Inferring the Ecological Niche of Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. in Wild Felids

Traditional epidemiological studies of disease in animal populations often focus on directly transmitted pathogens. One reason pathogens with complex lifecycles are understudied could be due to challenges associated with detection in vectors and the environment. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) is a...

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Published inFrontiers in veterinary science Vol. 4; p. 172
Main Authors Escobar, Luis E, Carver, Scott, Romero-Alvarez, Daniel, VandeWoude, Sue, Crooks, Kevin R, Lappin, Michael R, Craft, Meggan E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 17.10.2017
Subjects
Bartonella spp
environmental transmission
Lynx rufus
niche
Puma concolor
Toxoplasma gondii
Veterinary Science
Puma concolor
environmental transmission
niche
Lynx rufus
Toxoplasma gondii
Bartonella spp
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Summary:Traditional epidemiological studies of disease in animal populations often focus on directly transmitted pathogens. One reason pathogens with complex lifecycles are understudied could be due to challenges associated with detection in vectors and the environment. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) is a methodological approach that overcomes some of the detection challenges often seen with vector or environmentally dependent pathogens. We test this approach using a unique dataset of two pathogens in wild felids across North America: and spp. in bobcats ( ) and puma ( ). We found three main patterns. First, showed a broader use of environmental conditions than did spp. Also, ecological niche models, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index satellite imagery, were useful even when applied to wide-ranging hosts. Finally, ENM results from one region could be applied to other regions, thus transferring information across different landscapes. With this research, we detail the uncertainty of epidemiological risk models across novel environments, thereby advancing tools available for epidemiological decision-making. We propose that ENM could be a valuable tool for enabling understanding of transmission risk, contributing to more focused prevention and control options for infectious diseases.
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Reviewed by: Gerardo Acosta-Jamett, Universidad Austral de Chile, Chile; Anke Wiethoelter, University of Melbourne, Australia
These authors have contributed equally to this work.
Edited by: Victoria J. Brookes, University of Sydney, Australia
Specialty section: This article was submitted to Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, a section of the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science
ISSN:2297-1769
2297-1769
DOI:10.3389/fvets.2017.00172