LEPTOSPIRA, PARVOVIRUS, AND TOXOPLASMA IN THE NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER (LONTRA CANADENSIS) IN NORTH CAROLINA, USA
Charles W Sanders1, Colleen Olfenbuttel2, Krishna Pacifici1
1Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Biology Program, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, College of Natural Resources, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 8001, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA.
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|April 23, 2020
Summary
North American river otters in North Carolina show high rates of parvovirus and toxoplasmosis, but these diseases do not currently threaten the abundant population. Leptospirosis was detected at low levels in the studied otters.
Area of Science:
- Wildlife health
- Mammalian disease ecology
- Conservation medicine
Background:
- North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) are abundant in North Carolina following reintroduction efforts.
- Concerns exist regarding disease impacts on otter populations, including zoonotic diseases and those affecting domestic animals.
- Water quality may also influence otter health and susceptibility to pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of leptospirosis, parvovirus, and toxoplasmosis in North Carolina river otters.
- To determine if these common pathogens pose a current threat to the self-sustaining otter population.
Main Methods:
- Brain and kidney tissues from 220 harvested otters (2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons) were analyzed.
- Real-time PCR was used to detect Leptospira interrogans, parvovirus, and Toxoplasma gondii.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates were: 1% for Leptospira interrogans (3/220), 19% for parvovirus (41/220), and 24% for Toxoplasma gondii (53/220).
- Parvovirus and toxoplasmosis were relatively common in the sampled otter population.
- Leptospirosis was detected at a low prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Parvovirus and toxoplasmosis are widespread but do not currently appear to negatively impact the abundant and self-sustaining North Carolina river otter population.
- Further research is recommended to investigate transmission dynamics between domestic and wild species and sublethal infection effects.
