgers (meles meles), based on the stimulation of lymphocytes in whole-blood culture and the subsequent detection of gamma-interferon (ifngamma) by sandwich elisa. the comparative levels of ifngamma produced to bovine and avian tuberculin (b-a) was used as the basis of determining the tb status of badgers, resulting in a more sensitive test than that based on the defined ...200818083067
low genetic variability, female-biased dispersal and high movement rates in an urban population of eurasian badgers meles meles.1. urban and rural populations of animals can differ in their behaviour, both in order to meet their ecological requirements and due to the constraints imposed by different environments. the study of urban populations can therefore offer useful insights into the behavioural flexibility of a species as a whole, as well as indicating how the species in question adapts to a specifically urban environment. 2. the genetic structure of a population can provide information about social structure and mo ...200818924251
haematological and biochemical measurements in a population of wild eurasian badgers (meles meles).blood samples were collected from a high density population of wild badgers in woodchester park, gloucestershire, england, where animals were routinely captured and examined as part of a long-term ecological study, and a selection of haematological and biochemical variables were measured. the badger cubs had lower red blood cell counts and haemoglobin concentrations than the adults, consistent with physiological anaemia, and lower serum protein concentrations. growth of muscle and active bone fo ...200818441351
experimental evidence of competitive release in sympatric carnivores.changes in the relative abundance of sympatric carnivores can have far-reaching ecological consequences, including the precipitation of trophic cascades and species declines. while such observations are compelling, experimental evaluations of interactions among carnivores remain scarce and are both logistically and ethically challenging. carnivores are nonetheless a particular focus of management practices owing to their roles as predators of livestock and as vectors and reservoirs of zoonotic d ...200818089523
high incidence of nonslippage mechanisms generating variability and complexity in eurasian badger microsatellites.the use of microsatellites in population genetics is hindered by a lack of understanding of the pattern and origin of mutations, the need to develop more specific and better computational models, and a paucity of information about specific taxa and loci. we analyzed between 4 and 10 allele sequences from 10 different microsatellites in eurasian badgers in order to determine the compliance of the sequences with stepwise mutation models and the origin of that variability which cannot be detected t ...200817728273
evaluation of the anaesthetic effects of combinations of ketamine, medetomidine, romifidine and butorphanol in european badgers (meles meles).to evaluate the effects of three anaesthetic combinations in adult european badgers (meles meles).200717565574
polygynandry, extra-group paternity and multiple-paternity litters in european badger (meles meles) social groups.the costs and benefits of natal philopatry are central to the formation and maintenance of social groups. badger groups, thought to form passively according to the resource dispersion hypothesis (rdh), are maintained through natal philopatry and delayed dispersal; however, there is minimal evidence for the functional benefits of such grouping. we assigned parentage to 630 badger cubs from a high-density population in wytham woods, oxford, born between 1988 and 2005. our methodological approach w ...200717971085
use of multiple den sites by eurasian badgers, meles meles, in a mediterranean habitat.den sites are a conspicuous feature of eurasian badgers, meles meles, and in many environments include large communal burrows used by several group members. in serra de grândola, southwest portugal, nine badgers from three social groups were captured and radio collared from 2000 to 2004. a total of 1,787 locations of badgers in their resting sites were registered along with a brief description of the type of site and weather conditions. resting sites were grouped according to structure (burrows, ...200718088174
experimental tuberculosis in the european badger (meles meles) after endobronchial inoculation of mycobacterium bovis: i. pathology and bacteriology.the aim was to develop an endobronchial infection procedure for the study of mycobacterium bovis infection in badgers. the badgers were anaesthetised and a cannula was passed per os to the tracheal bifurcation. when in place 1 ml of m. bovis suspension was inoculated. three concentrations of m. bovis suspension were used; <10 colony forming units (cfu), approximately 10(2) cfu and approximately 3 x 10(3) cfu. the badgers were examined at three weekly intervals for clinical signs of disease and a ...200717197004
social organization and movement influence the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in an undisturbed high-density badger meles meles population.1. the culling of european badgers meles meles has been a central part of attempts to control bovine tuberculosis (tb) in british cattle for many years. recent results, however, indicate that this approach could in practice enhance disease spread. 2. this paper looks at the relationship between tb incidence and badger ecology in a high-density population in south-west england, which has been the subject of a long-term intensive study. the principal aims were to relate the probability of tb incid ...200717302842
epidemiology, histopathology, and muscle distribution of trichinella t9 in feral raccoons (procyon lotor) and wildlife of japan.the prevalences of trichinella t9 in trapped raccoons (procyon lotor) and several other potential mammalian reservoirs in hokkaido, wakayama, and nagasaki prefectures were investigated. muscle samples were collected from 2003 to 2006 from 1,080 raccoons, 113 raccoon dogs including 2 species (nyctereutes procyonoides albus and n. p. viverrinus), 41 wild boars (sus scrofa leucomystax), 14 martens (martes melampus), 10 badgers (meles meles), 5 siberian weasels (martes sibirica coreana), 7 mink (mus ...200717310398
impact of a changed inundation regime caused by climate change and floodplain rehabilitation on population viability of earthworms in a lower river rhine floodplain.river floodplains are dynamic and fertile ecosystems where soil invertebrates such as earthworms can reach high population densities. earthworms are an important food source for a wide range of organisms including species under conservation such as badgers. flooding, however, reduces earthworm numbers. populations recover from cocoons that survive floods. if the period between two floods is too short such that cocoons cannot develop into reproductive adults, populations cannot sustain themselves ...200717140641
evidence of canine distemper and suggestion of preceding parvovirus-myocarditis in a eurasian badger (meles meles).an approximately 1.5-yr-old free-ranging male eurasian badger (meles meles) from the eastern part of austria had macroscopic and microscopic lesions consistent with canine distemper virus infection, including nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis, interstitial pneumonia with accumulation of macrophages in alveoli that contained intranuclear inclusion bodies, vesicular exanthema of the ventral abdomen, and atrophy of lymphoid tissues. canine distemper virus-antigen was demonstrable in a variety of o ...200717469291
development and evaluation of a test for tuberculosis in live european badgers (meles meles) based on measurement of gamma interferon mrna by real-time pcr.a real-time pcr assay for the measurement of gamma interferon (ifn-gamma) mrna in european badger (meles meles) blood cultures was developed. the levels of ifn-gamma mrna in blood cultures stimulated with either bovine or avian tuberculin or specific mycobacterial antigens were compared with those in a nonstimulated control blood culture as the basis for determining the tuberculosis (tb) status of live badgers. the assay was validated by testing 247 animals for which there were matching data fro ...200717537931
seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild carnivores from spain.serum samples from 282 wild carnivores from different regions of spain were tested for antibodies to toxoplasma gondii by the modified agglutination test using a cut-off value of 1:25. antibodies to t. gondii were found in 22 of 27 (81.5%) of iberian lynx (lynx pardinus), 3 of 6 european wildcats (felis silvestris), 66 of 102 (64.7%) red foxes (vulpes vulpes), 15 of 32 (46.9%) wolves (canis lupus), 26 of 37 (70.3%) eurasian badgers (meles meles), 17 of 20 (85.0%) stone martens (martes foina), 4 ...200717689869
culling-induced social perturbation in eurasian badgers meles meles and the management of tb in cattle: an analysis of a critical problem in applied ecology.the eurasian badger (meles meles) is implicated in the transmission of bovine tuberculosis (tb) to cattle in the uk and republic of ireland. badger culling has been employed for the control of tb in cattle in both countries, with varying results. social perturbation of badger populations following culling has been proposed as an explanation for the failure of culling to consistently demonstrate significant reductions in cattle tb. field studies indicate that culling badgers may result in increas ...200717725974
outbreak of mycobacterium bovis infection in a wild animal park.an outbreak of tuberculosis due to mycobacterium bovis occurred in a wild animal park. three pot-bellied pigs (sus scrofa vittatus), one red deer (cervus elaphus), one buffalo (bison bonasus) and two european lynxes (lynx lynx) were affected and showed clinical signs including weight loss, enlarged lymph nodes and paralysis of the hindlimbs. postmortem examinations revealed multifocal granulomatous lesions in various organs, including the lymph nodes, lungs, intestines, kidneys and the central n ...200717766809
ectoparasites of the endangered iberian lynx lynx pardinus and sympatric wild and domestic carnivores in spain.ectoparasites can cause important skin disorders in animals and can also transmit pathogens. the iberian lynx lynx pardinus has been stated to be the most endangered felid in the world and such vector-borne pathogens may threaten its survival. we surveyed 98 wild carnivores (26 iberian lynxes, 34 red foxes vulpes vulpes, 24 egyptian mongooses herpestes ichneumon, 11 common genets genetta genetta, two eurasian badgers meles meles, one polecat mustela putorius) and 75 domestic but free-ranging car ...200717897365
genetic evidence that culling increases badger movement: implications for the spread of bovine tuberculosis.the eurasian badger (meles meles) has been implicated in the transmission of bovine tuberculosis (tb, caused by mycobacterium bovis) to cattle. however, evidence suggests that attempts to reduce the spread of tb among cattle in britain by culling badgers have mixed effects. a large-scale field experiment (the randomized badger culling trial, rbct) showed that widespread proactive badger culling reduced the incidence of tb in cattle within culled areas but that tb incidence increased in adjoining ...200717944854
winter hibernation and body temperature fluctuation in the japanese badger, meles meles anakuma.this study examined seasonal changes in body weight, hibernation period, and body temperature of the japanese badger (meles meles anakuma) from 1997 to 2001. adult badgers showed seasonal changes in body weight. between mid-december and february, badger activity almost ceased, as the animals remained in their setts most of the time. adult male badgers were solitary hibernators; adult females hibernated either alone or with their cubs and/or yearlings. the total hibernation period of japanese bad ...200617189911
the role of wild animal populations in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in domestic animals: how to assess the risk.tuberculosis is present in wild animal populations in north america, europe, africa and new zealand. some wild animal populations are a source of infection for domestic livestock and humans. an understanding of the potential of each wild animal population as a reservoir of infection for domestic animals is reached by determining the nature of the disease in each wild animal species, the routes of infection for domestic species and the risk of domestic animals encountering an infectious dose. the ...200616326039
the northern ireland programme for the control and eradication of mycobacterium bovis.bovine tuberculosis is endemic in northern ireland and a comprehensive eradication scheme has been in operation since 1959. the current programme involves annual testing, extensive computerized tracing, short-interval testing of herds contiguous to outbreaks and compulsory slaughter of positive cattle. despite initial reductions in disease prevalence, eradication has proved elusive and potential explanatory factors include high cattle density and potential for between-herd contact, the impact of ...200616326042
positive and negative effects of widespread badger culling on tuberculosis in cattle.human and livestock diseases can be difficult to control where infection persists in wildlife populations. for three decades, european badgers (meles meles) have been culled by the british government in a series of attempts to limit the spread of mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (tb), to cattle. despite these efforts, the incidence of tb in cattle has risen consistently, re-emerging as a primary concern for britain's cattle industry. recently, badger culling has at ...200616357869
geographic variation in body size: the effects of ambient temperature and precipitation.latitudinal trends in body size have been explained as a response to temperature- or water-related factors, which are predictors of primary production. we used the first principal component calculated from three body parameters (weight, body length and the greatest length of the skull) of a sample of mammals from israel and sinai to determine those species that vary in size geographically, and whether such variation is related to annual rainfall, average minimum january temperature and average m ...200616525785
bovine tuberculosis (mycobacterium bovis) in british farmland wildlife: the importance to agriculture.bovine tuberculosis (btb) is an important disease of cattle and an emerging infectious disease of humans. cow- and badger-based control strategies have failed to eradicate btb from the british cattle herd, and the incidence is rising by about 18%per year. the annual cost to taxpayers in britain is currently 74 million uk pounds. research has focused on the badger as a potential btb reservoir, with little attention being paid to other mammals common on farmland. we have conducted a systematic sur ...200616543179
the safety and immunogenicity of bacillus calmette-guérin (bcg) vaccine in european badgers (meles meles).european badgers (meles meles) are a wildlife reservoir for mycobacterium bovis (m. bovis) in great britain (gb) and the republic of ireland and therefore constitute a potential source of infection for cattle. reduction of badger densities in the republic of ireland has resulted in an associated reduction in the risk of a herd break-down with bovine tuberculosis and a study to determine whether this is also the case in gb has been running since 1997. if badgers are a significant source of m. bov ...200616687176
antibodies to toxoplasma gondii in eurasian badgers.antibodies to toxoplasma gondii were detected in samples collected from 90 live-trapped adult eurasian badgers (meles meles) sampled at three sites (two agricultural and one woodland) in southern england. serum was tested using a qualitative latex agglutination test procedure and 63 of 90 (70%) badgers tested positive for t. gondii antibodies. antibody prevalence varied between the sites; 67% and 77% of badgers from agricultural sites and 39% from a nonagricultural site tested positive.200616699163
arthroderma olidum, sp. nov. a new addition to the trichophyton terrestre complex.in 1981, four fungal isolates from hair of the european badger (meles meles) were examined by dr phyllis stockdale at the commonwealth mycological institute, kew, and deposited in the uk national collection of pathogenic fungi as an undescribed member of the trichophyton terrestre complex. the present paper formalizes the complete description of a new ascomycete taxon, arthroderma olidum following successful recent attempts to re-isolate the same fungus from the soil of badger holes in south wes ...200616882612
the first report of aelurostrongylus falciformis in norwegian badgers (meles meles).the first report of aelurostrongylus falciformis (schlegel 1933) in fennoscandian badgers is described. routine parasitological examination of nine norwegian badgers, at the national veterinary institute during 2004 and 2005, identified a. falciformis in the terminal airways of five of the animals. the first stage larvae (l1) closely resembled, in size and morphology, those of angiostrongylus vasorum (baillet 1866). the diagnosis for both a. falciformis and a. vasorum is frequently based on the ...200616987402
culling and cattle controls influence tuberculosis risk for badgers.human and livestock diseases can be difficult to control where infection persists in wildlife populations. in britain, european badgers (meles meles) are implicated in transmitting mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (tb), to cattle. badger culling has therefore been a component of british tb control policy for many years. however, large-scale field trials have recently shown that badger culling has the capacity to cause both increases and decreases in cattle tb incid ...200617015843
antibodies to mycobacterium bovis in wild carnivores from doñana national park (spain).we conducted a retrospective serologic survey for antibodies against the mpb70 protein of mycobacterium bovis in wild carnivores from doñana national park (southwestern spain). serum samples from 118 red foxes (vulpes vulpes), 39 iberian lynx (lynx pardinus), 31 eurasian badgers (meles meles), five egyptian mongoose (herpestes ichneumon), four european genet (genetta genetta), and one eurasian otter (lutra lutra) were analyzed using an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay. antibodies a ...200617092907
mitochondrial dna reveals a strong phylogeographic structure in the badger across eurasia.the badger, meles meles, is a widely distributed mustelid in eurasia and shows large geographic variability in morphological characters whose evolutionary significance is unclear and needs to be contrasted with molecular data. we sequenced 512 bp of the mitochondrial dna control region in 115 eurasian badgers from 21 countries in order to test for the existence of structuring in their phylogeography, to describe the genetic relationships among their populations across its widespread geographic r ...200616599963
long-lasting systemic bait markers for eurasian badgers.this study was carried out to assess whether rhodamine b, ethyl-iophenoxic acid (etipa), and propyl-iophenoxic acid (pripa) can be used as long-lasting systemic bait markers for free-living badgers (meles meles). between june and november 2003, these chemicals were incorporated into bait distributed around badger setts. serum, hair, and whiskers from individually marked badgers were collected in the following 4 to 24 wk. rhodamine b was detectable as fluorescent bands up to 24 wk after ingestion ...200617255463
female receptivity, embryonic diapause, and superfetation in the european badger (meles meles): implications for the reproductive tactics of males and females.the european badger meles meles is thought to mate throughout the year with two mating peaks occurring in late winter/spring and summer/autumn. after mating, fertilized ova enter embryonic diapause (delayed implantation) at the blastocyst stage, which lasts up to eleven months. even if mating is successful, however, the estrous cycle may continue during embryonic diapause, which suggests that female badgers are capable of superfetation (conception during pregnancy). this may increase female fitn ...200616602273
isolation by distance and gene flow in the eurasian badger (meles meles) at both a local and broad scale.eurasian badgers, meles meles, have been shown to possess limited genetic population structure within europe; however, field studies have detected high levels of philopatry, which are expected to increase population structure. population structure will be a consequence of both contemporary dispersal and historical processes, each of which is expected to be evident at a different scale. therefore, to gain a greater understanding of gene flow in the badger, we examined microsatellite diversity bot ...200616448407
what do european badgers (meles meles) know about the spatial organisation of neighbouring groups?european badgers (meles meles) live in groups. although they can distinguish between a member of their own group, a member of a neighbouring group and a stranger, their ability to understand that neighbouring individuals belong to different groups inhabiting different places, and possibly to build up some representation of the spatial organisation of neighbouring groups remains to be shown. in this study, we conducted a pilot homing experiment to test such ability. radio-collared badgers were di ...200616443332
the use and assessment of ketamine-medetomidine-butorphanol combinations for field anaesthesia in wild european badgers (meles meles).to evaluate the effectiveness of four ketamine-based anaesthetics in badgers using a quantitative anaesthesia assessment technique.200516297047
high rectal temperature indicates an increased risk of unexpected recovery in anaesthetized badgers.to identify factors associated with sudden early recovery (ser) from anaesthesia in badgers (meles meles).200515663739
preliminary comparison of four anaesthetic techniques in badgers (meles meles).to investigate the use of four ketamine-based anaesthetic combinations in wild badgers.200515663738
mating system of the eurasian badger, meles meles, in a high density population.badgers are facultatively social, forming large groups at high density. group-living appears to have high reproductive costs for females, and may lead to increased levels of inbreeding. the extent of female competition for reproduction has been estimated from field data, but knowledge of male reproductive success and the extent of extra-group paternity remains limited. combining field data with genetic data (16 microsatellite loci), we studied the mating system of 10 badger social groups across ...200515643970
the impact of badger removal on the control of tuberculosis in cattle herds in ireland.in ireland, the herd prevalence of bovine tuberculosis has remained stable for several decades, and in common with several other countries, progress towards eradication has stalled. there is evidence in support of the potential role of infected badgers (meles meles, a protected species) in bovine tuberculosis in ireland and britain. however, this evidence on its own has not been sufficient to prove disease causation. field trials are likely to offer the best opportunity to define this role. buil ...200515748755
use of an electronic nose to diagnose mycobacterium bovis infection in badgers and cattle.it is estimated that more than 50 million cattle are infected with mycobacterium bovis worldwide, resulting in severe economic losses. current diagnosis of tuberculosis (tb) in cattle relies on tuberculin skin testing, and when combined with the slaughter of test-positive animals, it has significantly reduced the incidence of bovine tb. the failure to eradicate bovine tb in great britain has been attributed in part to a reservoir of the infection in badgers (meles meles). accurate and reliable d ...200515814995
new trends and clinical patterns of human trichinellosis in russia at the beginning of the xxi century.official national statistics show a gradual decline in the incidence of trichinellosis in russia from 971 cases in 1996 to 527 cases in 2002. of the total 864 cases involved in 47 trichinellosis outbreaks during 1998--2002, only 35.8% were due to infected pork compared to 80% in 1995--1996. other important sources were wild animals, such as bear (ursus arctos) (39.5%), badger (meles meles) (10.6%), and dog meat (11.9%). children composed 15.9% of all cases. overall, 81.0% of pork-cases occurred ...200516081220
bovine tuberculosis in a free ranging red fox (vulpes vulpes) from doñana national park (spain).during 1997 and 1998, a survey of iberian carnivores was conducted to study the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in the doñana national park and surrounding areas in southwestern spain. post-mortem examinations were done on seven red foxes (vulpes vulpes), two egyptian mongoose (herpestes ichneumon), one weasel (mustela nivalis), two genets (genetta genetta), one iberian lynx (lynx pardinus), one eurasian badger (meles meles), and two polecats (mustela putorius). lesions suggestive of bovine ...200516107680
red fox (vulpes vulpes) cannibalistic behaviour and the prevalence of trichinella britovi in nw italian alps.food habits of the red fox (vulpes vulpes) were studied in the aosta valley region (nw italian alps) and were related to the prevalence of trichinella infection in the red fox itself and in two mustelid species (the stone marten (martes foina) and the badger (meles meles)). the search of trichinella by the automatic digestion of muscles samples led us to determine a prevalence of 3.5+/-1.2% in red foxes, 7.9+/-4.3% in stone martens and 1.9+/-1.8% in badgers, with no significant differences among ...200516151732
phylogenetic inference and comparative evolution of a complex microsatellite and its flanking regions in carnivores.we sequenced locus mel 08, with complex short repetitive motifs, in 24 carnivore species belonging to five different families in order to explore mutational changes in the region in the context of locus and species evolution. this non-coding locus includes up to four different parts or repetitive motifs showing size variability. the variability consists of repeat additions and deletions; substitutions, insertions and/or deletions creating interruptions in the repeat; and substitutions, insertion ...200516174341
two new carnivores from an unusual late tertiary forest biota in eastern north america.late cenozoic terrestrial fossil records of north america are biased by a predominance of mid-latitude deposits, mostly in the western half of the continent. consequently, the biological history of eastern north america, including the eastern deciduous forest, remains largely hidden. unfortunately, vertebrate fossil sites from this vast region are rare, and few pertain to the critically important late tertiary period, during which intensified global climatic changes took place. moreover, strong ...200415457257
salmonella isolates from wild birds and mammals in the basque country (spain).the authors investigated the prevalence of salmonella spp. in 205 wild birds and mammals belonging to 45 species during the years 2001 and 2002 in the basque country (spain). salmonella was isolated from 16 (7.8%) animals. the prevalence was 8.5% (7/82) in birds, and 7.2% (9/123) in mammals. nine serotypes, all of them belonging to the species salmonella enterica, were identified: two isolates of typhimurium (from 1/3 griffon vultures [gyps fulvus], and 1/5 sparrowhawks [accipiter nisus]); one o ...200415861885
cranial variation in british mustelids.nineteen measurements were made on 136 skulls belonging to seven mustelid species: meles meles (eurasian badger), mustela nivalis, (weasel), mustela erminea (stoat), mustela putorius (polecat), lutra lutra (otter), mustela furo (ferret), and mustela vison (american mink), and polecat-ferret hybrids. to investigate shape, size-related effects were eliminated by dividing all measurements by their geometric means. canonical variate analysis was used to reveal major interspecies distinctions. exclud ...200415052596
distemper virus as a cause of central nervous disease and death in badgers (meles meles) in denmark.during the summer of 2002 a distemper-like disease was observed in the free-ranging badger population in denmark. it was characterised by grand seizures, abnormal behaviour and death; the badgers all had severe chronic pneumonia and some had non-suppurative encephalomyelitis. in this study, eight of the affected badgers were examined by gross pathological, histological, immunohistological, bacteriological, parasitological and virological methods, and were diagnosed with distemper; canine distemp ...200415134165
detection of mustelid herpesvirus-1 infected european badgers (meles meles) in the british isles.the aim of this study was to assess the frequency of mustelid herpesvirus-1 (mushv-1) infection in free-ranging badgers (meles meles) in the british isles. a polymerase chain reaction assay was developed that detected mushv-1 dna in 95% (18/19) and 100% (10/10) of anticoagulant-treated blood samples collected from free-ranging badgers sampled in the southwest of england and the republic of ireland, respectively. an indirect immunoassay was also developed to detect mushv-1-specific immunoglobulin ...200415137494
mediastinal lymphoma in a badger (meles meles).a case of mediastinal lymphoma in a free-living, adult male european badger (meles meles), from trento province (northern italy) is described. a yellow-red mass delimited by a thick fibrous capsule completely occupied the anterior mediastinum. based on the histologic and immunohistochemical findings, a diagnosis of mediastinal lymphocytic lymphoma was made. documentation of neoplasms in free-living species is important for comparison with domestic animals and humans and may give insight into epi ...200415137500
cloning and sequencing of badger (meles meles) interferon gamma and its detection in badger lymphocytes.the european badger (meles meles) has been identified as a reservoir for mycobacterium bovis and is implicated in the maintenance and transmission of tuberculosis in cattle. there is a need for a sensitive test of m. bovis infection in badgers and the current serodiagnostic test used for this purpose has low sensitivity. as observed for other species, assay of interferon-gamma (ifngamma) produced in response to m. bovis antigens is a more sensitive test of tuberculosis. with this objective in si ...200415261690
first report of cheyletiella parasitovorax infestation in the eurasian badger (meles meles). 200415357381
experimental comparison of ketamine with a combination of ketamine, butorphanol and medetomidine for general anaesthesia of the eurasian badger (meles meles l.).the refinement of anaesthetic regimes is central to improving the welfare of captured wildlife. the eurasian badger (meles meles) has been the subject of an intensive long-term ecological and epidemiological study at woodchester park, gloucestershire, england. during routine trapping operations (june 21st, 2000-january 23rd, 2001) an experimental trial was conducted on 89 badgers to compare the physiological effects of anaesthesia using ketamine hydrochloride alone, and in conjunction with medet ...200414975394
leukocyte coping capacity: a novel technique for measuring the stress response in vertebrates.methods used to quantify the stress response in animals are vital tools in many areas of biology. here we describe a new method of measuring the stress response, which provides rapid results and can be used in the field or laboratory. after a stressful event, we measure the capacity of circulating leukocytes to produce a respiratory burst in vitro in response to challenge by phorbol myristate acetate (pma). during the respiratory burst leukocytes produce oxygen free radicals, and the level of pr ...200312861342
the immobilization of the badger (meles meles). 2003990891
confirmation of low genetic diversity and multiple breeding females in a social group of eurasian badgers from microsatellite and field data.the eurasian badger (meles meles) is a facultatively social carnivore that shows only rudimentary co-operative behaviour and a poorly defined social hierarchy. behavioural evidence and limited genetic data have suggested that more than one female may breed in a social group. we combine pregnancy detection by ultrasound and microsatellite locus scores from a well-studied badger population from wytham woods, oxfordshire, uk, to demonstrate that multiple females reproduce within a social group. we ...200312535103
tuberculosis and badgers: new approaches to diagnosis and control.the eurasian badger (meles meles) is considered to be an important wildlife reservoir of mycobacterium bovis infection for cattle in ireland and in great britain. the inability to eradicate the disease from cattle is, in part, a consequence of m. bovis infection in badgers sharing the environment with cattle. whereas national tuberculosis eradication programmes continue to be effective in maintaining the disease prevalence in cattle at a low level, strategies to control and eradicate tuberculosi ...200312675939
reliable microsatellite genotyping of the eurasian badger (meles meles) using faecal dna.the potential link between badgers and bovine tuberculosis has made it vital to develop accurate techniques to census badgers. here we investigate the potential of using genetic profiles obtained from faecal dna as a basis for population size estimation. after trialling several methods we obtained a high amplification success rate (89%) by storing faeces in 70% ethanol and using the guanidine thiocyanate/silica method for extraction. using 70% ethanol as a storage agent had the advantage of it b ...200312755892
vaccinating badgers (meles meles) against mycobacterium bovis: the ecological considerations.bovine tuberculosis (tb) is a serious zoonotic disease, which despite a largely successful test and slaughter programme has persisted in cattle herds in parts of the uk. the badger (meles meles) is widely considered to represent a significant wildlife reservoir for the transmission of mycobacterium bovis to cattle, and has been the subject of a variety of culling strategies since the mid 1970s. nevertheless, the incidence of herd breakdowns has continued to rise, and the efficacy of culling is c ...200312788016
improved serodetection of mycobacterium bovis infection in badgers (meles meles) using multiantigen test formats.despite attempts to control bovine tuberculosis, the incidence of disease in great britain continues to rise. in gb, the european badger (meles meles) is a reservoir of infection with mycobacterium bovis. in an effort to improve the serodetection of badger tuberculosis, we examined sera from m. bovis culture-positive and culture-negative badgers for their ability to recognize m. bovis antigens, using a multi-antigen print immunoassay (mapia). depending on the antigens used in the mapia, the assa ...200312867095
impact of localized badger culling on tuberculosis incidence in british cattle.pathogens that are transmitted between wildlife, livestock and humans present major challenges for the protection of human and animal health, the economic sustainability of agriculture, and the conservation of wildlife. mycobacterium bovis, the aetiological agent of bovine tuberculosis (tb), is one such pathogen. the incidence of tb in cattle has increased substantially in parts of great britain in the past two decades, adversely affecting the livelihoods of cattle farmers and potentially increa ...200314634671
excretion of vancomycin-resistant enterococci by wild mammals.a survey of fecal samples found enterococcal excretion in 82% of 388 bank voles (clethrionomys glareolus), 92% of 131 woodmice (apodemus sylvaticus), and 75% of 165 badgers (meles meles). vancomycin-resistant enterococci, all enterococcus faecium of vana genotype, were excreted by 4.6% of the woodmice and 1.2% of the badgers, but by none of the bank voles.200212023924
partial characterization of a novel gammaherpesvirus isolated from a european badger (meles meles).a herpesvirus causing a cytopathic effect was isolated from pulmonary fibroblast cultures established from a european badger (meles meles). a study was undertaken to classify and to assess some in-vitro growth characteristics of this virus. from a panel of 27 mammalian cell lines, in-vitro replication of the badger herpesvirus (badhv) was only demonstrated with a mink lung cell line, suggesting a high degree of host specificity. using pcr with degenerate primers, three independent fragments of t ...200212029147
sulfadimethoxine and rhodamine b as oral biomarkers for european badgers (meles meles).a field study was carried out on little island (county waterford, ireland) in june 2000 to evaluate the potential of a bait-marking system for use in european badgers (meles meles). two oral biomarkers, sulfadimethoxine (sdm) and rhodamine b, were incorporated into fishmeal baits and distributed by hand at main sets in five test territories for 3 consecutive days. in parallel, non-biomarked baits were distributed at a single control territory. the objectives of the study were to: (1) assess the ...200212038137
detection of mycobacterium bovis infection and production of interleukin-2 by in vitro stimulation of badger lymphocytes.the eurasian badger (meles meles) is considered to be an important wildlife reservoir for mycobacterium bovis infection of cattle in ireland and in gb. however, rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis in live badgers has been constrained through a lack of suitable immuno-diagnostic reagents for detection of m. bovis-infected animals. to date, there have been no reports of cytokine activity in badgers that might be associated with specific immune responses to m. bovis infection. in this study, nine badge ...200212052344
associations between trichinella species and host species in finland.examination of 627 wild animals--raccoon dogs (nyctereutes procyonoides), red foxes (vulpes vulpes), european lynxes (lynx lynx), brown bears (ursus arctos), wolves (canis lupus), and badgers (meles meles)--revealed trichinella spp. the prevalence varied according to geographical region of finland (north; southwest, sw; and southeast, se) and was the highest among lynxes (70%, sw). the risk of trichinellosis was higher in the se (odds ratio, or, 19.4) and sw regions (or 14.3), as compared with t ...200212053985
immunohistochemical characterization of tuberculous and non-tuberculous lesionsin naturally infected european badgers (meles meles).a panel of species cross-reactive antibodies was established for the immunohistochemical labelling of phagocytic and lymphoid cells in formalin-fixed normal badger tissues. these reagents were used to investigate the immunopathogenesis of both tuberculous and non-tuberculous granulomas in badgers. in normal badger tissues, antisera specific for the cd79a and cd79b epitopes strongly labelled follicular b lymphocytes and plasma cells in lymph nodes, bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue and peyer's ...200212056773
the genome phylogeny of domestic cat, red panda and five mustelid species revealed by comparative chromosome painting and g-banding.genome-wide homology maps among stone marten (martes foina, 2n = 38), domestic cat (felis catus, 2n = 38), american mink (mustela vison, 2n = 30), yellow-throated marten (martes flavigula, 2n = 40), old world badger (meles meles, 2n = 44), ferret badger (melogale moschata, 2n = 38) and red panda (ailurus fulgens, 2n = 36) have been established by cross-species chromosome painting with a complete set of stone marten probes. in total, 18 stone marten autosomal probes reveal 20, 19, 21, 18 and 21 p ...200212067210
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