Survey of Serum Amyloid A and Bacterial and Viral Frequency Using qPCR Levels in Recently Captured Feral Donkeys from Death Valley National Park (California).
Authors: Jerele Sara, Davis Eric, Mapes Samantha, Pusterla Nicola, Navas González Francisco Javier, Iglesias Pastrana Carlos, Abdelfattah Essam Mahmoud, McLean Amy
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Recently captured feral donkeys from Death Valley National Park were screened for viral and bacterial pathogens to assess their potential as disease vectors following relocation to holding facilities, with particular focus on agents transmissible to horses. Researchers collected blood and nasal swabs from 85 donkeys at capture, with 24 animals retested after 30–60 days of co-mingling in Arizona holding facilities; qPCR analysis quantified DNA loads for equine influenza A, equine rhinitis viruses, five alphaherpesviruses, and two streptococcal species, whilst serum amyloid A (SAA) served as a non-specific inflammation marker. Notably, whilst AHV-2 and *Streptococcus zooepidemicus* DNA concentrations changed significantly between sampling points (p < 0.05), donkeys shedding these agents displayed clinical signs including nasal discharge, coughing, and altered body condition—and foals showed elevated SAA levels regardless of infection status. The findings suggest feral donkeys pose minimal disease transmission risk to horses under normal circumstances, though respiratory pathogens such as *Streptococcus zooepidemicus* warrant monitoring, particularly given the animals' susceptibility to these organisms and the potential for cross-species transmission during periods of stress or immunosuppression following capture and relocation.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Monitor recently captured feral donkeys for clinical signs of nasal discharge and cough as indicators of AHV-2 or Streptococcus zooepimedicus infection before co-mingling with domestic horse populations
- •Young donkeys (foals) show elevated inflammatory markers (SAA) and may warrant heightened health screening protocols in holding facilities
- •Implement quarantine and health screening protocols when mixing feral donkeys with domestic equine populations, particularly screening for strangles and AHV-2 given their potential for cross-species transmission
Key Findings
- •AHV-2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus DNA were significantly associated with nasal discharge, coughing, poor body condition, and behavioral changes in feral donkeys
- •AHV-2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus DNA concentrations significantly differed between sampling moments at 30/60 days post-capture (p < 0.05)
- •Higher serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations were observed in foals compared to adult donkeys
- •Feral donkeys do not appear to be a substantial disease transmission risk to horses unless they carry strangles or infections involving AHV-2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus