Web of Science: 110 cites, Scopus: 117 cites, Google Scholar: cites,
Feline leukemia virus and other pathogens as important threats to the survival of the critically endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)
Meli, Marina L. (University of Zurich (Suïssa). Vetsuisse Faculty)
Cattori, Valentino (University of Zurich (Suïssa). Vetsuisse Faculty)
Martínez Sánchez, Fernando (Espacio Natural de Doñana (Espanya). Programa de Conservación Ex Situ del Lince Ibérico)
López, Guillermo (Consejería de Medio Ambiente (Còrdova, Espanya))
Vargas, Ástrid (Espacio Natural de Doñana (Espanya). Programa de Conservación Ex Situ del Lince Ibérico)
Simón, Miguel A. (Consejería de Medio Ambiente (Còrdova, Espanya))
Zorrilla, Irene (Centro de Análisis y Diagnóstico (Màlaga, Espanya))
Muñoz, Álvaro (Centro de Análisis y Diagnóstico (Màlaga, Espanya))
Palomares, Francisco (Estación Biológica de Doñana (Sevilla, Espanya))
López-Bao, José V. (Estación Biológica de Doñana (Sevilla, Espanya))
Pastor Milán, Josep (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals)
Tandon, Ravi (University of Zurich (Suïssa). Vetsuisse Faculty)
Willi, Barbara (University of Zurich (Suïssa). Vetsuisse Faculty)
Hofmann-Lehmann, Regina (University of Zurich (Suïssa). Vetsuisse Faculty)
Lutz, Hans (University of Zurich (Suïssa). Vetsuisse Faculty)

Data: 2009
Resum: Background: the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is considered the most endangered felid species in the world. In order to save this species, the Spanish authorities implemented a captive breeding program recruiting lynxes from the wild. In this context, a retrospective survey on prevalence of selected feline pathogens in free-ranging lynxes was initiated. Methodology/ Principal Findings: we systematically analyzed the prevalence and importance of seven viral, one protozoan (Cytauxzoon felis), and several bacterial (e. g. , hemotropic mycoplasma) infections in 77 of approximately 200 remaining free-ranging Iberian lynxes of the Doñana and Sierra Morena areas, in Southern Spain, between 2003 and 2007. With the exception of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), evidence of infection by all tested feline pathogens was found in Iberian lynxes. Fourteen lynxes were feline leukemia virus (FeLV) provirus-positive; eleven of these were antigenemic (FeLV p27 positive). All 14 animals tested negative for other viral infections. During a six-month period in 2007, six of the provirus-positive antigenemic lynxes died. Infection with FeLV but not with other infectious agents was associated with mortality (p<0. 001). Sequencing of the FeLV surface glycoprotein gene revealed a common origin for ten of the eleven samples. The ten sequences were closely related to FeLV-A/61E, originally isolated from cats in the USA. Endogenous FeLV sequences were not detected. Conclusions/Significance: It was concluded that the FeLV infection most likely originated from domestic cats invading the lynx's habitats. Data available regarding the time frame, co-infections, and outcome of FeLV-infections suggest that, in contrast to the domestic cat, the FeLV strain affecting the lynxes in 2007 is highly virulent to this species. Our data argue strongly for vaccination of lynxes and domestic cats in and around lynx's habitats in order to prevent further spread of the virus as well as reduction the domestic cat population if the lynx population is to be maintained.
Drets: Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. Creative Commons
Llengua: Anglès
Document: Article ; Versió publicada
Matèria: Leucèmia en els animals ; Lynx pardinus ; Feline leukemia virus
Publicat a: PloS one, Vol. 4, Issue 3 (March 2009) , p. e4744, ISSN 1932-6203

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004744
PMID: 19270739


9 p, 260.8 KB

El registre apareix a les col·leccions:
Articles > Articles publicats

 Registre creat el 2013-07-15, darrera modificació el 2024-02-06



   Favorit i Compartir