Today my guest is Dr. Fidisoa Rasambainarivo. Fidy and I met back in 2012 in Lyon, France, at the joint conference of the WDA (Wildlife Diseases Association) and EWDA. At that time, I was still a vet student and Fidy was doing his master’s degree.
Dr. Rasambainarivo is a wildlife veterinarian interested in the ecological approaches of health and particularly the « One Health » concept and the field of « Conservation Medicine ». He studies the multiple interactions between human, domestic animal and wildlife health in Madagascar such as lemurs, rodents and carnivores. He obtained his PhD in Biology at the University of Missouri Saint Louis, USA.
Fidy told us what research is being done in Madagascar and how it is possible thanks to Mahaliana. Mahaliana is an organization, co-founded by Fidy that aims to advance conservation science in Madagascar while «Â leveling the playing field for Malagasy scientists ». «Â The majority of the science conducted and published on Madagascar is led by international researchers. This is the result of poor infrastructure, lack of educational opportunity, and lack of resources for aspiring Malagasy scientists. » Fidy explains how and why he created a research and training center based in Madagascar and tell us about building local capacity in Conservation medicine.
Hope you enjoy the travel.
To know more about Dr. Fidy https://fidyras.wordpress.com/ https://www.mahaliana.org/fidy
Here are few selected papers below:
Monitoring for outbreak-associated excess mortality in an African city: Detection limits in Antananarivo | Madagascar. Rasambainarivo F, Rasoanomenjanahary A, et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Feb;103:338-342.
Objectives: Quantitative estimates of the impact of infectious disease outbreaks are required to develop measured policy responses. In many low- and middle-income countries, inadequate surveillance and incompleteness of death registration are important barriers
Objectives: Quantitative estimates of the impact of infectious disease outbreaks are required to develop measured policy responses. In many low- and middle-income countries, inadequate surveillance and incompleteness of death registration are important barriers
Results: The weekly mortality rate of children during the 2018-2019 measles outbreak was 161% above the expected value at its peak, and the signal can be detected earlier in children than in the general population. This approach to detect anomalies from expected baseline mortality allows us to delineate the prevalence of COVID-19 at which excess mortality would be detectable with the existing death notification system in Antananarivo.
Conclusions: Given current age-specific estimates of the COVID-19 fatality ratio and the age structure of the population in Antananarivo, we estimate that as few as 11 deaths per week in the 60-70 years age group (corresponding to an infection rate of approximately 1%) would detectably exceed the baseline. Data from 2020 will undergo necessary processing and quality control in the coming months. Our results provide a baseline for interpreting this information.
Patterns of Exposure of Carnivores to Selected Pathogens in the Betampona Natural Reserve Landscape | Madagascar Rasambainarivo F., Andriamihajarivo MN, Dubovi E, and Parker PG. 2018. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. Vol. 54, No. 2, pp. 386-391
Carnivores of Madagascar are at increased risk of extinction due to anthropogenic loss of habitat, hunting, and interactions with introduced carnivores. Interactions between introduced and native animals also present the potential for introduction of pathogens into new geographic areas or host species. Here, we provide serologic data regarding pathogen exposure of domestic and native carnivores from the Betampona Natural Reserve Landscape, a protected area in eastern Madagascar. For the Eupleridae, we found limited evidence of exposure to viruses from domestic animals but greater prevalence for Toxoplasma gondii (39%) and Leptospira interrogans (40%). We also evaluated the associations between the presence of antibodies to selected pathogens and the demographic and spatial variables. We showed that individual characteristics such as sex and species were associated with exposure to T. gondii but not to L. interrogans or canine parvovirus (CPV). Finally, we investigated the spatial structure of pathogen exposure in Betampona and found no evidence of spatial structuring, indicating the absence of hotspots and agent-free refugia for T. gondii, L. interrogans, and CPV in the protected area. Our results may be useful for assessing and monitoring disease risk and for formulating control strategies to minimize the negative impact of exotic species on the endemic carnivores of Madagascar.
Interactions Between Carnivores in Madagascar and the Risk of Disease Transmission Rasambainarivo F., Farris ZJ., Andrianalizah H., and Parker PG. 2017. EcoHealth. Dec;14(4):691-703
Introduced carnivores exert considerable pressure on native predators through predation, competition and disease transmission. Recent research shows that exotic carnivores negatively affect the distribution and abundance of the native and endangered carnivores of Madagascar. In this study, we provide information about the frequency and distribution of interactions between exotic (dogs and cats) and native carnivores (Eupleridae) in the Betampona Natural Reserve (BNR), Madagascar, using noninvasive camera trap surveys. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) were the most frequently detected carnivore species within the BNR, and we found that indirect interactions between exotic and native carnivores were frequent (n = 236). Indirect interactions were more likely to occur near the research station (incidence rate ratio = 0.91), which may constitute a disease transmission hot spot for carnivores at BNR. The intervals between capture of native and exotic carnivores suggest that there is potential for pathogen transmission between species in BNR. These capture intervals were significantly shorter near the edge of the reserve (P = 0.04). These data could be used to implement biosecurity measures to monitor interactions and prevent disease transmission between species at the domestic animal and wildlife interface.
Interactions Between Carnivores in Madagascar and the Risk of Disease Transmission Rasambainarivo F., Farris ZJ., Andrianalizah H., and Parker PG. 2017. EcoHealth. Dec;14(4):691-703
Introduced animals impact endemic populations through predation, competition, and disease transmission. Populations of endemic carnivores in Madagascar are declining, and pathogens transmitted from introduced species may further endanger these unique species. We assessed the exposure of introduced and endemic carnivores to common viral and parasitic pathogens in two national parks of Madagascar (Kirindy Mitea National Park and Ankarafantsika National Park) and their neighboring villages. We also identified variables associated with the presence of antibodies to these pathogens in fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox). Introduced and endemic species were exposed to canine parvovirus, canine herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, and Toxoplasma gondii . Domestic dogs ( Canis familiaris ) and cats ( Felis catus ) may be sources of infection for these pathogens. Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma in captured fosa was >93%, and adults were more likely to be exposed than immature individuals. Our data provide a basis upon which to evaluate and manage risks of pathogen transmission between species.
Pathogenic Enterobacteria in Lemurs associated with anthropogenic disturbance. Bublitz, D. C., Wright, P. C., Rasambainarivo FT., Arrigo-Nelson, S. J., Bodager, J. R. and Gillespie, T. R. Am J Primatol. 2015 Mar; 77(3): 330-337
As human population density continues to increase exponentially, speeding the reduction and fragmentation of primate habitat, greater human-primate contact is inevitable, making higher rates of pathogen transmission likely. Anthropogenic effects are particularly evident in Madagascar, where a diversity of endemic lemur species are threatened by rapid habitat loss. Despite these risks, knowledge of how anthropogenic activities affect lemur exposure to pathogens is limited. To improve our understanding of this interplay, we non-invasively examined six species of wild lemurs in Ranomafana National Park for enteric bacterial pathogens commonly associated with diarrheal disease in human populations in Madagascar. Patterns of infection with Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella enterica, Vibrio cholerae, and Yersinia spp. (enterocolitica and pseudotuberculosis) were compared between lemurs inhabiting intact forest and lemurs inhabiting degraded habitat with frequent exposure to tourism and other human activity. Fecal samples acquired from humans, livestock, and rodents living near the degraded habitat were also screened for these bacteria. Remarkably, only lemurs living in disturbed areas of the park tested positive for these pathogens. Moreover, all of these pathogens were present in the human, livestock, and/or rodent populations. These data suggest that lemurs residing in forests altered or frequented by people, livestock, or peridomestic rodents, are at risk for infection by these diarrhea-causing enterobacteria and other similarly transmitted pathogens
Epidemiology of Pathogenic Enterobacteria in Humans, Livestock, and Peridomestic Rodents in Rural Madagascar. Bublitz, D. C., Wright, P. C., Bodager JR, Rasambainarivo FT, Bliska JB. 2014. PLoS ONE 9(7): e101456.
Background
Among the families of enteric bacteria are globally important diarrheal agents. Despite their potential for zoonotic and environmental transmission, few studies have examined the epidemiology of these pathogens in rural systems characterized by extensive overlap among humans, domesticated and peridomestic animals. We investigated patterns of infection with Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella enterica, Vibrio cholerae, and Yersinia spp. (enterocolitica, and pseudotuberculosis) in Southeastern Madagascar where the potential for the aforementioned interactions is high. In this pilot project we conducted surveys to examine behaviors potentially associated with risk of infection and if infection with specific enterobacteria species was associated with diarrheal disease.
Methodology/Principal Findings
PCR was conducted on DNA from human, livestock, and rodent fecal samples from three villages. Overall, human prevalence was highest (77%), followed by rodents (51%) and livestock (18%). Rodents were ~2.8 times more likely than livestock to carry one of the bacteria. The incidence of individual species varied between villages, with the observation that, E. coli and Shigella spp. were consistently associated with co-infections. As an aggregate, there was a significant risk of infection linked to a water source in one village. Individually, different pathogens were associated with certain behaviors, including: those who had used medication, experienced diarrhea in the past four weeks, or do not use toilets.
Conclusions/Significance
Different bacteria were associated with an elevated risk of infection for various human activities or characteristics. Certain bacteria may also predispose people to co-infections. These data suggest that a high potential for transmission among these groups, either directly or via contaminated water sources. As these bacteria were most prevalent in humans, it is possible that they are maintained in humans and that transmission to other species is infrequent. Further studies are needed to understand bacterial persistence, transmission dynamics, and associated consequences in this and similar systems.
Biomedical evaluation of Verreaux’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) in the Kirindy Mitea National Park, Madagascar. Rasambainarivo FT, RE Junge, and RJ Lewis. 2014. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 45(2):247-255.
Evaluation of the health, prevalence, and incidence of diseases in wild populations is a critical component of wildlife management. In addition, the establishment of reference physiologic parameters can Verreaux’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) from Kirindy Mitea National Park, Madagascar, during two field captures incontribute to the assessment of population risks. Complete medical evaluations were performed on 33 wild June 2010 and June 2011. Each animal received a complete physical examination: weight, body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate were recorded, and ectoparasites collected. Blood samples were collected for complete blood cell count, differential white blood cell count, hemoparasite examination, serum biochemical profile, fat-soluble vitamin analysis, trace mineral analysis, and toxoplasmosis and viral serology. Fecal samples were collected for bacterial culture and endoparasite examination. Significant differences exist between age classes for neutrophil and lymphocyte count, alkaline phosphatase, and creatinine values. Parasites detected were Callistoura sp., Bertiella lemuriformis, and Dipetalonema petteri. This publication reports the first complete biomedical evaluation of the P. verreauxi and provides a basis for hematologic and biochemical comparisons of P. verreauxi in the wild.
Survey of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in lemurs from the Ranomafana National Park. Rasambainarivo FT, TR. Gillespie, PC. Wright, J. Arsenault, A. Villeneuve, and S. Lair. 2013. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 49(3):741-743.
We detected Cryptosporidium sp. by direct immunofluorescence in fecal samples from greater bamboo lemurs (Prolemur simus) and eastern rufous mouse lemurs (Microcebus rufus) inhabiting the Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. This is the first report of an occurrence of these potentially zoonotic parasites in free-ranging lemurs in the rain forest of Madagascar.