Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae clone reemergence in association with a multi-year mass mortality event in high Arctic muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus)

We investigated a multi-year mass mortality event in muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) on Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands, Nunavut, Canada and linked the deaths with the "Arctic clone" of the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (Er), making this the third reported independent mass mortality event in muskoxen associated with this bacterial strain. Between 2021 and 2024, we collected and analyzed samples from 139 unique muskox carcass sites using gross and microscopic pathology, bacterial culture, and molecular methods. Er Arctic clone was found in association with > 70% of sampled carcasses. Our results underscore the geographic expanse over which this unique clonal lineage of Er has now spread, its apparently high virulence in muskoxen, and its ongoing importance as a consideration in conservation and monitoring efforts related to this species.

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Publication Details

Journal
Scientific Reports
Published
2025-12-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-27316-y
Primary Topic
Microbial infections and disease research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae clone reemergence in association with a multi-year mass mortality event in high Arctic muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus)

Susan Kutz, Ronan Donovan, Ole M. Christensen, Fabien Mavrot et al.
Scientific Reports
Microbial infections and disease research
article

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae clone reemergence in association with a multi-year mass mortality event in high Arctic muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus)

Susan Kutz, Ronan Donovan, Ole M. Christensen, Fabien Mavrot, Tabitha Mullin, McCaide T. Wooten, Angela Schneider, Amélie Roberto‐Charron, H. Dean Cluff, Sreejith Radhakrishnan, Matthew Fredlund, Eugene Lau, Frank van der Meer, Taya Forde, Dayna Goldsmith, Tianjiao Fang, L. Vineesha Seru
article en

Abstract

We investigated a multi-year mass mortality event in muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) on Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands, Nunavut, Canada and linked the deaths with the "Arctic clone" of the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (Er), making this the third reported independent mass mortality event in muskoxen associated with this bacterial strain. Between 2021 and 2024, we collected and analyzed samples from 139 unique muskox carcass sites using gross and microscopic pathology, bacterial culture, and molecular methods. Er Arctic clone was found in association with > 70% of sampled carcasses. Our results underscore the geographic expanse over which this unique clonal lineage of Er has now spread, its apparently high virulence in muskoxen, and its ongoing importance as a consideration in conservation and monitoring efforts related to this species.

Scientific ReportsVol. 15(1)
University of Calgary (CA), Fujifilm (Japan) (JP), National Geographic Society (US), Government of Nunavut (CA), Government of Northwest Territories (CA), UK Health Security Agency (GB), University of Glasgow (GB)
Polar Knowledge Canada, UK Research and Innovation, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Eurostars
Openalex Percentile: Top 63%
Microbial infections and disease research
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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