Pathogens in American Black Bears
In Maryland
NOTE- Maryland bears tested for this study indicated exposure to Canine distemper virus, Toxoplasma gondii, rabies virus, canine adenovirus, canine parvovirus, West Nile virus, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme), Rickettsia rickettsiae (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Leptospira interrogans (spirochetial disease) serovars Pomona, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Grippotyphosa and Bratislava. Researchers did not find evidence of Brucella canis or Ehrlichia canis.
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Article Citation:
Ellen Bronson, Harry Spiker, and Cindy P. Driscoll (2014) Serosurvey For Selected Pathogens In Free-Ranging American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) In Maryland, USA. Journal of Wildlife Diseases In-Press.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7589/2013-07-155
Ahead of Print
Serosurvey For Selected Pathogens In Free-Ranging American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) In Maryland, USA
Ellen Bronson1,4, Harry Spiker2, and Cindy P. Driscoll3
1 Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1876 Mansion House Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21217, USA
2 Wildlife & Heritage Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 1728 King's Run Rd., Oakland, Maryland 21550, USA
3 Fish and Wildlife Health Program, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Cooperative Oxford Laboratory, 904 South Morris Street, Oxford, Maryland 21654, USA
Abstract
American black bears (Ursus americanus) in Maryland, USA, live in forested areas in close proximity to humans and their domestic pets. From 1999 to 2011, we collected 84 serum samples from 63 black bears (18 males; 45 females) in five Maryland counties and tested them for exposure to infectious, including zoonotic, pathogens.
A large portion of the bears had antibody to canine distemper virus and Toxoplasma gondii, many at high titers.
Prevalences of antibodies to zoonotic agents such as rabies virus and to infectious agents of carnivores including canine adenovirus and canine parvovirus were lower.
Bears also had antibodies to vector-borne pathogens common to bears and humans such as West Nile virus, Borrelia burgdorferi, Rickettsia rickettsiae, andAnaplasma phagocytophilum. Antibodies were detected toLeptospira interrogans serovars Pomona, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, and Bratislava.
We did not detect antibodies to Brucella canis or Ehrlichia canis.
Although this population of Maryland black bears demonstrated exposure to multiple pathogens of concern for humans and domesticated animals, the low levels of clinical disease in this and other free-ranging black bear populations indicate the black bear is likely a spillover host for the majority of pathogens studied.
Nevertheless, bear populations living at the human–domestic-wildlife interface with increasing human and domestic animal exposure should continue to be monitored because this population likely serves as a useful sentinel of ecosystem health.
Keywords: American black bear, disease, Maryland,serosurvey, Ursus americanus
Received: July 8, 2013; Accepted: May 12, 2014 ;Published Online: July 30, 2014
4 Corresponding author (email: ellen.bronson@marylandzoo.org)