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From wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Serengeti to tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in the Russian Far East, canine distemper virus (CDV) has been repeatedly identified as a threat to wild carnivores. Between 2020 and 2022, six Indian leopards (P. pardus fusca) presented to Nepali authorities with fatal neurological disease, consistent with CDV. Here, we report the findings of a serosurvey of wild felids from Nepal. A total of 48 serum samples were tested, comprising 28 Bengal tigers (P. t. tigris) and 20 Indian leopards. Neutralizing antibodies were identified in three tigers and six leopards, equating to seroprevalences of 11% (CI: 2.8–29.3%, n = 28) and 30% (CI: 12.8–54.3%, n = 20), respectively. More than one-third of seropositive animals were symptomatic, and three died within a week of being sampled. The predation of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) has been posited as a potential route of infection. A comparison of existing diet studies revealed that while leopards in Nepal frequently predate on dogs, tigers do not, potentially supporting this hypothesis. However, further work, including molecular analyses, would be needed to confirm this.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an emerging disease in elephants primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) and in some occassion by M. bovis. We performed culture and three serological teststhe Elephant TB STAT-PAK,(R) DPP VetTB (R) Assay, and MAPIA (multi-antigen print immunoassay)prospectively on samples from eight elephants in Nepal that died of suspected or confirmed tuberculosis (TB) between 2007 and 2013. Among them, all elephants were reactive to DPP VetTB (R) Assay, five to Elephant TB STAT-PAK,(R) and two were reactive to MAPIA. Similarly, six elephants were positive on culture on samples collected antemortem or postmortem. We observed antibody responses months to years before culture confirmation of TB which shows that serological tests can be highly useful for the early diagnosis of TB in elephants. Validated point-of-care serological tests are easily performed in the field and hold promise for improved TB surveillance in other non-domestic species.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an emerging disease in elephants primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) and in some occassion by M. bovis. We performed culture and three serological teststhe Elephant TB STAT-PAK,(R) DPP VetTB (R) Assay, and MAPIA (multi-antigen print immunoassay)prospectively on samples from eight elephants in Nepal that died of suspected or confirmed tuberculosis (TB) between 2007 and 2013. Among them, all elephants were reactive to DPP VetTB (R) Assay, five to Elephant TB STAT-PAK,(R) and two were reactive to MAPIA. Similarly, six elephants were positive on culture on samples collected antemortem or postmortem. We observed antibody responses months to years before culture confirmation of TB which shows that serological tests can be highly useful for the early diagnosis of TB in elephants. Validated point-of-care serological tests are easily performed in the field and hold promise for improved TB surveillance in other non-domestic species.