Non-specific markers of inflammation in bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) with sarcoptic mange

Vicky Wilkinson ¹, Shane A Richards ¹, Scott Carver ¹

⁰School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.

Frontiers in Veterinary Science +

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July 15, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Sarcoptic mange severely impacts bare-nosed wombats. This study links inflammation markers like haptoglobin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate to mange severity, aiding in disease assessment and management.

Area Of Science

Veterinary Immunology
Wildlife Health
Parasitology

Background

Sarcoptic mange (caused by *Sarcoptes scabiei*) significantly harms bare-nosed wombat (*Vombatus ursinus*) health and population dynamics.
Understanding the host immune response is crucial for effective disease management strategies, both in wild and captive populations.
Non-specific inflammation markers offer potential for assessing disease impact and guiding treatment decisions.

Purpose Of The Study

To evaluate the immune response of bare-nosed wombats to sarcoptic mange by validating inflammation assays.
To correlate non-specific inflammation markers with sarcoptic mange severity in free-living wombats.
To investigate the association between the acute phase response and systemic amyloidosis.

Main Methods

Validated haptoglobin, agarose gel electrophoresis, and micro-erythrocyte sedimentation rate assays using serum from 33 free-living Tasmanian wombats.
Analyzed correlations between inflammation marker results and sarcoptic mange scores.
Conducted histopathological examinations to assess systemic amyloidosis and acute phase response.

Main Results

Haptoglobin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels increased, while albumin decreased, in association with higher sarcoptic mange scores.
Specific acute phase proteins were identified, and an immunoglobulin response (elevated γ-globulins) was observed in mange-affected wombats.
Histopathology revealed links between the acute phase response and systemic amyloidosis.

Conclusions

Demonstrated a clear link between the acute phase response and sarcoptic mange severity in bare-nosed wombats.
Highlighted the utility of non-specific inflammation markers for assessing systemic effects of mange and supporting field-based therapeutic decisions (e.g., erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
Findings are applicable to wombat health management and other species affected by sarcoptic mange globally.

Keywords:

Sarcoptes scabiei acute phase response agarose gel electrophoresis assay validation bare-nosed wombat erythrocyte sedimentation rate haptoglobin sarcoptic mange