[Seroepidemiologic investigations in the Alpine ibex (Capra i. ibex) of Piz Albris in the canton of Grigioni (Switzerland)].
Sero-epidemiological investigations in wild animals may allow to assess distribution of selected pathogens that sometimes seem to be involved in sanitary interrelationships between wild and domestic ungulates sharing the same areas. Serological studies were carried out to investigate the prevalence of antibody against 8 pathogens in Alpine ibex of Albris colony (Grisons, Switzerland). Investigated sera came from 89 animals shot by gamekeepers in 1990-1991. Antibody against smooth Brucella, Coxiella burnetti, Leptospira interrogans, Borrelia Burgdorferi, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, BHV-1 and ovine-caprine lentiviruses were not detected in the tested sera. However, 31% of sera analysed were found to be positive for Chlamydia psittaci. Three sera showed high antibody titres ( > or = 1/128) suggestive of active infection in the animals. Any influence of Chlamydia psittaci in reproductive performance of free-ranging alpine ibex should be investigated through isolation of the agent. Results are discussed with reference to methods used and with epidemiological picture in Switzerland and were compared with results of serological investigations carried out in ibex in Italy and France.
Giacometti
M
M
Untersuchungsstelle für Wildtierkrankheiten, Institut für Tierpathologie der Universität Bern.
Tolari
F
F
Mannelli
A
A
Lanfranchi
P
P
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006041:Goats; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology