Pythiosis is a difficult-to-treat infectious disease caused by Pythium insidiosum. The condition is unfamiliar among healthcare workers. Manifestation of pythiosis is similar to other fungal infections, leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. The geographical extent of pythiosis at a global scale is unclear. This study aimed to analyze the clinical information recorded in the scientific literature to comprehensively project epidemiological characteristics, clinical features, and future trends of pythiosis. From 1980 to 2021, 4203 cases of pythiosis in humans (n = 771; 18.3%) and animals (primarily horse, dog, and cow; n = 3432; 81.7%), with an average of 103 cases/year, were recruited. Pythiosis case reports significantly increased in the last decade. Pythiosis spanned 23 tropical, subtropical, and temperate countries worldwide. Some patients acquired pythiosis from a trip to an endemic country. Strikingly, 94.3% of human cases were in India and Thailand, while 79.2% of affected animals were in the U.S.A. and Brazil. Clinical features of pythiosis varied. Vascular and ocular pythiosis were only observed in humans, whereas cutaneous/subcutaneous and gastrointestinal infections were predominant in animals. Mortality depended on host species and clinical forms: for example, none in patients with ocular pythiosis, 0.7% in cows with a cutaneous lesion, 26.8% in humans with vascular disease, 86.4% in dogs with gastrointestinal pathology, and 100% in several animals with disseminated infection. In summary, this study reports up-to-date epidemiological and clinical features of pythiosis in humans and animals. It increases awareness of this life-threatening disease, as the illness or outbreak can exist in any country, not limited to the endemic areas.

/pdf/global-distribution-and-clinical-features-of-pythiosis-in-67tuqvad.pdf

Global Distribution and Clinical Features of Pythiosis in Humans and Animals

Species listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act are required to meet stated recovery goals for delisting. These goals often are developed early in the species' conservation history and may need to be updated or refined as new information becomes available. The Atlantic Coast Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), which was listed more than 30 yr ago, has not met recovery goals through much of its range. Initial recovery goals included maintaining a reproductive output of 1.5 fledged chicks per pair for 5 yr. This goal was based on modelling that assumed equal survival rates for adults throughout the range, but recent studies suggest that demographic rates may vary with latitude. To investigate latitudinal variation, we developed demographic and population growth estimates for 2 breeding populations of Piping Plovers on the U.S. Atlantic Coast on Fire Island, New York (40.7°N), and on the Outer Banks of North Carolina (35.3°N) in 2013–2017. Breeding success (nest success and pre-fledge chick survival) varied annually but was lower in North Carolina than New York. Average adult true survival in New York ( = 0.73, SE = 0.04) was similar to average survival in North Carolina ( = 0.69, SE = 0.07). Annual post-fledging survival for both sites, however, was variable and often higher than had been previously reported for Atlantic Coast Piping Plovers (0.43–0.66 for New York; 0.31 and 1.0 for North Carolina). While the estimated reproductive output needed for a stationary population for both sites was similar (1.10 chicks per pair for New York, 95% CI: 0.83–1.41; 1.08 for North Carolina, 95% CI: 0.67–1.59), only the New York population achieved or exceeded these values during our study. Our findings suggest that understanding annual and latitudinal demographic variability would be helpful in refining recovery goals.

Growth of two Atlantic Coast Piping Plover populations

Pythium insidiosum causes pythiosis, a fatal infectious disease of humans and animals worldwide. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to improve the clinical outcome of pythiosis. Diagnosis of P. insidiosum relies on immunological, molecular, and proteomic assays. The main treatment of pythiosis aims to surgically remove all affected tissue to prevent recurrent infection. Due to the marked increase in case reports, pythiosis has become a public health concern. Thailand is an endemic area of human pythiosis. To obtain a complete picture of how the pathogen circulates in the environment, we surveyed the presence of P. insidiosum in urban (Bangkok) and rural areas of Thailand. We employed the hair-baiting technique to screen for P. insidiosum in 500 water samples. Twenty-seven culture-positive samples were identified as P. insidiosum by multiplex PCR, multi-DNA barcode (rDNA, cox1, cox2), and mass spectrometric analyses. These environmental strains of P. insidiosum fell into Clade-II and -III genotypes and exhibited a close phylogenetic/proteomic relationship with Thai clinical strains. Biodiversity of the environmental strains also existed in a local habitat. In conclusion, P. insidiosum is widespread in Thailand. A better understanding of the ecological niche of P. insidiosum could lead to the effective prevention and control of this pathogen.

https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/7/4/242/pdf

Identification and Biotyping of Pythium insidiosum Isolated from Urban and Rural Areas of Thailand by Multiplex PCR, DNA Barcode, and Proteomic Analyses

Piping plovers demonstrate regional differences in nesting habitat selection patterns along the U.S. Atlantic coast

Habitat selection and its relationship to fitness is a fundamental concept in ecology, but the mechanisms driving this connection are complex and difficult to detect. Despite the difficulties in understanding such intricate relationships, it is imperative that we study habitat selection and its relationship with fitness. We compared habitat selection of least terns (Sternula antillarum) and piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) on the Missouri River (2012-2014) to examine the consequences of those choices on nest and chick survival. We hypothesized that plovers and terns would select habitat that minimized the chance of flooding and predation of eggs, chicks, and adults, but that plovers would also select habitat that would provide foraging habitat for their chicks. We developed an integrated habitat selection model that assessed selection across multiple scales (sandbar and nest scales) and directly modeled the effect of selection on nest and chick survival. In general, the species selected habitat in keeping with our hypotheses, such that predation and flooding, in particular, may have been reduced. Sandbar selection had either a negative or no appreciable effect on nest survival for both species across years. Nest-site selection in 2012 had a generally positive effect on nest survival and chick survival for both terns and plovers, and this trended toward a negative effect by 2014. This result suggested that early selection decisions appeared to be adaptive, but we speculate that relatively high site fidelity and habitat degradation led to reduced benefit over time. Our results highlight the complex nature of habitat selection and its relationship to fitness.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ece3.5834

Habitat selection and potential fitness consequences of two early-successional species with differing life-history strategies.

Effective management of wildlife populations requires identification of the factors limiting their growth. The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) is an imperiled, disturbance-dependent, shorebird species that nests on broad, sparsely vegetated beaches, sandbars, and lakeshores. In areas minimally affected by human use, plover habitat loss occurs through vegetation encroachment and erosion. Alternatively, habitat availability may be increased by sand deposition caused by stormor flood-induced sediment transport or scouring that removes vegetation, or by receding lake levels. To test the hypothesis that plover populations are limited by available breeding habitat, we estimated the amount of habitat available before and after four significant storm and flooding events (i.e., disturbance) by classifying preand postdisturbance aerial imagery. We then evaluated the population changes that occurred after disturbance-related habitat alterations. Additionally, we report on population changes from four population increases that occurred after habitat creation events for which we did not have imagery suitable for classification. The storm and flood effects considered were those from hurricanes and nor’easters on barrier islands of Virginia, North Carolina, New York, and Maryland, USA, and those from floods and high water output from the Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River between South Dakota and Nebraska, USA. The amount of nesting habitat increased 27–950% at these sites, and plover populations increased overall 72–622% after these events (increase of 8–217 pairs in 3 to 8 years after the disturbance, average 12–116% increase annually). The demographic changes were driven by productivity in some cases and probably by increases in immigration in others, and occurred simultaneously with regional increases. Our results support our hypothesis that the focal plover populations were at or near carrying capacity and are habitat limited. Currently, human interventions such as beach stabilization, the construction of artificial dunes, and dams reduce natural disturbance, and therefore, the carrying capacity, in many plover breeding areas. If these interventions were reduced or modified in such a way as to create and improve habitat, plover populations would likely reach higher average numbers and the potential for achieving recovery goals would be increased. Irruptions : preuves de la limitation de l'habitat pendant la saison de reproduction du pluvier siffleur (Charadrius melodus) RÉSUMÉ. La gestion efficace des populations de faune sauvage requiert l'identification des facteurs qui limitent leur croissance. Le pluvier siffleur (Charadrius melodus) est une espèce d'oiseaux de rivage menacée, dépendante des perturbations, qui niche sur de grandes plages à la végétation clairsemée, sur les bancs de sable et au bord des lacs. Dans les régions peu affectées par la présence humaine, la perte d'habitat du pluvier est due à l'empiètement de la végétation et à l'érosion. La disponibilité de l'habitat peut aussi être accrue par les dépôts de sable causés par les transports de sédiments induits par les tempêtes ou les inondations, par l'affouillement qui élimine la végétation ou par la baisse du niveau des lacs. Pour tester l'hypothèse selon laquelle les populations de pluvier sont limitées par l'habitat de reproduction disponible, nous avons estimé la surface d'habitat disponible avant et après quatre événements majeurs de tempête et d'inondation (c'est-à-dire des perturbations) en classant les images aériennes avant et après les perturbations. Nous avons ensuite évalué l'évolution des populations survenue après les altérations de l'habitat liées aux perturbations. En outre, nous rapportons sur les changements de population par suite de quatre augmentations de la population intervenues après des événements de création d'habitat pour lesquels nous ne disposions pas d'imagerie adéquate pour établir un classement. Les effets des tempêtes et des inondations considérées étaient ceux d'ouragans et de tempêtes sur les îles barrières de Virginie, de Caroline du Nord, de New York et du Maryland, aux États-Unis, et ceux des inondations provoquées par le débit d'eau élevé du barrage de Gavins Point, sur le Missouri, entre le Dakota du Sud et le Nebraska, également aux États-Unis. La superficie de l'habitat de nidification a augmenté de 27 à 950 % sur ces sites et les populations de pluviers ont augmenté globalement de 72 à 622 % après ces événements (le nombre de couples est passé de 8 à 217 en 3 à 8 ans à la suite de ces perturbations, soit une augmentation moyenne annuelle de 12 à 116 %). Les évolutions démographiques résultaient de la productivité dans certains cas et probablement d'augmentations des migrations dans d'autres cas, et correspondaient à des augmentations régionales. Nos résultats viennent étayer notre hypothèse selon laquelle les populations de pluviers observées étaient à leur capacité porteuse et sont limitées par l'habitat. Actuellement, les interventions humaines comme la stabilisation des plages, Address of Correspondent: Samantha Robinson, 134 Cheatham Hall, 310 W. Campus Dr., Blacksburg, VA USA 24061, samgr@vt.edu Avian Conservation and Ecology 14(1): 19 http://www.ace-eco.org/vol14/iss1/art19/ la construction de dunes artificielles et de barrages réduisent les perturbations naturelles et en conséquence, la capacité porteuse, dans de nombreuses régions de reproduction des pluviers. Si ces interventions étaient réduites ou modifiées de manière à créer et à améliorer l'habitat, les populations de pluviers atteindraient probablement des nombres moyens plus élevés et le potentiel de réalisation des objectifs de rétablissement des populations serait plus élevé.

/pdf/irruptions-evidence-for-breeding-season-habitat-limitation-2ql15oau83.pdf

Irruptions: evidence for breeding season habitat limitation in Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

Pythium insidiosum is a widespread pathogen that causes pythiosis in mammals. Recent increase in cases reported in North America indicates a need to better understand the distribution and persistence of the pathogen in the environment. In this study, we reconstructed the distribution of P. insidiosum in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, located on Assateague Island, Virginia, and based on 136 environmental water samples collected between June and September of 2019. The Refuge hosts two grazing areas for horses, also known as the Chincoteague Ponies. In the past 3 years, 12 horses have succumbed to infection by P. insidiosum. Using an ecological niche model framework, we estimated and mapped suitable areas for P. insidiosum throughout the Refuge. We found P. insidiosum throughout much of the study area. Our results showed significant monthly variation in the predicted suitability, where the most influential environmental predictors were land-surface water and temperature. We found that June, July, and August were the months with the highest suitability for P. insidiosum across the Refuge, while December through March were less favorable months. Likewise, significant differences in suitability were observed between the two grazing areas. The suitability map provided here could also be used to make management decisions, such as monitoring horses for lesions during high risk months.

/pdf/the-potential-distribution-of-pythium-insidiosum-in-the-576yegqb88.pdf

The Potential Distribution of Pythium insidiosum in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia.

Information on demographic parameters needed to inform conservation strategies for American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) is lacking. The population dynamics of American Oystercatchers in Virginia, USA, were examined using a multi-state analysis framework that modeled movement of American Oystercatchers into and out of the State. Change in breeding status, age-specific survival rates, and age at first breeding were investigated for three geographically distinct study sites. Non-breeding American Oystercatchers originating from Virginia readily moved in and out of the State among years. The immigration rate for birds breeding on barrier islands was 6% Emigration rates were 6% for the barrier island breeding population and 17% for the seaside lagoon population. Stage-specific annual survival rates were 0.66, 0.95 and 0.91 for juvenile, sub-adult and adult stages, respectively. Age at first breeding peaked in the fourth year for both the barrier island and seaside lagoon breeding populations. Movement and recruitment rates suggested that the barrier islands may provide the highest quality breeding habitat among the three study sites. This study showed that Virginia's American Oystercatcher population is linked with other Atlantic Coast populations, and these links should be considered when evaluating local population trends and management targets.

https://bioone.org/journals/Waterbirds/volume-40/issue-sp1/063.040.sp107/Population-Dynamics-and-Survival-Rates-of-American-Oystercatchers-Haematopus-palliatus/10.1675/063.040.sp107.pdf

Population Dynamics and Survival Rates of American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) in Virginia, USA

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Irruptions: evidence for breeding season habitat limitation in Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

The Potential Distribution of Pythium insidiosum in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia.

Population Dynamics and Survival Rates of American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) in Virginia, USA