Relationship between Anti-European Brown Hare Syndrome Serological Titers and Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas) Densities

Thirty-three protected wild game reproduction areas, located in the province of Florence (Central Italy), were monitored for habitat characteristics and hare census over a period of 2 years. A total of 172 hares was captured, checked for sex, and age, and blood samples were taken. Serum samples were analyzed by competitive ELISA test for detection and titration of anti-European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) antibodies. Results showed that EBHSV seropositive hares from areas with high and medium population densities had higher antibody titers than those coming from low-density areas and that adults showed lower values than young animals. Anti-EBHSV antibody levels were inversely related to the distances between protected areas and private hunting areas while a high density of protected areas was not associated with any similarity in the values or prevalence of EBHSV.

[1]  M. Ferretti,et al.  Relationship between habitat, densities and metabolic profile in brown hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas) , 2007 .

[2]  S. Lavín,et al.  EFFECTS OF ACEPROMAZINE ON CAPTURE STRESS IN ROE DEER (CAPREOLUS CAPREOLUS) , 2003, Journal of wildlife diseases.

[3]  M. Rudolph,et al.  European Brown Hare Syndrome in Free-ranging European Brown and Mountain Hares from Switzerland , 2001, Journal of wildlife diseases.

[4]  S. V. Wieren,et al.  Home ranges of brown hares in a natural salt marsh: comparisons with agricultural systems , 2001, Acta Theriologica.

[5]  K. Frölich,et al.  EUROPEAN BROWN HARE SYNDROME IN FREE-RANGING HARES IN POLAND , 1996, Journal of wildlife diseases.

[6]  A. Lavazza,et al.  European brown hare syndrome in northern Italy: results of a virological and serological survey. , 1994, Revue scientifique et technique.

[7]  C. Wirblich,et al.  European brown hare syndrome virus: relationship to rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus and other caliciviruses , 1994, Journal of virology.

[8]  M. Wooldridge,et al.  European brown hare syndrome in England , 1994, Veterinary Record.

[9]  D. Chasey,et al.  Rabbit haemorrhagic disease , 1994, Veterinary Record.

[10]  R. Gunning,et al.  Rabbit haemorrhagic disease , 1994, Veterinary Record.

[11]  D. Gavier-Widén,et al.  The Occurrence of European Brown Hare Syndrome in Finland , 1993, Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica.

[12]  G. Sironi,et al.  ACUTE HEPATOSIS IN THE EUROPEAN BROWN HARE (LEPUS EUROPAEUS) IN ITALY , 1991, Journal of wildlife diseases.

[13]  D. Gavier-Widén,et al.  Epidemiology and diagnosis of the European brown hare syndrome in Scandinavian countries: a review. , 1991, Revue scientifique et technique.

[14]  D. Chasey,et al.  European brown hare syndrome and associated virus particles in the UK , 1990, Veterinary Record.

[15]  U. Eskens,et al.  [The etiology of liver dystrophy in the field hare (Lepus europaeus pallas)]. , 1989, DTW. Deutsche tierarztliche Wochenschrift.

[16]  A. Ludwig,et al.  NEW VARIANTS OF EUROPEAN BROWN HARE SYNDROME VIRUS STRAINS IN FREE-RANGING EUROPEAN BROWN HARES (LEPUS EUROPAEUS) FROM SLOVAKIA , 2007, Journal of wildlife diseases.

[17]  Andrew P. Dobson,et al.  Microparasite transmission and persistence , 2002 .

[18]  D. Gavier-Widén,et al.  DESCRIPTIVE EPIZOOTIOLOGICAL STUDY OF EUROPEAN BROWN HARE SYNDROME IN SWEDEN , 1993, Journal of wildlife diseases.

[19]  A. Lavazza,et al.  Diagnostic procedures for european brown hare syndrome; application in epidemiological surveys in two italian regions , 1990 .

[20]  M. Fowler.  Zoo and wild animal medicine , 1978 .