Identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria in Iberian Lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) and Their Impact on Its Health
The Iberian lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) population has been increasing in recent years thanks to the collaboration of several associations within the framework of the Life Lynxconnect project, which promotes captive breeding for the subsequent release of specimens into the environment. I...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Natalia Jiménez-Pizarro Beatriz Serrano Jorge Peña Rafael Barrera María Gil-Molino David Risco Javier Hermoso-de-Mendoza |
| author_facet | Natalia Jiménez-Pizarro Beatriz Serrano Jorge Peña Rafael Barrera María Gil-Molino David Risco Javier Hermoso-de-Mendoza |
| author_sort | Natalia Jiménez-Pizarro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Iberian lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) population has been increasing in recent years thanks to the collaboration of several associations within the framework of the Life Lynxconnect project, which promotes captive breeding for the subsequent release of specimens into the environment. It is therefore important to know their population status, the diseases to which these animals are exposed, and how they affect their repopulation. In this sense, this study aims to study how the presence of mycobacteria affects the lynx population in Extremadura (southwest of Spain). To this end, blood samples, tracheal swabs, and tracheobronchial washings from live-captured lynxes, as well as mediastinal and mesenteric lymph nodes from roadkill animals, were collected. The association between the presence of mycobacteria and various factors—including body condition, age, sex, and blood parameters—was subsequently evaluated. Up to date, our findings show the absence of tuberculosis (TB) in all lynxes tested, while they seem to be reservoirs of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), mainly <i>M. lentiflavum</i>, the most isolated species. Nonetheless, these mycobacteria appear to have no significant effect on the health condition of the animals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8bac6dc96aa640db810b7211dc10e5e3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2306-7381 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-8bac6dc96aa640db810b7211dc10e5e32025-08-20T03:29:44ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-05-0112652710.3390/vetsci12060527Identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria in Iberian Lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) and Their Impact on Its HealthNatalia Jiménez-Pizarro0Beatriz Serrano1Jorge Peña2Rafael Barrera3María Gil-Molino4David Risco5Javier Hermoso-de-Mendoza6Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainLife Lynxconnect Project, FOTEX S.L., 06011 Badajoz, SpainNatural Environment Area, Public Management Society of Extremadura (GPEX), Junta de Extremadura, 06187 Mérida, SpainMINVET Group, Animal Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainAnimal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainAnimal Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainAnimal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainThe Iberian lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) population has been increasing in recent years thanks to the collaboration of several associations within the framework of the Life Lynxconnect project, which promotes captive breeding for the subsequent release of specimens into the environment. It is therefore important to know their population status, the diseases to which these animals are exposed, and how they affect their repopulation. In this sense, this study aims to study how the presence of mycobacteria affects the lynx population in Extremadura (southwest of Spain). To this end, blood samples, tracheal swabs, and tracheobronchial washings from live-captured lynxes, as well as mediastinal and mesenteric lymph nodes from roadkill animals, were collected. The association between the presence of mycobacteria and various factors—including body condition, age, sex, and blood parameters—was subsequently evaluated. Up to date, our findings show the absence of tuberculosis (TB) in all lynxes tested, while they seem to be reservoirs of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), mainly <i>M. lentiflavum</i>, the most isolated species. Nonetheless, these mycobacteria appear to have no significant effect on the health condition of the animals.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/6/527lynx<i>Lynx pardinus</i>non-tuberculous mycobacteria<i>Mycobacterium lentiflavum</i><i>Mycobacterium gordonae</i> |
| spellingShingle | Natalia Jiménez-Pizarro Beatriz Serrano Jorge Peña Rafael Barrera María Gil-Molino David Risco Javier Hermoso-de-Mendoza Identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria in Iberian Lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) and Their Impact on Its Health Veterinary Sciences lynx <i>Lynx pardinus</i> non-tuberculous mycobacteria <i>Mycobacterium lentiflavum</i> <i>Mycobacterium gordonae</i> |
| title | Identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria in Iberian Lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) and Their Impact on Its Health |
| title_full | Identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria in Iberian Lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) and Their Impact on Its Health |
| title_fullStr | Identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria in Iberian Lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) and Their Impact on Its Health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria in Iberian Lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) and Their Impact on Its Health |
| title_short | Identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria in Iberian Lynx (<i>Lynx pardinus</i>) and Their Impact on Its Health |
| title_sort | identification of non tuberculous mycobacteria in iberian lynx i lynx pardinus i and their impact on its health |
| topic | lynx <i>Lynx pardinus</i> non-tuberculous mycobacteria <i>Mycobacterium lentiflavum</i> <i>Mycobacterium gordonae</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/6/527 |
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