AUTHOR=Escobar Luis E. , Carver Scott , Romero-Alvarez Daniel , VandeWoude Sue , Crooks Kevin R. , Lappin Michael R. , Craft Meggan E. 

TITLE=Inferring the Ecological Niche of Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. in Wild Felids

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=4

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2017.00172

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2017.00172

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>Traditional epidemiological studies of disease in animal populations often focus on directly transmitted pathogens. One reason pathogens with complex lifecycles are understudied could be due to challenges associated with detection in vectors and the environment. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) is a methodological approach that overcomes some of the detection challenges often seen with vector or environmentally dependent pathogens. We test this approach using a unique dataset of two pathogens in wild felids across North America: <italic>Toxoplasma gondii</italic> and <italic>Bartonella</italic> spp. in bobcats (<italic>Lynx rufus</italic>) and puma (<italic>Puma concolor</italic>). We found three main patterns. First, <italic>T. gondii</italic> showed a broader use of environmental conditions than did <italic>Bartonella</italic> spp. Also, ecological niche models, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index satellite imagery, were useful even when applied to wide-ranging hosts. Finally, ENM results from one region could be applied to other regions, thus transferring information across different landscapes. With this research, we detail the uncertainty of epidemiological risk models across novel environments, thereby advancing tools available for epidemiological decision-making. We propose that ENM could be a valuable tool for enabling understanding of transmission risk, contributing to more focused prevention and control options for infectious diseases.</p>