Mycoplasma bovis in wildlife
Mycoplasma bovis is a globally distributed, economically important bacterial pathogen of cattle that is of increasing interest due to recent impacts on bison production operations. We recently documented high mortality seasonal epizootics of M. bovis in pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in northeast Wyoming occurring in the spring of 2019 and 2020. M. bovis has not been previously reported in pronghorn, and little is known about M. bovis in wildlife. Previous reports are limited to few cases in mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). In all reported cases of M. bovis in deer and pronghorn, animals rapidly succumbed to fatal pneumonia.
Pronghorn are a unique and iconic, native wildlife species in Wyoming. Their geographic range is limited to the Great Plains, and they are sensitive to land development and other anthropogenic habitat disturbances. Traditionally, pronghorn are not considered a major threat to the health of cattle or bison, and they are widely tolerated on commercial operations. Our recent observations support the emergence of M. bovis as an important wildlife-livestock interface disease. Currently localized to one region of Wyoming, this disease has shown potential for rapid spread and cross-species transmission.
Our research involves genetic and genomic characterization of M. bovis isolates from various host species, in vitro investigation of host range and strain variation, and surveillance in free-ranging ungulates across Wyoming. We aim to better understand transmission risk and conservation implications to inform livestock producers, wildlife managers, biologists, veterinarians, conservation scientists, and other stakeholders.
Chronic wasting disease in Wyoming cervids
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of cervids (deer, elk, moose and reindeer) first identified in Colorado and now detected in 26 additional states, three Canadian provinces, Scandinavia, and the Republic of Korea. Studies have demonstrated chronic wasting disease (CWD) as a direct cause of population declines in Wyoming mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), where CWD prevalence in some hunt areas exceed 50%. Currently CWD prevalence in elk (Cervus canadensis) is notably lower than in sympatric deer; however, there is evidence that population-level impacts of CWD on elk are likely in absence of improved strategies for disease control.
While much progress has been made toward understanding CWD pathogenesis and transmission, an inability to detect CWD during early stages and through non-invasive sampling remain critical limitations. Real-time quaking induced conversion (RT-QuIC) is an ultrasensitive experimental prion amplification technique designed for rapid, high-throughput, detection of prions in a variety of sample types. This technique allows for enhanced early detection of prions, and is thus suited to support a variety of studies that aim to better understand many facets of CWD, including animal-to-animal/environment-to-animal transmission dynamics, pathogenesis, tissue tropism/trafficking, genetic susceptibility, epidemiology, and prion evolution and ecology. Working with established and experienced collaborators, the Malmberg Lab aims to develop and implement RT-QuIC to support multiple current and future CWD studies that strive to better understand and mitigate CWD in Wyoming.
Population genomics and CWD susceptibilty in elk
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease that afflicts elk (Cervis canadensis) and other cervid species. Currently, there is no known treatment for CWD; however, some cervid species have polymorphisms in the prion protein gene (PRNP) that result in slower disease progression. Individuals with the “slow” PRNP genotype live longer and therefore have more opportunities to reproduce than individuals with the “fast” PRNP genotype. In collaboration with the Wildlife Genomics & Disease Ecology Laboartory of Dr. Holly Ernest and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), we are studying the relationships between Wyoming elk connectivity, PRNP genotypes, and the distribution of CWD across the landscape. Specifically, we are using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data to identify genetic population units and characterize genetic connectivity in relation to natural and human-constructed landscape features, and aiming to relate these findings to CWD dynamics across the state of Wyoming.
Pneumonia in bighorn sheep
Pneumonia is considered to be the primary population-limiting factor for bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) across North America. This complex disease is associated with acute, all-age die-offs followed by herd-level maintenance of chronic infections and periods of low lamb recruitment that ultimately limit or drastically reduce population numbers. Multiple pathogens have been implicated in bighorn sheep pneumonia, and most die-offs are polymicrobial. Several bighorn sheep herds in Wyoming are known to carry important respiratory pathogens, such as Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and leukotoxigenic Pasteurellacae. However, the response to these pathogens differs across herds and across geographic regions. The Malmberg Lab provides pathology expertise for bighorn sheep pneumonia studies that aim to determine the role of interacting variables such as nutrition, habitat quality, micronutrient availability, and timing of parturition. Our work also supports studies that determine to better characterize respiratory pathogens of bighorn sheep using contemporary techniques such as whole genome sequencing and protein profiling via mass spectrometry.
Feline immunodeficiency virus in puma, bobcats and domestic cats
Most members of the Felidae family habor their own species-specific subtype of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Due to a long history of host-pathogen co-evolution, FIV is nonpathogenic in most large cats species. Because FIV evolves relatively rapidly and persists as a lifelong infection with causing clinical symptoms in puma (Puma concolor) and bobcat (Lynx rufus), the virus can be assessed as a marker of contact between populations or individuals, providing a means to assess host connectivity and population dynamics in these widely-ranging, elusive carnivores. In collaboration with the Sue VandeWoude Research Group at Colorado State University, we aim to investigate the ecology of various cat species through genetic and genomic characterization of FIV and other lentiviruses.
Mycoplasma bovis is a globally distributed, economically important bacterial pathogen of cattle that is of increasing interest due to recent impacts on bison production operations. We recently documented high mortality seasonal epizootics of M. bovis in pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in northeast Wyoming occurring in the spring of 2019 and 2020. M. bovis has not been previously reported in pronghorn, and little is known about M. bovis in wildlife. Previous reports are limited to few cases in mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). In all reported cases of M. bovis in deer and pronghorn, animals rapidly succumbed to fatal pneumonia.
Pronghorn are a unique and iconic, native wildlife species in Wyoming. Their geographic range is limited to the Great Plains, and they are sensitive to land development and other anthropogenic habitat disturbances. Traditionally, pronghorn are not considered a major threat to the health of cattle or bison, and they are widely tolerated on commercial operations. Our recent observations support the emergence of M. bovis as an important wildlife-livestock interface disease. Currently localized to one region of Wyoming, this disease has shown potential for rapid spread and cross-species transmission.
Our research involves genetic and genomic characterization of M. bovis isolates from various host species, in vitro investigation of host range and strain variation, and surveillance in free-ranging ungulates across Wyoming. We aim to better understand transmission risk and conservation implications to inform livestock producers, wildlife managers, biologists, veterinarians, conservation scientists, and other stakeholders.
Chronic wasting disease in Wyoming cervids
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of cervids (deer, elk, moose and reindeer) first identified in Colorado and now detected in 26 additional states, three Canadian provinces, Scandinavia, and the Republic of Korea. Studies have demonstrated chronic wasting disease (CWD) as a direct cause of population declines in Wyoming mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), where CWD prevalence in some hunt areas exceed 50%. Currently CWD prevalence in elk (Cervus canadensis) is notably lower than in sympatric deer; however, there is evidence that population-level impacts of CWD on elk are likely in absence of improved strategies for disease control.
While much progress has been made toward understanding CWD pathogenesis and transmission, an inability to detect CWD during early stages and through non-invasive sampling remain critical limitations. Real-time quaking induced conversion (RT-QuIC) is an ultrasensitive experimental prion amplification technique designed for rapid, high-throughput, detection of prions in a variety of sample types. This technique allows for enhanced early detection of prions, and is thus suited to support a variety of studies that aim to better understand many facets of CWD, including animal-to-animal/environment-to-animal transmission dynamics, pathogenesis, tissue tropism/trafficking, genetic susceptibility, epidemiology, and prion evolution and ecology. Working with established and experienced collaborators, the Malmberg Lab aims to develop and implement RT-QuIC to support multiple current and future CWD studies that strive to better understand and mitigate CWD in Wyoming.
Population genomics and CWD susceptibilty in elk
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease that afflicts elk (Cervis canadensis) and other cervid species. Currently, there is no known treatment for CWD; however, some cervid species have polymorphisms in the prion protein gene (PRNP) that result in slower disease progression. Individuals with the “slow” PRNP genotype live longer and therefore have more opportunities to reproduce than individuals with the “fast” PRNP genotype. In collaboration with the Wildlife Genomics & Disease Ecology Laboartory of Dr. Holly Ernest and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), we are studying the relationships between Wyoming elk connectivity, PRNP genotypes, and the distribution of CWD across the landscape. Specifically, we are using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data to identify genetic population units and characterize genetic connectivity in relation to natural and human-constructed landscape features, and aiming to relate these findings to CWD dynamics across the state of Wyoming.
Pneumonia in bighorn sheep
Pneumonia is considered to be the primary population-limiting factor for bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) across North America. This complex disease is associated with acute, all-age die-offs followed by herd-level maintenance of chronic infections and periods of low lamb recruitment that ultimately limit or drastically reduce population numbers. Multiple pathogens have been implicated in bighorn sheep pneumonia, and most die-offs are polymicrobial. Several bighorn sheep herds in Wyoming are known to carry important respiratory pathogens, such as Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and leukotoxigenic Pasteurellacae. However, the response to these pathogens differs across herds and across geographic regions. The Malmberg Lab provides pathology expertise for bighorn sheep pneumonia studies that aim to determine the role of interacting variables such as nutrition, habitat quality, micronutrient availability, and timing of parturition. Our work also supports studies that determine to better characterize respiratory pathogens of bighorn sheep using contemporary techniques such as whole genome sequencing and protein profiling via mass spectrometry.
Feline immunodeficiency virus in puma, bobcats and domestic cats
Most members of the Felidae family habor their own species-specific subtype of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Due to a long history of host-pathogen co-evolution, FIV is nonpathogenic in most large cats species. Because FIV evolves relatively rapidly and persists as a lifelong infection with causing clinical symptoms in puma (Puma concolor) and bobcat (Lynx rufus), the virus can be assessed as a marker of contact between populations or individuals, providing a means to assess host connectivity and population dynamics in these widely-ranging, elusive carnivores. In collaboration with the Sue VandeWoude Research Group at Colorado State University, we aim to investigate the ecology of various cat species through genetic and genomic characterization of FIV and other lentiviruses.
