Files and links (1)
CC BY-ND V4.0, Open Access
Thesis
Transmission and Lesion Progression of Treponeme-Associated Hoof Disease in Captive Elk (Cervus Canadensis)
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005029
Abstract
Treponeme-associated hoof disease (TAHD) is a debilitating disease of free-ranging elk (Cervus canadensis) in the northwestern U.S. While Treponema spp. is associated with lesions, the etiology and transmissibility between elk are unknown. Our objective was to determine whether the disease can be environmentally transmitted to captive elk. Four individually housed treatment elk and two control elk were challenged with soil mixed with inoculum prepared from free-ranging elk hooves from TAHD-positive elk or autoclaved hooves from normal elk, respectively. The challenge material for each group was applied to the interdigital space (IDS) and added to pre-existing soil in each stall. Eight challenges were conducted at 1–4-week intervals and lesion development was assessed during a 138-day challenge period that was followed by a 170-day monitoring period to document lesion progression. All treatment elk, but no control elk, developed gross and histologic lesions consistent with TAHD. Treponema spp. were detected using 16S amplicon sequencing from lesions in all treatment elk, but no control elk, during the challenge period. Lesions progressed from ulcerations in the interdigital space to extensive ulceration and underrunning of the hoof capsule by 35- and 173-days post-study initiation, respectively. Lameness in treatment elk was correlated to lesion development (R=0.702, p<0.001), and activity in infected elk was reduced during the challenge (p<0.001) and monitoring periods (p=0.004). Body condition at each individual elk’s study endpoint was significantly lower in treatment than control elk (p=0.006). Three of four treatment elk were euthanized when they reached humane endpoints, and one elk recovered. These results provide direct evidence that TAHD is a transmissible infectious disease in elk. As such, actions that reduce transmission risk can support disease management and prevention.
Metrics
4 File views/ downloads
38 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Transmission and Lesion Progression of Treponeme-Associated Hoof Disease in Captive Elk (Cervus Canadensis)
- Creators
- Zachary B Robinson
- Contributors
- Margaret A Wild (Advisor)Tarah S Sullivan (Committee Member)Devendra H Shah (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 82
- Identifiers
- 99901019537401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis