Role of carriers in the transmission of pneumonia in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)

Author:

Raghavan Bindu1,Erickson Kayla1,Kugadas Abirami1,Batra Sai A.1,Call Douglas R.2,Davis Margaret A.2,Foreyt William J.1,Srikumaran Subramaniam1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

2. Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the absence of livestock contact, recurring lamb mortality in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations previously exposed to pneumonia indicates the likely presence of carriers of pneumonia-causing pathogens, and possibly inadequate maternally derived immunity. To investigate this problem we commingled naïve, pregnant ewes (n=3) with previously exposed rams (n=2). Post-commingling, all ewes and lambs born to them acquired pneumonia-causing pathogens (leukotoxin-producing Pasteurellaceae and Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae), with subsequent lamb mortality between 4-9 weeks of age. Infected ewes became carriers for two subsequent years and lambs born to them succumbed to pneumonia. In another experiment, we attempted to suppress the carriage of leukotoxin-producing Pasteurellaceae by administering an antibiotic to carrier ewes, and evaluated lamb survival. Lambs born to both treatment and control ewes (n=4 each) acquired pneumonia and died. Antibody titers against leukotoxin-producing Pasteurellaceae in all eight ewes were ‘protective’ (>1:800 and no apparent respiratory disease); however their lambs were either born with comparatively low titers, or with high (but non-protective) titers that declined rapidly within 2-8 weeks of age, rendering them susceptible to fatal disease. Thus, exposure to pneumonia-causing pathogens from carrier ewes, and inadequate titers of maternally derived protective antibodies, are likely to render bighorn lambs susceptible to fatal pneumonia.

Funder

Morris Animal Foundation

Wild Sheep Foundation

Nevada Bighorns Unlimited

Nevada Department of Wildlife

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Publisher

The Company of Biologists

Subject

General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Reference51 articles.

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