Progress 03/01/99 to 02/28/05
Outputs
The WSVL investigated, characterized and reported on multiple spontaneous diseases in food animals and wildlife. A noteworthy study was intoxication due to Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa of approximately 600 elk in SE WY in 2004. A series of experimental studies of MCF in bison, cattle and sheep were completed with colleagues in the Animal Disease Research Unit in Pullman WA. A large scale study was performed to identify the best method to identify cattle persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus.
Impacts
1. A new cause of massive mortality among free-ranging elk, due to native lichen, was defined. 2. Malignant catarrhal fever was successfully reproduced by the natural route in bison, cattle and sheep. 3. Another episode of extensive muscle injury in cattle due to USDA-licensed vaccines was reported. 4. A study was published that defined the best laboratory method for distinguishing cattle that were acutely versus persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus.
Publications
- Cook, W.E., et al. 2006. Poisonous Plants and Natural Toxins, CAB Int'l. In press.
- Cook, W.E. et al. 2006. J Wildl Dis. In press.
- Cornish, T.E. et al. 2005. J Vet Diagn Invest. 17(2):110-117
- Li, H. et al. 2000. Vet Microbiol. 71(1-2):27-35.
- O'Toole, D. et al. 2002. J Vet Diagn Invest 14(3):183-193
- Simon, S. et al. 2003. J Gen Virol. 2003 84:2009-2013
- O'Toole. D., Li, H. 2006. USDA Foreign Animal Diseases - 2005.
- Li, H. et al. 2005. J Vet Diagn Invest. 17: 171 - 175, 2005
- Taus, N.S. et al. 2005. Vet Microbiol. In press.
- O'Toole, D. et al. 2005. J Vet Diagn Invest 17: 21 - 29
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Progress 03/01/99 to 02/29/04
Outputs
Sage grouse are a species of concern in the western United States. Numbers declined precipitously in the last 50 years due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and alteration. In late 2003, the process to list greater sage grouse as an endangered species was initiated. In the same year, throughout Wyoming and Montana, populations of wild sage grouse being monitored for research projects began dying at an alarming rate. West Nile virus (WNV) was identified by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory as the cause of death. In one study area in north-central Wyoming, 13/15 adult female birds died of WNV infection. Similar losses were observed at other study sites, and in non-marked wild birds elsewhere in the state of Wyoming. Over 100 birds were tested for antibodies against WNV, including many birds from sites with known WNV mortality in sage grouse, and none demonstrated evidence of exposure to WNV. Preliminary assessment of these suggests that most (if not all) sage grouse
infected with WNV will die, and that birds do not survive infection and produce antibodies. Brucellosis is an endemic disease in free-ranging elk populations in western Wyoming. The incidence is especially high in concentrated elk populations on federal or state winter feed grounds. The identification in December 2003 of a large number of serologically-positive adult cattle in a Sublette County WY beef herd underscored the continuing threat that infected elk and bison pose to the Wyoming's brucellosis-free status, which was lost in February 2004. Of particular import was establishing whether cattle acquire infection from free-ranging elk. In cooperation with personnel from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, the National Animal Disease Center, the state veterinarian and the USDA AVIC, 31 reactor cattle were transferred to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory for necropsy, tissue collection and detailed bacteriological examination. The purpose of the collaborative study was
obtain bacterial isolates of Brucella abortus from the cattle, and to compare them to archived and current isolates obtained from elk on feed grounds adjacent to the affected ranch. Multi-locus analysis of variable number tandem repeats performed at NADC established that elk were the source of infection.
Impacts
In the next few years, additional research projects are planned to address WNV in sage grouse, including experimental inoculations of birds in captivity, to get a better idea of the outcome of infection, survivorship, and what role sage grouse may play in amplifying the disease in the field, and increased long term surveillance of sage grouse in the field to monitor the effects WNV (and other diseases) are having on population demographics.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Several disease entities were investigated and reported in 2002. Injection site reactions due to oil-based adjuvant: A herd of 469 near-term pregnant cows vaccinated with two products (ScourBos-4 and PiliShield +C, Grand Laboratories Inc) resulted in 7 vaccinated cattle that were either unable to get up or were profoundly lame, and 50% of cows with large swellings where each product was injected. Biopsies taken of large swellings from 6 affected cattle 14 days post-injection revealed extensive damage in injected muscles, and oil lakes consistent with adjuvant. Identical lesions were present in the cow that died. Bacteriological testing confirmed that the vaccines were uncontaminated by microorganisms. Endotoxin concentrations were 0.3 and 200,000,000 endotoxin units/ml in ScourBos-4 and PiliShield +C, respectively. The company's response was due to factors other than the vaccine. Experimental injection of the products used on the farm reproduced the lesions but not
the clinical syndrome of lameness. Novel bovine encephalopathy with morphological features of MSUD: A stabilized Gelbvieh-Red Angus herd in Nebraska had calves with a distinctive congenital neurological syndrome (3 cases 1998; 0 in 1999; 2 in 2000; 2 in 2001; 1 in 2002). Affected calves (5 heifers and 3 bulls) had clinical signs at birth (unable to stand; shook constantly when disturbed). Affected calves died. Examination of pedigrees of 8 affected calves indicated a high degree of inbreeding and, in most cases, a common ancestor on both sides of the pedigree. Morphologically the disease was indistinguishable from bovine maple syrup urine disease (MSUD; neuraxial edema). DNA from one affected calf, 7 dams that gave birth to affected calves, and of a grand-dam of three affected calves, were negative for 1380C to T and 248C to T mutations. Amino acid analysis of blood from an affected calf revealed normal concentrations of branched-chair amino acids, precluding the possibility of this
disease being caused by a novel mutation in the branch-chain keto acid dehydrogenase complex. This disease is morphologically similar to MSUD but is clinically, genetically and biochemically distinct. Wasting-reproductive loss syndrome in adult rabbits: In 2001-2002, rabbit fanciers in Wyoming and Colorado recognized a reproductive loss-emaciation syndrome. Multiple breeds of rabbits, including dwarf and giant breeds, were affected. Clinical signs were progressive weight loss over 2-8 weeks, terminating in death. Properties also reported low fertility and small litters. Breeders claimed losses were due to hypovitaminosis A and a specific commercial-brand rabbit chow. The most consistent problem found in rabbits was renal amyloidosis-glomerulosclerosis with histological evidence of protein casts. Thrombosis/infarction was present in four of five rabbits. The wasting syndrome was due to secondary amyloidosis in the wake of multiple chronic infections (Pasteurella rhinitis-otitis media;
bacterial metritis; staphylococcal pododermatitis). There were no data to indicate the feed contributed to the problem.
Impacts
Information generated in these projects will aid wildlife managers, USDA regulators, and ranchers in their animal and disease management decisions. The risk of transmission of CWD to other, domestic species of food animals is of tremendous concern to producers, the livestock industry, and public health officials.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
A major focus of this research is the study of Emerging Infectious Diseases that are of common concern to both domestic and wild animals. This department is currently investigating whether chronic wasting disease (CWD) of deer and elk is naturally hazardous to cattle. Studies underway are lifetime projects involving both oral administration of CWD containing material to cattle as well as providing immediate casual contact between affected wildlife and cattle. Other research in this department involves survey of feral animals to determine whether vesicular stomatitis virus has a feral reservoir. Related research involves survey of pronghorns to determine whether disease exposure to common diseases has occurred. The department has been active in the new Wyoming scrapie eradication program in cooperation with both ARS and APHIS.
Impacts
Information generated in these projects will aid wildlife managers, USDA regulators, and ranchers in their animal and disease management decisions. The risk of transmission of CWD to other, domestic species of food animals is of tremendous concern to producers, the livestock industry, and public health officials.
Publications
- Raisbeck, M. F. , Siemion, R. S., Sanchez, D. A. and Smith, M. 2001. Lack of Clinical Effects in Cattle Grazing Elevated Molybdenum Pastures. Internatl Symp Poison Plants, Edinburgh, Scotland.
- Van Campen, H., Ridpath, J., Williams, E., Cavender, J., Edwards, J., Smith, S and Sawyer, H. H. 2001. Isolation of bovine viral diarrhea virus from a free-ranging mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 37(2): 306-311.
- Williams, E.S., and Miller, M.W. 2002. Chronic wasting disease in deer and elk in North America. Scientific and Technical Review International Office of Epizootics. 21: In press.
- Williams, E.S., Yuill, T., Artois, M., Fischer, J. and Haigh, S.A. 2002. Emerging infectious diseases in wildlife. Scientific and Technical Review International Office of Epizootics 21: In press.
- Hamir, A.N., Cutlip, R.C., Miller, J.M., Williams, E.S., Stack, M.J., Miller, M.W., O'Rourke, K.I., and Chaplin, M.J. 2001. Preliminary findings on the experimental transmission of chronic wasting disease agent of mule deer to cattle. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 13:91-96.
- Van Campen, H., Ridpath, J., Williams, E., Cavender, J., Edwards, J. Smith, S. and H. Sawyer. 2001. Isolation of bovine viral diarrhea virus from a free-ranging mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 37: 306-311.
- Raisbeck, M. F., Allen, J. G., Mitchell, A. and Colegate, S.M. 2001. Pathology and clinical signs of experimental Stemodia kingii intoxication in the mouse. Internatl Symp Poison Plants, Edinburgh, Scotland.
- Stewart, P. L., Colegate, S. M., Hooper, P.T. Lenghaus, Cor , Raisbeck, M. F. and Edgar, J.A. 2001. Effect of tunicamycin on GlcNAc-1-P transferase activity in rat tissues and toxic effects during pregnancy and lactation. Internatl Symp Poison Plants, Edinburgh, Scotland.
- Allen, J. G., Colegate, S. M. , Mitchell, A. A., Mulder, R. and Raisbeck, M. F. (authors alphabetical) 2001. The bioactivity-guided isolation and structural identification of two novel toxic steroidal glucosides, stemodiosides B3 and B4 from Stemodia kingii. Internatl Symp Poison Plants, Edinburgh, Scotland.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
A major focus of this research is the study of Emerging Infectious Diseases that are of common concern to both domestic and wild animals. This department is currently investigating whether chronic wasting disease (CWD) of deer and elk is naturally hazardous to cattle. Studies underway are lifetime projects involving both oral administration of CWD containing material to cattle as well as providing immediate casual contact between affected wildlife and cattle. Other research in this department involves survey of feral animals to determine whether vesicular stomatitis virus has a feral reservoir. Related research involves survey of pronghorns to determine whether disease exposure to common diseases has occurred.
Impacts
Information generated in these projects will aid wildlife managers, USDA regulators, and ranchers in their animal and disease management decisions. The risk of transmission of CWD to other, domestic species of food animals is of tremendous concern to producers, the livestock industry, and public health officials.
Publications
- Van Campen, H., Ridpath, J., Williams, E., Cavender, J., Edwards, J., Smith, S. and Sawyer, H.H. 2001. Isolation of bovine viral diarrhea virus from a free-ranging mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 37(2): 306-311.
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