Evaluating pathogens in North American  gray wolves  

Researchers investigated geographic trends in seroprevalence across North American wolf populations. The dataset consisted of nearly 2000 wolves from 17 study areas, spanning 80° longitude and 50° latitude.

Predictive modesl were constructed to understand the probability of canine adenovirus, herpesvirus, parvovirus, and distemper virus-and two parasites: Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii.

The results showed that Canine adenovirus and herpesvirus were the most widely distributed pathogens while N. caninum was uncommon. Canine parvovirus and distemper had high annual variation, with western populations experiencing more frequent outbreaks than eastern populations.

Seroprevalence of pathogens increased with the wolves’ age and the denser wolf populations. There was a higher probability of exposure with human density, suggesting that dogs may be important pathogen reservoirs.

Wolves from the Great Lakes region had lower odds of exposure to the viruses, but higher odds of exposure to N. caninum and T. gondii. The opposite was true for wolves from the central Rocky Mountains.

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Patterns and processes of pathogen exposure in gray wolves across North America