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Is the development of infectious keratoconjunctivitis in Alpine ibex and Alpine chamois influenced by topographic features?

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Abstract

Infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) caused by Mycoplasma conjunctivae is a widespread ocular affection of free-ranging Caprinae in the Alpine arc. Along with host and pathogen characteristics, it has been hypothesized that environmental factors such as UV light are involved in the onset and course of the disease. This study aimed at evaluating the role of topographic features as predisposing or aggravating factors for IKC in Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra) and Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex). Geospatial analysis was performed to assess the effect of aspect (northness) and elevation on the severity of the disease as well as on the mycoplasmal load in the eyes of affected animals, using data from 723 ibex and chamois (583 healthy animals, 105 IKC-affected animals, and 35 asymptomatic carriers of M. conjunctivae), all sampled in the Swiss Alps between 2008 and 2010. An influence of northness was not found, except that ibex with moderate and severe signs of IKC seem to prefer more north-oriented slopes than individuals without corneal lesions, possibly hinting at a sunlight sensitivity consequent to the disease. In contrast, results suggest that elevation influences the disease course in both ibex and chamois, which could be due to altitude-associated environmental conditions such as UV radiation, cold, and dryness. The results of this study support the hypothesis that environmental factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of IKC.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the cantonal hunting authorities of the study regions for their participation in this study and the state game keepers, hunters, and collaborators of the Swiss National Park for collecting the samples. Many thanks to J. Frey (Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Bern, Switzerland) for the logistical support, E. Pesenti (KORA, Switzerland) for the statistical advice, and C. Willisch (FaunAlpin GmbH, Switzerland) and H. Segner (Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Switzerland) for the critical reading of the manuscript. This study was funded by the Swiss Federal Office of the Environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, PO Box 8466, CH-3001, Bern, Switzerland

    Fabien Mavrot & Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis

  2. KORA, Thunstrasse 31, CH-3074, Muri, Switzerland

    Fridolin Zimmermann

  3. Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, PO Box 8466, CH-3001, Bern, Switzerland

    Edy M. Vilei

Authors
  1. Fabien Mavrot
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  2. Fridolin Zimmermann
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  3. Edy M. Vilei
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  4. Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis
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Correspondence to Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis.

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Communicated by C. Gortázar

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Mavrot, F., Zimmermann, F., Vilei, E.M. et al. Is the development of infectious keratoconjunctivitis in Alpine ibex and Alpine chamois influenced by topographic features?. Eur J Wildl Res 58, 869–874 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-012-0651-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-012-0651-1

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