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Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are an important game species throughout the geographic range. Populations throughout multiple regions of the US have been declining, including in Kentucky, US, raising concerns among managers and resource users. To better understand the overall population health, we performed postmortem examinations and targeted pathogen, mineral, and toxicant testing on 36 adult male, apparently healthy, wild turkeys that were hunter harvested in western Kentucky during April 2018. We found that birds were in fair to good nutritional condition with no significant gross or microscopic lesions. Ticks (Amblyomma spp.) and lice (three species) were present on 94 and 31% of birds, respectively. We commonly detected intestinal nematodes and cestodes and found coccidian oocysts in 39% and capillarid eggs in 6% of birds. The prevalences of lymphoproliferative disease virus and reticuloendotheliosis virus were 39 and 11%, respectively. Spleen samples tested with PCR were positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, Haemoproteus sp., and Leucocytozoon sp. in 11, 83, and 3%, respectively. Based on a subjective histologic assessment of testis tissues, most birds had widespread and abundant sperm present. Mineral analysis and broad toxicant screening on liver samples from 32 turkeys were unremarkable. Further work is needed to assess potential population risk factors and to determine individual- and population-level impacts of pathogens on adults and poults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging infectious diseases in wildlife species caused by pathogenic fungi are of growing concern, yet crucial knowledge gaps remain for diseases with potentially large impacts. For example, there is detailed knowledge about host pathology and mechanisms underlying response for chytridiomycosis in amphibians and white‐nose syndrome in bats, but such information is lacking for other more recently described fungal infections. One such disease is ophidiomycosis, caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, which has been identified in many species of snakes, yet the biological mechanisms and molecular changes occurring during infection are unknown. To gain this information, we performed a controlled experimental infection in captive Prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) with O. ophidiicola at two different temperatures: 20 and 26°C. We then compared liver, kidney, and skin transcriptomes to assess tissue‐specific genetic responses to O. ophidiicola infection. Given previous histopathological studies and the fact that snakes are ectotherms, we expected highest fungal activity on skin and a significant impact of temperature on host response. Although we found fungal activity to be localized on skin, most of the differential gene expression occurred in internal tissues. Infected snakes at the lower temperature had the highest host mortality whereas two‐thirds of the infected snakes at the higher temperature survived. Our results suggest that ophidiomycosis is likely a systemic disease with long‐term effects on host response. Our analysis also identified candidate protein coding genes that are potentially involved in host response, providing genetic tools for studies of host response to ophidiomycosis in natural populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is an important infectious disease caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola. To mitigate the disease's impact on individual snakes, a controlled clinical trial was conducted using terbinafine nebulization to treat snakes with ophidiomycosis. Fifty-three wild-caught Lake Erie watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum) with apparent ophidiomycosis (skin lesions present, qPCR positive for O. ophidiicola) were divided into treatment and control groups: treatment snakes were nebulized with a 2 mg/ml terbinafine solution for 30 min daily for 30 d; control snakes received nebulization with 0.9% saline or no nebulization. Weekly physical exams were conducted to assign disease severity scores based on the number, type, location, and size of lesions, and qPCR was repeated after each 30-d course of treatment. Persistently qPCR-positive snakes received multiple nebulization courses. Terbinafine nebulization showed mixed results as a treatment for ophidiomycosis: 29.2% of animals treated with terbinafine showed molecular resolution of external disease, based on antemortem swabbing, following 3–6 mon of daily nebulization; this was significantly more than with saline nebulization (5%), but molecular resolution also occurred in 11.1% of snakes that received no treatment. Terbinafine nebulization did not significantly decrease clinical disease, as measured by disease severity scores. Evaluating molecular response to treatment using fungal quantities, terbinafine nebulization significantly reduced fungal quantity after three or more courses of treatment. These results indicate that, although terbinafine nebulization is a promising treatment for ophidiomycosis, snakes may require multiple nebulization courses and disease may not always resolve completely, despite treatment. This treatment may be most useful in snakes from managed populations that can be treated for several months, rather than wild snakes who are not releasable after multiple months in captivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anticoagulants prevent clotting of blood samples and preserve cellular morphology for hematologic evaluations, but studies comparing anticoagulants are limited in snakes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of lithium heparin (LH) and dipotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on hematologic values in prairie rattlesnakes (PR; Crotalus viridis, n = 16) and Lake Erie water snakes (LEWS; Nerodia sipedon insularum, n = 21). Venipuncture was performed and blood samples were immediately aliquoted into LH and EDTA microtainers. Packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), 100-cell differential counts, and Avian Leukopet white blood cell counts (WBC) were determined for each anticoagulant. Passing–Bablok regression and Bland–Altman plots revealed that anticoagulant choice did not constantly or proportionally bias the values of any WBC parameter. Mixed models demonstrated that blood anticoagulated with EDTA had higher PCV in PR (P = 0.04) and TS in both species (P < 0.05). However, the magnitude of the differences attributable to anticoagulant choice was relatively small and likely not clinically important. Hemolysis was not appreciated in any samples. Our findings demonstrate that LH and EDTA are equally appropriate for use in PR and LEWS, but may require separate reference values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to establish a reliable method for the quantification of flubendazole and its metabolite, 2‐aminoflubendazole, in small‐volume canine plasma samples. Following liquid extraction with chloroform, samples were separated by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography on an XBridge C18 4.6 × 250 mm column (5 μm). Quantification was performed using ultraviolet detection at 246 nm. A mixture of 5 mM potassium phosphate monobasic and acetonitrile (72:28) was used as the mobile phase. The standard curve ranged from 2.5 to 1000 ng/mL. Intra‐ and interassay variance for flubendazole and 2‐aminoflubendazole was less than 6%, while the recovery ranged from 91 to 101%. The lower limit of quantification was 2.5 ng/mL. This method was successfully validated and applied to the analysis of flubendazole and 2‐aminoflubendazole samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola to which all snake species appear to be susceptible. Significant variation has been observed in clinical presentation, progression of disease, and response to treatment, which may be due to genetic variation in the causative agent. Recent phylogenetic analysis based on whole-genome sequencing identified that O. ophidiicola strains from the United States formed a clade distinct from European strains, and that multiple clonal lineages of the clade are present in the United States. The purpose of this study was to design a qPCR-based genotyping assay for O. ophidiicola, then apply that assay to swab-extracted DNA samples to investigate whether the multiple O. ophidiicola clades and clonal lineages in the United States have specific geographic, taxonomic, or temporal predilections. To this end, six full genome sequences of O. ophidiicola representing different clades and clonal lineages were aligned to identify genomic areas shared between subsets of the isolates. Eleven hydrolysis-based Taqman primer-probe sets were designed to amplify selected gene segments and produce unique amplification patterns for each isolate, each with a limit of detection of 10 or fewer copies of the target sequence and an amplification efficiency of 90–110%. The qPCR-based approach was validated using samples from strains known to belong to specific clades and applied to swab-extracted O. ophidiicola DNA samples from multiple snake species, states, and years. When compared to full-genome sequencing, the qPCR-based genotyping assay assigned 75% of samples to the same major clade (Cohen's kappa = 0.360, 95% Confidence Interval = 0.154–0.567) with 67–77% sensitivity and 88–100% specificity, depending on clade/clonal lineage. Swab-extracted O. ophidiicola DNA samples from across the United States were assigned to six different clonal lineages, including four of the six established lineages and two newly defined groups, which likely represent recombinant strains of O. ophidiicola. Using multinomial logistic regression modeling to predict clade based on snake taxonomic group, state of origin, and year of collection, state was the most significant predictor of clonal lineage. Furthermore, clonal lineage was not associated with disease severity in the most intensely sampled species, the Lake Erie watersnake (Nerodia sipedon insularum). Overall, this assay represents a rapid, cost-effective genotyping method for O. ophidiicola that can be used to better understand the epidemiology of ophidiomycosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clear evidence indicates that college women perpetrate physical dating violence at rates similar to or higher than men. However, programs focused on preventing physical dating violence perpetration by women are scarce. We propose that the misperception that physical perpetration is a male-dominated problem contributes to this lack of emphasis on preventing women's physical violence. We believe that failing to focus on programming that targets women's perpetration further contributes to the misperception that men are the primary perpetrators of violence and limits our prevention efforts. We suggest possible solutions to address this misperception and aid in the implementation of female-inclusive violence programming., Author(s): Ryan C. Shorey[sup.1] , Catherine V. Strauss[sup.1] , Ellen Haynes[sup.1] , Tara L. Cornelius[sup.2] , Gregory L. Stuart[sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Psychology, Ohio University, 239 Porter Hall, [...]

Over the last four decades, Barred Owls (Strix varia) have expanded their range to include much of western North America, including California. This expansion is suspected to have contributed to declining populations of a closely related species, the federally threatened Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). As a result, understanding potential health threats to Barred Owls has implications for Spotted Owl health and recovery. From 2016 to 2020, 69 Barred Owls were collected to determine the apparent prevalence of periorbital nematode infection, to identify the parasite species present, and to investigate the potential pathologic effects on their hosts. The nematodes were morphologically identified as Oxyspirura and Aprocta spp. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses, they were clearly divergent from published sequences of other species within these genera. Overall, 34 (49%) Barred Owls were infected with periorbital nematodes, with Oxyspirura sp. infections being much more common (94%) than Aprocta sp. (18%). Histopathology revealed varying severity of conjunctivitis in infected owls. Despite the frequency of infection and subsequent inflammation, parasite burden was not associated with reduced body weight in these owls. As a result, the potential health effect of these nematodes is unclear. Further taxonomic characterization is needed to determine potential novelty of these nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess infection with or exposure to endo- and ectoparasites in Alaska brown bears (Ursus arctos), blood and fecal samples were collected during 2013–17 from five locations: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve; Katmai National Park; Lake Clark National Park and Preserve; Yakutat Forelands; and Kodiak Island. Standard fecal centrifugal flotation was used to screen for gastrointestinal parasites, molecular techniques were used to test blood for the presence of Bartonella and Babesia spp., and an ELISA was used to detect antibodies reactive to Sarcoptes scabiei, a species of mite recently associated with mange in American black bears (Ursus americanus). From fecal flotations (n=160), we identified the following helminth eggs: Uncinaria sp. (n=16, 10.0%), Baylisascaris sp. (n=5, 3.1%), Dibothriocephalus sp. (n=2, 1.2%), and taeniid-type eggs (n=1, 0.6%). Molecular screening for intraerythrocytic parasites (Babesia spp.) and intracellular bacteria (Bartonella spp.) was negative for all bears tested. We detected antibodies to S. scabiei in six of 59 (10.2%) individuals. The relatively low level of parasite detection in this study meets expectations for brown bear populations living in large, relatively undisturbed habitats near the northern edge of the range. These results provide a contemporary understanding of parasites in Alaska brown bears and establish baseline levels of parasite presence to monitor for changes over time and relative to ecologic alterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm) is a parasitic nematode that can cause the debilitating disease dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) in humans. The global Guinea Worm Eradication Program has led intervention and eradication efforts since the 1980s, and Guinea worm infections in people have decreased >99.99%. With the final goal of eradication drawing nearer, reports of animal infections from some remaining endemic countries pose unique challenges. Currently, confirmation of suspected Guinea worm infection relies on conventional molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is not specific to Guinea worm and, therefore, requires sequencing of the PCR products to confirm the identity of suspect samples, a process that often takes a few weeks. To decrease the time required for species confirmation, we developed a quantitative PCR assay targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene of Guinea worm. Our assay has a limit of detection of 10 copies per reaction. The mean analytical parameters (± SE) were as follows: efficiency = 93.4 ± 7.7%, y-intercept = 40.93 ± 1.11, slope = -3.4896 ± 0.12, and the R2 = 0.999 ± 0.004. The assay did not amplify other nematodes found in Guinea worm-endemic regions and demonstrated 100% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Implementation of this quantitative PCR assay for Guinea worm identification could eliminate the need for DNA sequencing to confirm species. Thus, this approach can be implemented to provide more rapid confirmation of Guinea worm infections, leading to faster execution of Guinea worm interventions while increasing our understanding of infection patterns. Author summary: Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis) is a parasitic nematode that causes debilitating disease in humans. The Guinea Worm Eradication Program would benefit from having a rapid molecular test that can confirm species identification without time-consuming DNA sequencing. We developed a qPCR protocol targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene of Guinea worm. The assay was validated analytically over 12 experiments using a standard serial dilution as well as diagnostically on DNA samples from non-target host species and other parasites (n = 180) and Guinea worm samples (n = 200) from a diversity of hosts and geographic regions. This assay could reliably detect 10 copies of the target DNA sequence and had a mean efficiency of 93.4% with 100% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease; SFD) is a disease of conservation concern caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola that threatens the health of snake populations worldwide. Gaps exist in our knowledge about the prevalence of this disease across landscapes. In our study, we compared the prevalence of ophidiomycosis between a low-impacted forest site (n = 93) and a highly disturbed remediated landfill (n = 53) in Anderson County, Tennessee, USA. Free-ranging snakes were examined for the presence of skin lesions that are consistent with ophidiomycosis and were swabbed to detect O. ophidiicola DNA using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Apparent ophidiomycosis (qPCR-positive and skin lesions present) was diagnosed at both sites, but there was no significant difference in prevalence between the two sites (24.7% at the forest site; 22.6% at the landfill site). Apparent ophidiomycosis was most prevalent in Racers (38%; Coluber constrictor) and Ring-Necked Snakes (26%; Diadophis punctatus). There was no difference in ophidiomycosis status between sites for the most-sampled species: Racers, Black Rat Snakes (Pantherophis obsoletus), and Ring-necked Snakes (Diadophis punctatus). Our study represents the first report of ophidiomycosis at focal sites in Tennessee. The findings suggest that O. ophidiicola may be ubiquitous across the landscape and point to the need for further study of diverse habitat types for the prevalence of O. ophidiicola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophidiomycosis, caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, poses a threat to the health of wild and managed snakes worldwide. Variation in snake innate immunity, the primary defense against infection in reptiles, may explain the observed variation in ophidiomycosis clinical disease severity among snakes. In this study, two components of the innate immune response were examined in snake plasma. We investigated whether complement activity, as measured by sheep red blood cell hemolysis, and chitotriosidase activity were associated with ophidiomycosis disease severity and time in captivity in Lake Erie watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum). There was no difference in complement-mediated hemolysis or chitotriosidase activities between snakes with varying levels of ophidiomycosis clinical severity sampled in the field. However, among snakes with skin lesions kept in captivity, chitotriosidase activity was significantly higher in snakes with mild disease, compared with snakes with severe disease, and hemolysis activity increased with time in captivity. Overall, Lake Erie watersnakes had higher complement activity, but lower chitotriosidase activity, compared with other reptile species. To our knowledge, this study is the first to describe chitotriosidase activity in a snake species. These results provide mixed evidence of associations between innate immune function and ophidiomycosis severity, and more work is needed to investigate differences among snake species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophidiomycosis, caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, is an infectious disease of wild and managed snakes worldwide. Lake Erie watersnakes (LEWS; Nerodia sipedon insularum) were listed as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act from 1999 to 2011 and were first diagnosed with ophidiomycosis in 2009. Our objective was to characterize the epidemiology of ophidiomycosis in LEWS. We hypothesized that the prevalence of skin lesions, O. ophidiicola DNA, and ophidiomycosis disease categories would show spatial and temporal variation and clustering, with higher prevalence at sites with greater human disturbance and prevalence increasing over time. Snakes were captured via visual encounter surveys at five sites across four islands and visually inspected for skin lesions suggestive of ophidiomycosis; then body swabs were collected to detect O. ophidiicola DNA using quantitative PCR. Each snake was assigned an ophidiomycosis category based on the presence of skin lesions and O. ophidiicola. We evaluated 837 LEWS between 2017 and 2020 and detected ophidiomycosis at all five sites. Logistic regression analysis showed temporal and spatial variation in disease, with higher risk of apparent ophidiomycosis (lesions present and O. ophidiicola detected) at Kelleys Island State Park, compared to all other sites; in May, compared to July; and in 2019, compared to 2018. The presence of emerging herbaceous wetlands, urban land change, and certain soil types increased the odds of both lesion presence and quantitative PCR detection of O. ophidiicola. Overall, ophidiomycosis epidemiology varied among sites: the disease appeared to be endemic at most sites and emerging at one site. Ongoing efforts to monitor population health and mortality associated with disease prevalence are needed to inform mitigation aimed at reducing the impact of ophidiomycosis in LEWS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat loss, human persecution, and infectious diseases all threaten declining reptile populations. Lake Erie watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum, LEWS), once classified as an endangered species in part due to human persecution, have recovered to stable population levels but have been observed with a high prevalence of ophidiomycosis. Strategies are needed to mitigate the current disease threat, including assessing overall wellness. Hematologic analysis provides information about the presence of inflammation and infection and thus informs health-based conservation efforts, but has not been previously performed in LEWS. The objective of this study was to evaluate hematologic parameters in LEWS and identify differences based on ophidiomycosis status. Blood was drawn from wild-caught snakes at nine sites in 2018 and 2019 and complete blood counts were performed in 180 individuals. For apparently healthy snakes, packed cell volume was significantly higher in males (median = 32.5%) compared to females (median = 26.5%; P = 0.03). Animals classified as having possible or apparent ophidiomycosis, or those with skin lesions, had a relative azurophilia and lymphopenia compared to individuals classified as negative or Ophidiomyces present, or those without skin lesions (P < 0.01). This is the first study to investigate hematology in a free-ranging population of LEWS and will serve as a baseline for future investigations that aim to improve conservation efforts through population health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophidiomycosis, an infectious disease of snakes caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, is known to cause skin lesions and, in some cases, deeper infections, and even death. It has been documented in captive snakes worldwide and in free-ranging snakes in the United States and Europe. Diagnostic limitations have impeded characterization of the epidemiology of this disease and subsequent efforts to improve clinical care and conservation outcomes. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of qPCR of snake sheds as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for the detection of O. ophidiicola, compared to swabs prior to and following the shed. We tested shed pieces from grossly observed skin lesions or mid body sections if disease was not obvious, and matched skin swabs from 68 animals using a qPCR assay specific for O. ophidiicola. There was nearly complete agreement between the qPCR results of sheds and swabs (Cohen's kappa = 0.97) and sheds were 100% sensitive and 97% specific for apparent ophidiomycosis, with a 97% negative predictive value and a 100% positive predictive value. Our results indicate that qPCR of snake sheds is a reliable detection method for the presence of O. ophidiicola, as this technique has high agreement with peri-ecdysis skin swabbing. Although this technique can be used for noninvasive pathogen detection in captive individuals with known histories, results from snake sheds from free-ranging animals with no knowledge of associated clinical signs should be interpreted with caution and additional surveillance is necessary in these cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophidiomycosis, commonly called snake fungal disease, has been linked to significant morbidity of free-ranging snakes in North America and Europe. Diagnosis of ophidiomycosis currently requires detection of skin lesions via physical exam or characteristic histopathology as well as detection of the causative agent, Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, through quantitative (q)PCR or fungal culture of a skin swab or tissue sample. While reliable, these methods require specialized training, invasive procedures (e.g., biopsy), and several days or weeks to receive results. Additionally, screening entire populations can quickly become costly. A fast, easy-to-use, cost-efficient, and sensitive screening tool is needed to optimize conservation strategies and treatment intervention. Our objective was to investigate the association between skin fluorescence under long-wave ultraviolet (UV) light (365 nm) and the detection of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola DNA using qPCR. Fifty-eight Lake Erie watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum) collected in June of 2018 and 2019 from islands in western Lake Erie, Ottawa County, Ohio, US were visually inspected for skin lesions, photographed under natural light and UV light, and swabbed for qPCR analysis. Fluorescence was highly associated with the presence of skin lesions, and the presence of at least one fluorescent skin lesion was 86% sensitive and 100% specific for identifying animals with apparent ophidiomycosis, with a positive predictive value of 100%. While we recommend performing standard diagnostics along with fluorescence, our study supports the use of visual UV fluorescence identification as a preliminary, affordable, noninvasive, and field-applicable method to screen populations for ophidiomycosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread of both infectious and noninfectious diseases through wildlife populations is of increasing concern. Neoplastic diseases are rarely associated with population-level impacts in wildlife; however, impacts on individual health can be severe and might reflect deteriorating environmental conditions. An adult male free-ranging Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) originally captured in 2005 and deemed healthy, was recaptured in 2018 with a 1 × 1.5 cm intra-oral broad-based right mandibular mass. An excisional biopsy was performed, and histopathology revealed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Consensus herpesvirus PCR identified a novel herpesvirus (proposed name Emydoidea herpesvirus 2 [EBHV-2]) within the tumor. EBHV-2 shares 85% sequence homology with Terrapene herpesvirus 2 (TerHV-2), a herpesvirus linked to fibropapillomas in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). Virus-associated fibropapillomas have been identified in multiple marine turtle species and have had debilitating effects on their populations, but to date, virus-associated SCCs are rarely reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is an emerging threat to snake health worldwide. We report a case of disseminated ophidiomycosis in a California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) from Plymouth, Amador County, California, US, which is the first report of the disease in this species and in a free-ranging snake in California. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife disease surveillance and pathogen detection are fundamental for conservation, population sustainability, and public health. Detection of pathogens in snakes is often overlooked despite their essential roles as both predators and prey within their communities. Ophidiomycosis (formerly referred to as Snake Fungal Disease, SFD), an emergent disease on the North American landscape caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, poses a threat to snake population health and stability. We tested 657 individual snakes representing 58 species in 31 states from 56 military bases in the continental US and Puerto Rico for O. ophiodiicola. Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola DNA was detected in samples from 113 snakes for a prevalence of 17.2% (95% CI: 14.4–20.3%), representing 25 species from 19 states/territories, including the first reports of the pathogen in snakes in Idaho, Oklahoma, and Puerto Rico. Most animals were ophidiomycosis negative (n = 462), with Ophidiomyces detected by qPCR (n = 64), possible ophidiomycosis (n = 82), and apparent ophidiomycosis (n = 49) occurring less frequently. Adults had 2.38 times greater odds than juveniles of being diagnosed with ophidiomycosis. Snakes from Georgia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia all had greater odds of ophidiomycosis diagnosis, while snakes from Idaho were less likely to be diagnosed with ophidiomycosis. The results of this survey indicate that this pathogen is endemic in the eastern US and identified new sites that could represent emergence or improved detection of endemic sites. The direct mortality of snakes with ophidiomycosis is unknown from this study, but the presence of numerous individuals with clinical disease warrants further investigation and possible conservation action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophidiomycosis threatens snakes worldwide. We swabbed free-ranging Lake Erie watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum) for quantitative PCR detection of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola before and after group and individual holding in pillowcases. Our results indicate that group, rather than individual, holding does not significantly increase detection of O. ophidiicola DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, most dating violence research has focused on physical aggression and has left stalking behaviors largely unexamined, despite evidence that stalking of an intimate partner occurs with high frequency. Moreover, the extent to which stalking victimization has the same negative mental health consequences as other forms of dating violence is unclear. Thus, using a sample of male and female undergraduate students in current dating relationships (N = 357), the association between stalking victimization and alcohol and drug use was explored. Results indicated that for both men and women, stalking victimization from a dating partner was related to alcohol and drug use, even after controlling for age, gender, length of dating relationship, and physical aggression victimization. These preliminary findings suggest that stalking victimization is associated with deleterious consequences; thus, additional research is needed to better understand the longitudinal, long-term consequences of stalking victimization. Additional implications and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife diseases have posed a significant challenge to the conservation of many species in recent years. Diseases have been implicated in population declines over large geographic areas, with severe disease outbreaks leading to either local or complete extinctions of wild populations. Ophidiomycosis, commonly known as snake fungal disease, is caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, which has been documented in snake populations across the eastern and southern United States. We collected swab samples from the federally threatened Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) in populations across the species’ Georgia range. We used quantitative PCR to determine the presence of O. ophiodiicola DNA and also recorded skin abnormalities characteristic of ophidiomycosis. From 1 September 2016 to 4 August 2018, Eastern Indigo Snakes tested positive for O. ophiodiicola DNA on 47 of 107 occasions (43.9%) and tested negative for fungal DNA but had skin lesions consistent with ophidiomycosis on 42 occasions (39.3%). Symptomatic and qPCR positive individuals were more likely to be encountered during January and February when compared to November and December. We found no effect of sex (p = 0.517), age-class (p = 0.106), or body size (snout-vent length: p = 0.083; mass: p = 0.206; body condition: p = 0.063) on ophidiomycosis status. Over the two-year study, we encountered individuals in which infection was clearly negatively impacting overall health and also documented individuals in which infection apparently cleared from one year to the next. These results demonstrate that O. ophiodiicola and lesions characteristic of ophidiomycosis are widespread in Georgia’s Eastern Indigo Snake populations. However, there are many unanswered questions regarding this disease, including the effects of disease on populations and individuals, the presence of infection vectors, and the change in prevalence over time. More research is needed to address ophidiomycosis and understand its impacts on ongoing conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports the first confirmed occurrence of the fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in Indiana, indicating its potential spread in the region. Topics discussed include the sampling methodology for detecting snake fungal disease (SFD), prevalence rates across different snake species, and recommendations for biosecurity measures to prevent pathogen transmission.

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) and domestic and/or sexual violence (DSV) co-occur at high rates. Although some studies have examined sober living homes (SLHs), no research to date has evaluated SLHs specifically designed for women with histories of SUDS and DSV. Objective: The purpose of this article is to present data from an exploratory analysis of the association between sense of community (SOC) and mental health symptoms within a unique trauma-informed and gender-responsive SLH (i.e., Support, Education, Empowerment, and Directions [SEEDs]). Method: Participants included current or former residents of SEEDs (N = 28) who completed surveys assessing SOC and mental health symptoms. The sample was predominantly White (85.7%), heterosexual (64.3%), low income (71.4% < $20,000 per year), had children (67.9%), and reported a history of incarceration (71.4%). Results: On average women reported high levels of SOC. Higher SOC was related to lower posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms and higher coping self-efficacy and sexual assault resistance self-efficacy, with large effect sizes. Conclusions: Trauma-informed SLHs may promote positive mental health symptoms for women with histories of DSV and SUDs via SOC. Additional research is needed to more rigorously evaluate these preliminary findings. Further, longitudinal, prospective research is needed to better understand the process by which SOC develops and mechanisms by which SOC promotes (and/or is impacted by) positive mental health symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study sought to examine whether drinking motives (i.e., coping, social, conformity, and enhancement) moderated the relationship between physical, sexual, and psychological dating violence victimization and alcohol-related problems in a sample of drinking college women (N = 177). Results demonstrated that coping and social drinking motives moderated the relationship between sexual victimization and alcohol problems; conformity, social, and enhancement drinking motives moderated the relationship between alcohol-related problems and physical victimization; no significant findings were evident for psychological aggression victimization. Our results partially support the self-medication model of alcohol use, and this may be particularly relevant to sexual victimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Substance use disorders are understood as a chronically relapsing condition that is difficult to treat. However, in recent years there have been promising developments in the treatment of substance use disorders, specifically with interventions based on mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapy. Little research has examined whether these types of interventions may positively impact residential substance use treatment outcomes. Objectives: Thus, in the current study we developed and examined, in a randomized controlled trial, a 4-week, eight-session, adjunctive mindfulness and acceptance group therapy for patients in residential substance use treatment. Our primary outcomes were substance use cravings, psychological flexibility, and dispositional mindfulness at treatment discharge. Methods: Patients (N = 117) from a private residential substance use facility were randomized to receive the adjunctive mindfulness and acceptance group or treatment-as-usual. Patients were assessed at treatment intake and at discharge from a 28–30-day residential program. Results: Although treatment groups did not statistically differ at discharge on any primary outcome, small effect sizes favored the mindfulness and acceptance group on cravings and psychological flexibility. Conclusions/Importance: Continued research is needed to determine whether the addition of mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions improve outcomes long term following residential substance use treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUDs) and domestic and/or sexual violence (DSV) in the lives of women, there remains a dearth of research on how and why these phenomena intersect as well as the role that trauma-informed sober living homes (SLHs) may play in promoting recovery. Following a detailed description of a unique trauma-informed SLH (Support, Education, Empowerment, and Directions [SEEDs]), we present findings from a qualitative study that documented the perceptions and lived experiences of 28 female current or former residents of a trauma-informed SLH; all women had histories of SUDs and DSV. Results uncovered four themes (fractured foundations, points of intersection of SUDs and DSV, pervasiveness of SUDS and DSV, resiliency) and a constitutive pattern (moving away from instability and harnessing self-agency). Women noted that their engagement with SEEDs played a significant role in their recovery, specifically through fulfilling their needs for tangible resources (e.g., food, clothing, shelter) and the community’s provision of emotional support (e.g., family, love, consistency) to promote recovery. These findings provide new insights on SUDs and DSV and preliminary support for the effectiveness of a trauma-informed SLH. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensi s) infection has historically been a concern for humans, with parasite transmission occurring through drinking water containing infected cyclopoid copepods. However, infections in domestic dogs and cats in Chad, Africa increased between 2015 and 2021, and the epidemiology of these infections suggests that parasite transmission may also occur through ingestion of infected paratenic and transport hosts such as fish, reptiles, and amphibians. While previous work has examined transmission in domestic dogs, little is known about routes of transmission in domestic cats. In this study, we used animal-borne video cameras (Crittercams) provided by National Geographic's Exploration Technology Lab to document the nighttime behaviors of domestic cats in Chad. Our objective was to identify cat and human behaviors that may be contributing to Guinea worm transmission. Cameras were deployed on 11 owned cats in August 2018 and videos were examined to identify risky behaviors, including stalking and capturing prey, scavenging, being fed by humans, and drinking water. Guinea worm infection data for individual cats was collected from owners; infection data for each village was collected from the Chadian National Guinea Worm Eradication Program (GWEP). Nine cats were observed eating items such as insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, rodents, and millet-based grain balls; 8 cats were observed scavenging; 6 cats were observed stalking and capturing prey; 4 cats were observed being fed fish or grain balls by humans; and 5 cats were observed drinking water. Cats demonstrated risky behaviors on 14 of the 17 recorded nights and 10 of the 11 enrolled cats demonstrated at least one risky behavior. Cats were observed engaging in risky behaviors between 0 and 20 times per night: cats scavenged up to 11 times per night, ate up to 10 times per night, and hunted up to four prey items per night. Three of the enrolled cats were owner-reported to have a previous Guinea worm infection; one cat infection per village was reported to the GWEP. Overall, we successfully used Crittercams to document behaviors that could be associated with Guinea worm transmission in cats. Additional work is needed to determine the role of these behaviors in transmission of D. medinensis , and specifically, whether behaviors within the household increase opportunities for transmission to cats. • Animal-borne cameras used in domestic cats in Chad, Africa to record activities. • Recorded cat behaviors included hunting, eating, and drinking. • Cats were fed fish by humans and ate a variety of prey items. • Cat and human behaviors may be associated with Guinea worm transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol use disorders are among the most common mental health disorders in the world and incur considerable costs for individuals and society. Previous research has demonstrated that perceived social support (PSS) may decrease rates of depression and relapse in individuals seeking treatment for alcohol use. The current study developed and investigated a self-report measure for perceived social support for sobriety from alcohol (PSSA) in a sample of men and women in residential treatment for substance use (N = 231), and examined the relationship between general or alcohol-specific perceived social support and depression. Analyses demonstrated sound factor structure, reliability, and validity for the PSSA. Additionally, the new measure of PSS for alcohol sobriety was negatively and uniquely associated with depression, even after controlling for general PSS, enacted social support, and negative social interactions. Overall, findings demonstrated that the PSSA was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, even after accounting for other known correlates of depression. Future research should replicate and extend these findings and examine whether this new measure predicts abstinence from alcohol following treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Dating violence is a serious and prevalent problem on college campuses. Although there is a robust literature documenting that alcohol use is consistently associated with increased risk for perpetrating dating violence, little research has examined the role of cannabis in dating violence perpetration. With increasing legalisation of cannabis throughout the world, it is imperative to understand what role, if any, cannabis may play in the important public health problem of dating violence. In this commentary, we discuss the current state of the research on cannabis and dating violence and suggest avenues for additional research in this area. It is critical that we conduct methodologically sound research on the association between cannabis and dating violence so that we can understand what role, if any, cannabis exerts on this important problem. [Shorey RC, Haynes E, Strauss C, Temple JR, Stuart GL. Cannabis use and dating violence among college students: A call for research. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:17-19]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the association between rehabilitation outcome (released vs. died or euthanized) and admission weight for apparently healthy juvenile American robins (Turdus migratorius) rehabilitated at Willowbrook Wildlife Center (WWC), Glen Ellyn, Illinois, United States from 2008 to 2011. The overall release rate for study robins was 47% (n = 688; 95% confidence interval 43-51%) and the median admission weight for released study robins (45g) was significantly higher than that for study robins that died or were euthanized (40 g) (P < 0.0001). This finding was likely due to heavier birds being healthier or older and, therefore, more able to survive the stresses of the rehabilitation process. We could not determine a weight cut-off for initial admittance of juvenile robins for rehabilitation that might optimize release success, as no obvious cut-off was observed on the receiver operating characteristic curve. Overall, weight was not a conclusive predictor of rehabilitation outcome. This study is one example of how analysis of wildlife rehabilitation data provides valuable information about the success rate of rehabilitation efforts and how to best allocate wildlife rehabilitators' efforts to maximize release rates [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]