Wild pigs dig up sources of anthrax infection

Rachel Mason, a researcher in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Colorado,

analyzed 478 blood samples from wild pigsfrom the archives of the USDA National Wildlife Research Center. Half of them were obtained in the so-called anthrax triangle, an area in southwest Texas where outbreaks of the disease in animals are most common. The remaining samples were taken from wild pigs living in other areas of Texas.

The results showed higher levels of antibodiesin the blood of pigs living in the anthrax triangle. Antibodies to the disease in smaller quantities have also been found in the blood of other animals. Scientists believe that this indicates the spread of the disease outside the danger zone.

About half of the 6 million feral pigs in the USnative to Texas, and although they spend a lot of time digging in the soil, these animals are mostly resistant to anthrax. They can carry the disease, but they themselves do not become infected.

The study reported that wild pigsmove over a relatively small area. Each animal inhabits an area ranging in size from 1 to 5 km2. This property will help to localize the territory of the spread of the disease with a sufficiently high accuracy.

“Diagnosis of zones of anthrax infection is alwayswas difficult. If you don't take soil samples all over the place, you'll never find bacteria in the soil, Mason says. “So, you will find out about the disease too late, when pets start dying. By testing the blood of feral pigs for antibodies against anthrax, we can understand in advance the possible direction of spread and take the necessary measures.”

Anthrax is caused by the bacteria Bacillusanthracis. This is a rare but dangerous disease. The infection can be transmitted to humans, and outbreaks occur from time to time in wild and domestic animal populations.

Anthrax infection can occur wheninhaling bacteria, eating contaminated food, or through wounds on the body. Ruminant species such as cattle and deer are highly susceptible to the disease. A small amount of spores is sufficient for the disease of these animals, which ends in death. After the decomposition of the bodies, the bacteria enter the soil.

The second source of spread can be predatory animals that are immune to anthrax. After eating contaminated meat, they spread the bacteria through their waste products.

When exposed to oxygen, bacterial cellsBacillus anthracis go into a dormant state and turn into highly resistant spores. Because of this, bacteria can remain in the soil for a long time before entering the body of a new animal.

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