title: Epizootiologic investigations of selected abortive agents in free-ranging Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) in Switzerland.
abstract: In the early 2000s, several colonies of Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) in Switzerland ceased growing or began to decrease. Reproductive problems due to infections with abortive agents might have negatively affected recruitment. We assessed the presence of selected agents of abortion in Alpine ibex by serologic, molecular, and culture techniques and evaluated whether infection with these agents might have affected population densities. Blood and fecal samples were collected from 651 ibex in 14 colonies throughout the Swiss Alps between 2006 and 2008. All samples were negative for Salmonella spp., Neospora caninum, and Bovine Herpesvirus-1. Antibodies to Coxiella burnetii, Leptospira spp., Chlamydophila abortus, Toxoplasma gondii, and Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus were detected in at least one ibex. Positive serologic results for Brucella spp. likely were false. Overall, 73 samples (11.2%) were antibody-positive for at least one abortive agent. Prevalence was highest for Leptospira spp. (7.9%, 95% CI=5.0-11.7). The low prevalences and the absence of significant differences between colonies with opposite population trends suggest these pathogens do not play a significant role in the population dynamics of Swiss ibex. Alpine ibex do not seem to be a reservoir for these abortive agents or an important source of infection for domestic livestock in Switzerland. Finally, although interactions on summer pastures occur frequently, spillover from infected livestock to free-ranging ibex apparently is uncommon.
authors: Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Postfach 8466, 3001 Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Nelson
authors: N
authors: Marreros
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Hüssy
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Albini
authors: Caroline F
authors: CF
authors: Frey
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Abril
authors: Hans-Rudolf
authors: HR
authors: Vogt
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Holzwarth
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Wirz-Dittus
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Friess
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Engels
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Borel
authors: Christian S
authors: CS
authors: Willisch
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Signer
authors: Ludwig E
authors: LE
authors: Hoelzle
authors: Marie-Pierre
authors: MP
authors: Ryser-Degiorgis
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D006041:Goats; D008297:Male; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011247:Pregnancy; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan