title: A Review of Infectious Agents in Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) and Their Long-Term Ecological Relevance.
abstract: Disease was a listing criterion for the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2008; it is therefore important to evaluate the current state of knowledge and identify any information gaps pertaining to diseases in polar bears. We conducted a systematic literature review focused on infectious agents and associated health impacts identified in polar bears. Overall, the majority of reports in free-ranging bears concerned serosurveys or fecal examinations with little to no information on associated health effects. In contrast, most reports documenting illness or pathology referenced captive animals and diseases caused by etiologic agents not representative of exposure opportunities in wild bears. As such, most of the available infectious disease literature has limited utility as a basis for development of future health assessment and management plans. Given that ecological change is a considerable risk facing polar bear populations, future work should focus on cumulative effects of multiple stressors that could impact polar bear population dynamics.
authors: Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80524, USA.
authors: Anna C
authors: AC
authors: Fagre
authors: Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Science Technology and Analysis Services (STAS), Veterinary Services (VS), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 2150 Centre Ave., Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA.
authors: Kelly A
authors: KA
authors: Patyk
authors: Wildlife-Livestock Disease Investigations Team, STAS, VS, APHIS, USDA, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA.
authors: Pauline
authors: P
authors: Nol
authors: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA.
authors: Todd
authors: T
authors: Atwood
authors: Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Natural Science and Mathematics, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA.
authors: Karsten
authors: K
authors: Hueffer
authors: Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80524, USA. colleen.duncan@colostate.edu.
authors: Colleen
authors: C
authors: Duncan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000662:veterinary*; D004777:Environment; D001503:Ursidae
keywords: Ursus maritimus; bacteria; disease; fungi; infection; parasites; polar bear; virus; vital rates