Animals In Canada Research Articles

USING WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AND POSTMORTEM DATA TO IDENTIFY KEY CAUSES OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IMPACTING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF FREE-LIVING WILD ANIMALS IN CANADA.

The health and welfare of wild animals are of increasing concern, yet there are very few large-scale data syntheses examining how causes of wildlife morbidity and mortality vary across time, space, and taxa. Records for 18,540 animals submitted to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) (2009-19) and 144,846 animals admitted to 19 wildlife rehabilitation centers (WRCs) (2015-19) were evaluated to 1) identify the main causes of morbidity and mortality for Canadian wildlife and 2) assess the utility and complementarity of these two data sources to further our understanding of wildlife health. The CWHC cases (mortality) were examined by pathologists and grouped by the presence or absence of five diagnostic categories: trauma, emaciation, infection or inflammation, toxicity, and other. These CWHC animals were also classified as "killed due to real or perceived human-wildlife conflict" based on finder history. The WRC admissions were categorized by health issue (according to intake records) and based on reported or observed situational reasons for admission: parental loss, unsafe or unsuitable location, nest or habitat disturbance, illegal possession, and abnormal behavior. For both datasets, the main reason for submission or admission was trauma (44 and 48%, respectively), especially vehicle collisions (7 and 11%) and window or building strikes (5 and 7%). Many other WRC admissions were due to parental loss (28%), cat attacks (6%), and immature animals being found in unsafe or unsuitable locations (6%). Most other CWHC mortalities were caused by infections (27%) and emaciation (23%). Relatively few birds, amphibians, and reptiles submitted to CWHC were killed due to human-wildlife conflict, but 22% of mammals were killed for this reason, highlighting the taxonomic differences in the perceived threat of wildlife to finders, and therefore their response. Together, these data sources highlight key issues impacting the health and welfare of wild animals in Canada.

Assessing the spatial and temporal patterns and risk factors for acquisition of Ixodes spp. by companion animals across Canada

Climatic and land use changes have contributed to substantial changes in the abundance, distribution, and activity patterns of ticks in Canada, which have led to an increased risk of tick bites and tick-borne pathogen exposure for companion animals. The objectives of this study were to describe current spatial and temporal patterns of Ixodes spp. on companion animals in Canada and explore the association between tick bites and dog and cat demographic factors. Ticks were collected for one year (April 2019 – March 2020) from 94 veterinary clinics. Included with each submission was a short questionnaire containing owner-reported information on travel history, date of removal and suspected location of tick acquisition, and animal-specific demographic factors. Ticks were identified morphologically using a stereomicroscope, standard keys, and through PCR analyses. Mixed effect multivariable logistic regression models were built to explore the association between an Ixodes scapularis bite and animal demographic factors; veterinary clinic was included as a random effect. Approximately 2300 submissions were received from clinics across Canada, totalling 4425 ticks. The most common Ixodes spp. was I. scapularis (n = 2168), followed by Ixodes pacificus (n = 172) and Ixodes cookei (n = 155). Ixodes scapularis were well distributed in regions across central and eastern Canada. Ixodes cookei was found in eastern Canada, with the greatest numbers from Quebec and New Brunswick. Ixodes pacificus submissions were restricted to British Columbia. Across eastern Canada, dogs of the herding, mixed breed (large and small), sporting, working, terrier, and toy breed groups, and spayed cats were all found to have higher odds of acquiring I. scapularis, compared to other tick species. For the dog model, significant interactions were found between predictor variables age and sex. Regional information on tick distribution, seasonality, and risk factors for acquisition contribute to evidence-based veterinary practices for tick and tick-borne disease control in Canada.

Babesiosis and Theileriosis in North America.

Babesia and Theileria are apicomplexan parasites that cause established and emerging diseases in humans, domestic and wild animals. These protozoans are transmitted by Ixodid ticks causing babesiosis or theileriosis, both characterized by fever, hemolytic anemia, jaundice, and splenomegaly. In North America (NA), the most common species affecting humans is B. microti, which is distributed in the Northeastern and Upper Midwestern United States (US), where the tick vector Ixodes scapularis is established. In livestock, B. bovis and B. bigemina are the most important pathogens causing bovine babesiosis in tropical regions of Mexico. Despite efforts toward eradication of their tick vector, Rhipicephalus microplus, B. bovis and B. bigemina present a constant threat of being reintroduced into the southern US and represent a continuous concern for the US cattle industry. Occasional outbreaks of T. equi, and T. orientalis have occurred in horses and cattle, respectively, in the US, with significant economic implications for livestock including quarantine, production loss, and euthanasia of infected animals. In addition, a new species, T. haneyi, has been recently discovered in horses from the Mexico-US border. Domestic dogs are hosts to at least four species of Babesia in NA that may result in clinical disease that ranges from subclinical to acute, severe anemia. Herein we review the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and epidemiology of the most important diseases caused by Babesia and Theileria to humans, domestic and wild animals in Canada, the US, and Mexico.

503 Late-Breaking: Using Random Regression Models to Estimate Genetic Parameters for Milk Production Traits under Different Levels of Heat Stress in Canadian Holstein Cattle

Abstract Genetically selecting animals that are heat tolerant can help to maintain production efficiency of the dairy industry under thermal challenges. During the summer months in Canada, dairy cows could be under thermal stress. For instance, in Ontario, cows are expected to be 105 days under thermal stress. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for milk production traits under heat stress in Canadian Holstein cows. A total of 604,050 test-day records for milk, fat, and protein yields from 78,516 first-lactation Holstein cows were used in this study. The production data was combined with daily maximum temperature-humidity index (THI; ranging from 30 to 83) calculated based on meteorological records from public weather stations. In total, 58 weather stations were located within a maximum distance of 20 km from each of the 1,284 herds included in this study. Single-trait random regressions on THI, fitting linear splines to describe the random additive genetic and permanent environmental effects, were used in the genetic analyses. Based on preliminary analyses, the knots of the spline functions were set to THI = 70, 57, and 58 for milk, fat, and protein yields, respectively. Therefore, the models assumed a linear effect of heat stress beyond the THI threshold, allowing to estimate the additive genetic effect under thermal comfort and at different levels of heat stress. The genetic correlations estimated between thermal comfort and heat stress were -0.09, -0.33, and -0.21 for milk, fat, and protein yields, respectively. This indicates an antagonistic relationship between level of production and heat tolerance. However, small differences in heritability estimates were observed above the THI thresholds (they ranged from 0.20 to 0.22 for milk, 0.18 to 0.15 for fat, and 0.14 to 0.15 for protein yields). This study demonstrates the possibility of genetically selecting for more heat-tolerant animals in Canada.

How does the environmental state “see” endangered marine animals?

How does the state see nature? Has the emergence of “environmental states” with significant environmental laws and policy changed the state’s vision towards nonhumans, particularly endangered wildlife? These are key questions in a paradoxical context where over the past half century, endangered wildlife have largely continued to decline amid expanding state environmental legislation. Towards answers, we analyze how endangered marine animals in Canada are considered in federal environmental assessments (EAs) that inform state decisions about whether to authorize major development projects. We conducted an inductive content analysis of all federal EAs for projects with potential adverse effects for one or more of the 14 endangered marine vertebrates in Canada. Of 32 projects, 31 were approved, 30 of which were predicted to have no or insignificant impacts on endangered marine species, despite a litany of potential impacts. This analysis reveals four main justifications for predicting insignificant impacts: unproven mitigation measures; species are presumed to have a low likelihood of occurrence in project areas; species behaviour is believed to reduce the likelihood of impacts; and project impacts are characterized as minor compared to existing activity. A consistent vision of nature underpins these justifications: the state sees marine species and ocean ecologies in a simplified manner, while these species also remain strategically illegible. Simplification and strategic illegibility both devalue endangered marine animals, suggesting EA is failing endangered marine species by facilitating the state’s ability to prioritize development over species recovery.

Characterization of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infections in dogs: Passive surveillance in Saskatchewan, Canada 2014 to 2018.

BackgroundUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in dogs and can be caused by multidrug‐resistant Escherichia coli (E coli).ObjectiveTo describe the frequency and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among E coli causing UTIs in dogs in Western Canada during a 4‐year surveillance period.AnimalsUrine from 516 dogs.MethodsFrom November 2014 to 2018, 516 nonduplicate E coli isolates from the urine of dogs were collected from a diagnostic laboratory. Susceptibility testing was determined for a panel of 14 antimicrobials belonging to 7 drug classes. Resistant isolates were screened for the presence of extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC β‐lactamases, and plasmid‐mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes. Epidemiological relationships were assessed by MLST.Results80.2% (414/516) of isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobials tested. There was no significant increase in the proportion of isolates resistant to any of the tested antimicrobials during the study period. Resistance to ampicillin was the most common (14.9%, 77/516). Overall, 12 isolates had bla CMY‐2‐type AmpC β‐lactamases, and 7 produced CTX‐M‐type ESBLs. A single isolate had the aac(6′)‐Ib‐cr PMQR gene. The qnr and qepA determinants were not detected. A single isolate belonging to the pandemic lineage ST131 was identified.Conclusion Escherichia coli isolated from the urine of dogs in our region remain susceptible to first‐line therapies, though resistance, particularly to the aminopenicillins, warrants monitoring. This is the first description of E coli ST131 from a companion animal in Canada.

Mental Wellbeing in Laboratory Animal Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study of Compassion Fatigue, Contributing Factors, and Coping Mechanisms.

Compassion fatigue (CF) is a topic of increasing concern because it can affect the mental wellbeing of caregivers, including those caring for or using research animals. If unaddressed, compassion fatigue may adversely impact the quality of life for personnel working with animals in research settings and may influence their decision to remain in the field. This study used a cross-sectional anonymous online questionnaire to 1) examine compassion fatigue in individuals working with research animals in Canada and the US; 2) better understand how personal and work-related factors may influence feelings of CF; 3) assess coping mechanisms used to deal with CF; and 4) determine the beneficial components of a CF support program. A questionnaire was sent to laboratory animal professionals in Canada and the US via email listserves to survey the general population of laboratory animal workers and personnel working for a large North American contract research organization (CRO). A total of 422 responses were received and analyzed (n = 154 from the general population, n = 268 from the CRO). Most participants were female (73%, 309/422); 66% (101/154) and 69% (184/268) of the general laboratory animal science respondents and the CRO respondents, respectively, reported experiencing feelings of CF. Survey participants indicated that the most influential work-related factors associated with feelings of CF were understaffing, close relationships with experimental animals, a lack of resources for coping with CF, poor relationships with superiors, and lack of training in managing CF. Respondents indicated that the most influential personal factors contributing to feelings of CF were poor mental and physical health. The most commonly reported beneficial coping mechanisms were talking to a trusted individual, getting away from work, practicing self-care strategies, increasing opportunities for physical activity, and owning or caring for companion animals.

Rights and Representation: Media Narratives about Disabled People and Their Service Animals in Canadian Print News


 
 
 Canadian news coverage is reflecting and shaping an evolution of thought about how we must publicly account for animals’ roles in the disability rights movement. Through a textual analysis of 26 news media articles published between 2012 and 2017, this research demonstrates that the media play a key role in reporting on discrimination, yet media narratives about service animals and their owners too often fail to capture the complexity of policies and laws that govern their lives. In Canada, there is widespread public confusion about the rights of disabled people and their service animals. This incertitude is relevant to both disability and animal oppression. This research identifies nine frames within the media narratives, as well as evaluating perspectives from critical animal studies in the news articles. These frames, which emerge in the media reports, in their descriptions of human and (less often) animal rights, illustrate public confusion surrounding these rights. The confusion is inevitable given the many laws in Canada that govern service animals. Thus, to give context to the news coverage, this article also surveys the legal protections for disabled people who use service animals in Canada, and suggests that until the news media understand the legalities surrounding service animals, they will not be well equipped to fulfil their role of informing the public. This is a lost opportunity in light of the media’s potential role as a pivotal tool to educate the public about disability and animal rights.
 
 

Veterinary antimicrobial stewardship in North America

Major changes are occurring in veterinary antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in food animals in Canada and the USA. Advances have been ending the use of medically important antimicrobials (MIAs) as growth promoters and bringing all MIAs for food animals under veterinary prescription in Canada (2018) or MIAs in feed or water under veterinary prescription (2017) in the USA. The USA proposes bringing all MIAs for food and companion animals under veterinary oversight, to reduce the duration of preventive use for food animals and to develop a strategy for companion animals. Both countries are taking a 'One Health' approach as part of their national strategies on addressing AMS. Federal state or province jurisdictional issues have impeded development and implementation of regulation-based stewardship approaches. Veterinary regulatory bodies in some of the larger states and provinces are active in AMS. Both the American and Canadian veterinary medical associations are independently heavily engaged in promoting AMS, as are, variably, the different veterinary 'specialty' groups. Regulatory changes and market demand are markedly reducing the use of antimicrobials in food animals. The promotion of veterinary AMS is happening at an increasing pace.

Genomic Investigation of the Emergence of Invasive Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Dublin in Humans and Animals in Canada.

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Dublin is a zoonotic pathogen that often leads to invasive bloodstream infections in humans that are multidrug resistant. Described here are the results of Canadian national surveillance of S Dublin from 2003 to 2015 in humans and bovines, principally collected through the Canadian Integrated Program for Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS). An increase in human infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) S Dublin was observed in 2010, many of which were bloodstream infections. Phylogenomic analysis of human and bovine isolates revealed a closely related network that differed by only 0 to 17 single nucleotide variants (SNVs), suggesting some potential transmission between humans and bovines. Phylogenomic comparison of global publicly available sequences of S Dublin showed that Canadian isolates clustered closely with those from the United States. A high correlation between phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial susceptibility was observed in Canadian isolates. IS26 replication was widespread among U.S. and Canadian isolates and caused the truncation and inactivation of the resistance genes strA and blaTEM-1B A hybrid virulence and MDR plasmid (pN13-01125) isolated from a Canadian S Dublin isolate was searched against NCBI SRA data of bacteria. The pN13-01125 coding sequences were found in 13 Salmonella serovars, but S Dublin appears to be a specific reservoir. In summary, we have observed the rise of invasive MDR S Dublin in humans in Canada and found that they are closely related to bovine isolates and to American isolates in their mobile and chromosomal contents.

Diversity of CTX-M-positive Escherichia coli recovered from animals in Canada

Historically, extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance in bacteria from animals in Canada has been attributed to the SHV and CMY β-lactamase families. This pattern is beginning to change with the emergence of the blaCTX-M gene family among Escherichia coli recovered from various animal species. Here we analyze and compare whole genome sequences of blaCTX-M-positive E. coli isolates (n = 173) from dogs, chicken, swine, horses and beef cattle in Canada. Ten blaCTX-M variants were identified with blaCTX-M-1,-14, -15, -27 and blaCTX-M-55 being identified in most animal species. These variants occurred across many sequence types, suggesting that mobile genetic elements mediate the spread of blaCTX-M. The variants blaCTX-M-14, -15, -27 and blaCTX-M-55 are associated with the global spread of blaCTX-M in human clinical isolates and their presence could be indicative of transfer between humans and animals. These variants were also the principal variants identified among sequence type 131 isolates, which were not associated with any other species than dogs. These isolates carried the same blaCTX-M variants as E. coli isolates found in humans. Close contact may promote the transmission of these isolates between humans and companion animals.

Complete Genome Sequences of Historic Clostridioides difficile Food-Dwelling Ribotype 078 Strains in Canada Identical to That of the Historic Human Clinical Strain M120 in the United Kingdom.

Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile is a spore-forming anaerobic bacterium that causes severe intestinal diseases in humans. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the first C. difficile foodborne type strain (PCR ribotype 078) isolated from food animals in Canada in 2004, which has 100% similarity to the genome sequence of the historic human clinical strain M120.

Raccoon rabies outbreak in Hamilton, Ontario: A progress report.

Raccoon rabies is caused by a variant of the rabies virus found in raccoons but transmissible to other mammalian species, including humans. The disease of rabies caused by raccoon variant rabies virus is indistinguishable from rabies caused by other rabies virus variants. This paper describes the raccoon rabies outbreak in Ontario (identified in December 2015) and the control measures undertaken to curb the spread of the epizootic using the One Health approach. Representatives from local, provincial and federal agencies collectively activated a raccoon rabies response that involved policy updates, enhanced surveillance, a public education campaign and mass vaccination of wildlife and domestic animals. Between December 2015 and June 2017, 338 animals tested positive for raccoon rabies in Ontario. While the majority of the cases were raccoons, there was significant spillover into striped skunks, as well as other species including two cats, a fox and a llama. Viral genome sequencing determined that this epizootic was likely caused by long-distance translocation from the United States. This outbreak of raccoon rabies is by far the largest to have occurred in Canada and the first raccoon rabies outbreak documented in a densely populated urban area. This is also the first time this rabies virus variant has been identified in a domestic animal in Canada. A collaborative approach involving numerous stakeholders in the public and private sectors has been instrumental in addressing this epizootic. Though case incidence appears to be declining, several years will likely be required to reach elimination. Continued collaboration between these agencies is necessary to achieve this goal.

Water use intensity of Canadian beef production in 1981 as compared to 2011

The amount of beef produced per animal in Canada increased significantly from 1981 to 2011, due to enhanced production efficiency and increased carcass weight. This study examined the impact of improvements in production efficiency on water use intensity over this period. Temporal and regional differences in cattle categories, water use for drinking, feed production and meat processing, feeding systems, average daily gains, and carcass weight were considered in the analysis. Potential evapotranspiration (PET) was estimated by the National Drought Model (NDM) from 679 weather stations across Canada using the Priestley and Taylor equation. To adjust PET estimates for each crop included in cattle diets, FAO crop coefficients were used to calculate total feed water demand. Estimates of drinking water consumed by a given class of cattle accounted for physiological status, body weight and dry matter intake as well as ambient temperature. In both years, drinking water accounted for less than 1% of total water use with precipitation (i.e., green water) included for feed and pasture production. With exclusion of green water, drinking water accounted for 24% and 21% of total water use for Canadian beef production in 1981 and 2011, respectively. The estimated intensity of blue water (surface and groundwater) use per kilogram of boneless beef was 577L in 1981 and 459 in 2011, a 20% decline. The observed reduction in water use intensity over the past three decades is attributed to an increase in average daily gain and slaughter weight, improved reproductive efficiency, reduced time to slaughter as well as improvements in crop yields and irrigation efficiency. Given that feed production accounts for the majority of water use in beef production, further advances may be achieved by improving feeding efficiencies and reducing water use per unit of feed crop and pasture production.

Descriptive study of enteric zoonoses in Ontario, Canada, from 2010 \u2013 2012

BackgroundContact with animals and their environment has long been recognized as an important source of enteric zoonoses. However, there are limited data available on the burden of illness associated with specific types of animals in Canada. This study describes the overall burden of enteric zoonoses in Ontario, Canada from 2010 to 2012.MethodsConfirmed cases of seven enteric zoonotic diseases (campylobacteriosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, listeriosis, salmonellosis, verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) infection, and yersiniosis) with episode dates from 2010 to 2012 were extracted from the integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS). Reported exposures were categorized as animal contact, foodborne, waterborne and ‘other’, with animal contact grouped into nine sub-categories based on the type of animal or transmission setting. Overall incidence rates and proportions by animal exposure categories, age and sex-specific incidence rates and hospitalization and death proportions were calculated and sex proportions compared.ResultsOur study found that approximately 26% of the enteric pathogens assessed during the 2010 to 2012 period reported contact with animals and their environments as the mode of transmission. Of enteric disease cases reporting animal contact, farm exposures were reported for 51.3%, dog or cat exposures for 26.3%, and reptile or amphibian exposures for 8.9%.ConclusionsContact with animals was reported more frequently during the period 2010 to 2012 in comparison to the period 1997 to 2003 when 6% or less of enteric cases were associated with animal contact. Public health professionals, stakeholders associated with animals and their related industries (e.g., pet treats, mobile zoos, abattoirs), and the public should recognize that animal contact is an important source of enteric illnesses in order to take measures to reduce the burden of illness from animal sources.

Genotyping and investigating capsular polysaccharide synthesis gene loci of non-serotypeable Streptococcus suis isolated from diseased pigs in Canada

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is an important swine pathogen and an emerging zoonotic agent. Most clinical S. suis strains express capsular polysaccharides (CPS), which can be typed by antisera using the coagglutination test. In this study, 79 S. suis strains recovered from diseased pigs in Canada and which could not be typed using antisera were further characterized by capsular gene typing and sequencing. Four patterns of cps locus were observed: (1) fifteen strains were grouped into previously reported serotypes but presented several mutations in their cps loci, when compared to available data from reference strains; (2) seven strains presented a complete deletion of the cps locus, which would result in an inability to synthesize capsule; (3) forty-seven strains were classified in recently described novel cps loci (NCLs); and (4) ten strains carried novel NCLs not previously described. Different virulence gene profiles (based on the presence of mrp, epf, and/or sly) were observed in these non-serotypeable strains. This study provides further insight in understanding the genetic characteristics of cps loci in non-serotypeable S. suis strains recovered from diseased animals. When using a combination of the previously described 35 serotypes and the complete NCL system, the number of untypeable strains recovered from diseased animals in Canada would be significantly reduced.

Animal Justice and Sexual (Ab)use: Consideration of Legal Recongition of Sentience for Animals in Canada

Animal Justice and Sexual (Ab)use: Consideration of Legal Recongition of Sentience for Animals in Canada

Preparing for and responding to recent incursions of raccoon rabies variant into Canada.

By the late 2000s, Canada had successfully eliminated the incursion of racoon rabies from the south and remained free of this rabies variant from approximately 2009 to 2014. However, new incursions of raccoon rabies variant have recently been detected in three Canadian provinces: Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. Actions to address previous and current incursions of this rabies variant include enhanced surveillance programs, a point infection control strategy to respond to cases, a trap-vaccine-release program and oral rabies vaccination campaigns in targeted areas to prevent further cases and spread. It is hard to predict when and where new incursions will appear because of the ecological adaptability of raccoons and the significant risk associated with inadvertent translocation events by vehicles, trains and ships and raccoon movements across bridges. To date, no cases of raccoon rabies variant have been detected in domestic animals in Canada. However, until racoon rabies can be pushed back from the Canadian border, it is important to remain prepared for the reappearance of this disease.

Translocated dogs from Nunavut and the spread of rabies.

Investigations of rabid animals that cross provincial/territorial boundaries are resource intensive and complex because of their multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral nature. To describe the multi-jurisdictional responses to two unrelated rabid puppies originating from Nunavut. A descriptive summary of the investigations following the identification of a rabid puppy in Alberta (August 2013) and another in Saskatchewan (December 2014). These investigations involved public health and agriculture authorities in five provinces/territories, as well as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). In Alberta, a puppy who became ill after being transported by air from Nunavut was euthanized and diagnosed with rabies (Arctic fox variant). Eighteen individuals were assessed for exposure to rabies; nine received rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (RPEP). An exposed household dog that tested negative was electively euthanized. In Nunavut, the rabid puppy's mother and litter mates were placed under quarantine. In Saskatchewan, another puppy became ill during transit by air from Nunavut. It was subsequently euthanized and diagnosed with rabies (Arctic fox variant). Two of three Saskatchewan individuals, including a veterinary technician, received RPEP. Two Nova Scotia residents were exposed to the puppy while in Nunavut and received RPEP. One household dog received booster vaccination, was quarantined for 45 days and remained asymptomatic. In Nunavut, the rabid puppy's mother and litter mates were not identified. In both cases, exposure to an Arctic fox was the probable source of rabies in the puppies. Translocation of dogs from the north where Arctic fox rabies is endemic poses a risk to human and animal health and may negatively impact control of rabies in Canada. There is currently no national framework to prevent inter-jurisdictional movement of potentially rabid animals in Canada.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Campylobacter spp. Prevalence and Concentration in Household Pets and Petting Zoo Animals for Use in Exposure Assessments.

Animal contact is a potential transmission route for campylobacteriosis, and both domestic household pet and petting zoo exposures have been identified as potential sources of exposure. Research has typically focussed on the prevalence, concentration, and transmission of zoonoses from farm animals to humans, yet there are gaps in our understanding of these factors among animals in contact with the public who don’t live on or visit farms. This study aims to quantify, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, the prevalence and concentration of Campylobacter carriage in household pets and petting zoo animals. Four databases were accessed for the systematic review (PubMed, CAB direct, ProQuest, and Web of Science) for papers published in English from 1992–2012, and studies were included if they examined the animal population of interest, assessed prevalence or concentration with fecal, hair coat, oral, or urine exposure routes (although only articles that examined fecal routes were found), and if the research was based in Canada, USA, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Studies were reviewed for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis by two reviewers, compiled into a database, and relevant studies were used to create a weighted mean prevalence value. There were insufficient data to run a meta-analysis of concentration values, a noted study limitation. The mean prevalence of Campylobacter in petting zoo animals is 6.5% based on 7 studies, and in household pets the mean is 24.7% based on 34 studies. Our estimated concentration values were: 7.65x103cfu/g for petting zoo animals, and 2.9x105cfu/g for household pets. These results indicate that Campylobacter prevalence and concentration are lower in petting zoo animals compared with household pets and that both of these animal sources have a lower prevalence compared with farm animals that do not come into contact with the public. There is a lack of studies on Campylobacter in petting zoos and/or fair animals in Canada and abroad. Within this literature, knowledge gaps were identified, and include: a lack of concentration data reported in the literature for Campylobacter spp. in animal feces, a distinction between ill and diarrheic pets in the reported studies, noted differences in shedding and concentrations for various subtypes of Campylobacter, and consistent reporting between studies.