Effect of Canine Parvovirus and Canine Distemper Virus on the Mexican Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) Population in the USA. 2019

Anne Justice-Allen, and Matthew J Clement
1 Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W Carefree Hwy., Phoenix, Arizona 85086, USA.

Mexican wolves (Canis lupus baileyi), classified as probably extinct in the wild in Mexico and endangered in the US, were reintroduced into Arizona in 1998. We combined annual serologic testing results from samples collected between 2003 and 2016 from 108 wolves and known survival data from 118 wolves born in the recovery area from 2003 to 2014 to evaluate whether exposure to canine distemper virus (CDV) or canine parvovirus (CPV) was associated with a greater risk of mortality before 2 yr of age. We used mixed-effects logistic regression to estimate the effect of CDV and CPV on the probability of mortality. Annual seroprevalence rates for CDV and CPV ranged from 0% to 62% and from 33% to 100%, respectively (median, 14.2% and 90.3%, respectively). The covariate, age at testing, had a negative effect on mortality, indicating that younger animals had lower survival, whereas sex had little effect on mortality. The best-supported model excluded any effect of CPV or CDV on death before 2 yr old at both the pack and individual level. Although our analysis did not detect an effect of these viruses on mortality before 2 yr old, CDV was later identified as the cause of mortality in two individuals in 2017. Additional information is needed to assess the impact of these diseases on Mexican wolves.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010322 Parvoviridae Infections Virus infections caused by the PARVOVIRIDAE. Parvovirus Infections,Infections, Parvoviridae,Infections, Parvovirus,Infection, Parvoviridae,Infection, Parvovirus,Parvoviridae Infection,Parvovirus Infection
D004216 Distemper A name for several highly contagious viral diseases of animals, especially canine distemper. In dogs, it is caused by the canine distemper virus (DISTEMPER VIRUS, CANINE). It is characterized by a diphasic fever, leukopenia, gastrointestinal and respiratory inflammation and sometimes, neurologic complications. In cats it is known as FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA. Canine Distemper,Distemper, Canine,Canine Distempers,Distempers,Distempers, Canine
D004217 Distemper Virus, Canine A species of MORBILLIVIRUS causing distemper in dogs, wolves, foxes, raccoons, and ferrets. Pinnipeds have also been known to contract Canine distemper virus from contact with domestic dogs. Canine Distemper Virus,Canine Distemper Viruses,Distemper Viruses, Canine
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D016036 Seroepidemiologic Studies EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES based on the detection through serological testing of characteristic change in the serum level of specific ANTIBODIES. Latent subclinical infections and carrier states can thus be detected in addition to clinically overt cases. Seroprevalence,Seroepidemiologic Study,Seroepidemiological Study,Studies, Seroepidemiologic,Study, Seroepidemiologic,Seroepidemiological Studies,Seroprevalences,Studies, Seroepidemiological,Study, Seroepidemiological
D056727 Endangered Species An animal or plant species in danger of extinction. Causes can include human activity, changing climate, or change in predator/prey ratios. Threatened Species,Species, Endangered,Species, Threatened
D017993 Parvovirus, Canine A species of the genus PARVOVIRUS and a host range variant of FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA VIRUS. It causes a highly infectious fulminating ENTERITIS in dogs producing high mortality. It is distinct from CANINE MINUTE VIRUS, a species in the genus BOCAVIRUS. This virus can also infect cats and mink. Canine Parvovirus,Canine Parvoviruses,Parvoviruses, Canine
D019596 Wolves Any of several large carnivorous mammals of the family CANIDAE that usually hunt in packs. Canis lupus,Canis rufus,Canis simensis,Ethiopian Wolf,Gray Wolf,Red Wolf,Wolf,Wolf, Ethiopian,Wolf, Gray,Wolf, Red

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