The European polecat ( Mustela putorius ) almost became extinct in Britain in the early twentieth century, but populations are now recovering. As seen in other endangered carnivore populations, disease is one potential threat to recovery. This study assessed exposure of wild polecats ( n = 149) to three, multi-host pathogens which could limit reproduction and/or cause morbidity and mortality. Serum, lung and brain samples were collected from polecats which died from 2011 to 2016 across Britain. Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii and 12 Leptospira serovars was assessed serologically by antibody detection using the latex agglutination test and microscopic agglutination test, respectively, and the presence of canine distemper virus (CDV) RNA in lung and brain tissue samples was assessed using PCR. Generalised linear models were used to test for relationships between exposure to each pathogen and season, sex, age, and location. All organ samples tested PCR negative for CDV (95% CI 0.00–0.05%). There was evidence of frequent exposure to T. gondii with a recorded seroprevalence of 71.8% (95% CI 64.2–79.4%) and moderate exposure to Leptospira serovars, 14.5% (95% CI 8.6–20.4%). Season, sex, age, and location were not significantly associated with exposure to T. gondii or Leptospira serovars. Evidence of exposure to T. gondii and Leptospira serovars in European polecats could potentially affect mortality, longevity or fecundity. Further studies are warranted to assess the impact of these pathogens on polecat populations in Britain.

中文翻译：

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调查传染病对英国欧洲野猫康复的威胁

欧洲野猫（ Mustela putorius ）在二十世纪初几乎在英国灭绝，但现在数量正在恢复。正如在其他濒临灭绝的食肉动物种群中所见，疾病是恢复的潜在威胁之一。该研究评估了野猫科动物 (n = 149) 对三种多宿主病原体的暴露情况，这些病原体可能会限制繁殖和/或导致发病率和死亡率。血清、肺和大脑样本是从 2011 年至 2016 年在英国死亡的北极猫身上收集的。分别使用乳胶凝集试验和显微镜凝集试验通过抗体检测对弓形虫和 12 种钩端螺旋体血清型的暴露进行血清学评估，并使用 PCR 评估肺和脑组织样本中犬瘟热病毒 (CDV) RNA 的存在。使用广义线性模型来测试暴露于每种病原体与季节、性别、年龄和位置之间的关系。所有器官样本均检测出 CDV 的 PCR 阴性（95% CI 0.00–0.05%）。有证据表明经常接触弓形虫，记录的血清阳性率为 71.8% (95% CI 64.2–79.4%)，中度接触钩端螺旋体血清型为 14.5% (95% CI 8.6–20.4%)。季节、性别、年龄和地点与接触弓形虫或钩端螺旋体血清型没有显着相关性。欧洲野猫接触弓形虫和钩端螺旋体血清型的证据可能会影响死亡率、寿命或繁殖力。需要进一步研究来评估这些病原体对英国野猫种群的影响。所有器官样本均检测出 CDV 的 PCR 阴性（95% CI 0.00–0.05%）。有证据表明经常接触弓形虫，记录的血清阳性率为 71.8% (95% CI 64.2–79.4%)，中度接触钩端螺旋体血清型为 14.5% (95% CI 8.6–20.4%)。季节、性别、年龄和地点与接触弓形虫或钩端螺旋体血清型没有显着相关性。欧洲野猫接触弓形虫和钩端螺旋体血清型的证据可能会影响死亡率、寿命或繁殖力。需要进一步研究来评估这些病原体对英国野猫种群的影响。所有器官样本均检测出 CDV 的 PCR 阴性（95% CI 0.00–0.05%）。有证据表明经常接触弓形虫，记录的血清阳性率为 71.8% (95% CI 64.2–79.4%)，中度接触钩端螺旋体血清型为 14.5% (95% CI 8.6–20.4%)。季节、性别、年龄和地点与接触弓形虫或钩端螺旋体血清型没有显着相关性。欧洲野猫接触弓形虫和钩端螺旋体血清型的证据可能会影响死亡率、寿命或繁殖力。需要进一步研究来评估这些病原体对英国野猫种群的影响。和位置与接触弓形虫或钩端螺旋体血清型没有显着相关性。欧洲野猫接触弓形虫和钩端螺旋体血清型的证据可能会影响死亡率、寿命或繁殖力。需要进一步研究来评估这些病原体对英国野猫种群的影响。和位置与接触弓形虫或钩端螺旋体血清型没有显着相关性。欧洲野猫接触弓形虫和钩端螺旋体血清型的证据可能会影响死亡率、寿命或繁殖力。需要进一步研究来评估这些病原体对英国野猫种群的影响。