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Felipe-Jiménez I, Fernández A, Arbelo M, Segura-Göthlin S, Colom-Rivero A, Suárez-Santana CM, De La Fuente J, Sierra E. Molecular Diagnosis of Cetacean Morbillivirus in Beaked Whales Stranded in the Canary Islands (1999–2017). Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9030121. [PMID: 35324849 PMCID: PMC8950905 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9030121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A retrospective survey for detecting the cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) was carried out in beaked whales (BWs) stranded in the Canary Islands (1999–2017). CeMV is responsible for causing worldwide epizootic events with the highest mass die-offs in cetaceans, although the epidemic status of the Canarian Archipelago seems to be that of an endemic situation. A total of 319 tissue samples from 55 BWs (35 Cuvier’s BWs and 20 specimens belonging to the Mesoplodon genus) were subjected to the amplification of a fragment of the fusion protein (F) and/or phosphoprotein (P) genes of CeMV by means of one or more of three polymerase chain reactions (PCR). RNA integrity could not be demonstrated in samples from 11 animals. Positivity (dolphin morbillivirus strain (DMV)) was detected in the skin sample of only a subadult male Cuvier’s BW stranded in 2002, being the earliest confirmed occurrence of DMV in the Cuvier’s BW species. The obtained P gene sequence showed the closest relationship with other DMVs detected in a striped dolphin stranded in the Canary Islands in the same year. A phylogenetic analysis supports a previous hypothesis of a cross-species infection and the existence of the circulation of endemic DMV strains in the Atlantic Ocean similar to those later detected in the North-East Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and the South-West Pacific.
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Cuvertoret-Sanz M, López-Figueroa C, O'Byrne A, Canturri A, Martí-Garcia B, Pintado E, Pérez L, Ganges L, Cobos A, Abarca ML, Raga JA, Van Bressem MF, Domingo M. Causes of cetacean stranding and death on the Catalonian coast (western Mediterranean Sea), 2012-2019. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2020; 142:239-253. [PMID: 33331291 DOI: 10.3354/dao03550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The causes of cetacean stranding and death along the Catalan coast between 2012 and 2019 were systematically investigated. Necropsies and detailed pathological investigations were performed on 89 well-preserved stranded cetaceans, including 72 striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba, 9 Risso's dolphins Grampus griseus, 5 bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, 1 common dolphin Delphinus delphis, 1 Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris and 1 fin whale Balaenoptera physalus. The cause of death was determined for 89.9% of the stranded cetaceans. Fisheries interaction was the most frequent cause of death in striped dolphins (27.8%) and bottlenose dolphins (60%). Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) was detected on the Catalan coast from 2016 to 2017, causing systemic disease and death in 8 of the 72 (11.1%) striped dolphins. Chronic CeMV infection of the central nervous system was observed from 2018-2019 in a further 5 striped dolphins. Thus, acute and chronic CeMV disease caused mortality in 18% of striped dolphins and 14.6% of all 89 cetaceans. Brucella ceti was isolated in 6 striped dolphins and 1 bottlenose dolphin with typical brucellosis lesions and in 1 striped dolphin with systemic CeMV. Sinusitis due to severe infestation by the nematode parasite Crassicauda grampicola caused the death of 4 out of 6 adult Risso's dolphins. Maternal separation, in some cases complicated with septicemia, was a frequent cause of death in 13 of 14 calves. Other less common causes of death were encephalomalacia of unknown origin, septicemia, peritonitis due to gastric perforation by parasites and hepatitis caused by Sarcocystis spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cuvertoret-Sanz
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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Lacombe A, Pintado E, O'Byrne A, Allepuz A, Pérez-Rodriguez L, Domingo M. Ingestion of foreign materials by odontocetes along the Catalan coast: causes and consequences. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2020; 142:23-31. [PMID: 33150872 DOI: 10.3354/dao03527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ingestion of abnormal materials by cetaceans has been reported worldwide, but few studies have investigated the causes of foreign material ingestion. We retrospectively analysed necropsies performed between 2012 and 2019 on 88 cetaceans stranded along the coast of Catalonia, Spain, and evaluated the association of abnormal ingested materials with 2 risk factors, namely disease of the central nervous system (CNS) and maternal separation. Abnormal materials were found in the digestive tract in 19 of 88 (21.6%) cetaceans; of these, 13 (60%) had lesions in the CNS, such as morbilliviral encephalitis, neurobrucellosis or encephalomalacia, and 3 were diagnosed as having experienced maternal separation. In a logistic regression model, CNS lesions and maternal separation were identified as risk factors for ingestion of foreign material, but with wide confidence intervals, probably due to the small sample size. In contrast, abnormal ingestion was not identified in any of the 25 (28%) cetaceans whose cause of death was attributed to interaction with humans. Abnormal ingestion should be interpreted with caution, and efforts should be made at necropsy to exclude CNS diseases through pathologic and microbiologic investigations. If disease of the CNS is a significant risk factor for ingestion of marine debris by small odontocetes, results of monitoring programmes may be biased by the prevalence of CNS disease in a specific area or population.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lacombe
- Facultat de Veterinària de Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Catalunya, Spain
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Martínez-López E, Peñalver J, Escriña A, Lara L, Gens MJ, María Dolores E, Alcaraz A, García-Fernández AJ. Trace metals in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded along the Murcia coastline, Mediterranean Sea, during the period 2009-2015. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 229:580-588. [PMID: 31100629 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.04.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and arsenic (As) concentrations in internal tissues of 72 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Murcia Region (Mediterranean coastline) have been investigated for the first time. Hg showed the highest concentration, followed by Se, Cd, As and Pb. In general, the levels of metal found in this study were similar to those described in similar studies in the Mediterranean Sea. However, in some adult specimens, Hg liver concentrations were related with toxic effects in cetacean. A significant correlation was observed with age, likewise between Se and Hg and Cd in tissues, which agree with detoxify effect attributed to Se through inert complex formation. Molar ratio Hg:Se in liver was close to 1:1 in some specimens, which would indicate overload of the Hg-Se detoxify function and compromised health. These results could contribute to a better knowledge of the distribution of these persistent pollutants in the Mediterranean Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Martínez-López
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Laboratory of Toxicology, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, Spain.
| | - J Peñalver
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (CARM), 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - A Escriña
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - L Lara
- "El Valle" Wildlife Recovery Center (CARM), 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - M J Gens
- "El Valle" Wildlife Recovery Center (CARM), 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - E María Dolores
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (CARM), 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - A Alcaraz
- Agrarian and Animal Health Laboratory (CARM), 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - A J García-Fernández
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Laboratory of Toxicology, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, Spain
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Rubio-Guerri C, Jiménez MÁ, Melero M, Díaz-Delgado J, Sierra E, Arbelo M, Bellière EN, Crespo-Picazo JL, García-Párraga D, Esperón F, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. Genetic heterogeneity of dolphin morbilliviruses detected in the Spanish Mediterranean in inter-epizootic period. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:248. [PMID: 30143035 PMCID: PMC6109331 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1559-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the last 20 years, Cetacean Morbillivirus (CeMV) has been responsible for many die-offs in marine mammals worldwide, as clearly exemplified by the three dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) epizootics of 1990–1992, 2006–2008 and 2011 that affected Mediterranean striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). Systemic infection caused by DMV in the Mediterranean has been reported only during these outbreaks. Results We report the infection of five striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded on the Spanish Mediterranean coast of Valencia after the last DMV outbreak that ended in 2011. Animal 1 stranded in late 2011 and Animal 2 in 2012. Systemic infection affecting all tissues was found based on histopathology and positive immunohistochemical and polymerase chain reaction positive results. Animal 3 stranded in 2014; molecular and immunohistochemical detection was positive only in the central nervous system. Animals 4 and 5 stranded in 2015, and DMV antigen was found in several tissues. Partial sequences of the DMV phosphoprotein (P), nucleoprotein (N), and hemagglutinin (H) genes were identical for Animals 2, 3, 4, and 5, and were remarkably different from those in Animal 1. The P sequence from Animal 1 was identical to that of the DMV strain that caused the epizootic of 2011 in the Spanish Mediterranean. The corresponding sequence from Animals 2–5 was identical to that from a striped dolphin stranded in 2011 on the Canary Islands and to six dolphins stranded in northeastern Atlantic of the Iberian Peninsula. Conclusions These results suggest the existence of an endemic infection cycle among striped dolphins in the Mediterranean that may lead to occasional systemic disease presentations outside epizootic periods. This cycle involves multiple pathogenic viral strains, one of which may have originated in the Atlantic Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Consuelo Rubio-Guerri
- VISAVET Center and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta del Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain. .,Fundación Oceanografic de la Comunitat Valenciana, C/. Eduardo Primo Yúfera (Científic) 1B, 46013, Valencia, Spain.
| | - M Ángeles Jiménez
- Medicine and Surgery Department (Anatomic Pathology), Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Melero
- VISAVET Center and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta del Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Josué Díaz-Delgado
- Unit of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontaña, s, /n 35416, Arucas (Las Palmas), Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Eva Sierra
- Unit of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontaña, s, /n 35416, Arucas (Las Palmas), Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Unit of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontaña, s, /n 35416, Arucas (Las Palmas), Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Edwige N Bellière
- National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, Ctra. de Algete a El Casar s/n, 28130, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose L Crespo-Picazo
- Fundación Oceanografic de la Comunitat Valenciana, C/. Eduardo Primo Yúfera (Científic) 1B, 46013, Valencia, Spain
| | - Daniel García-Párraga
- Fundación Oceanografic de la Comunitat Valenciana, C/. Eduardo Primo Yúfera (Científic) 1B, 46013, Valencia, Spain.,Veterinary Services, Avanqua Oceanogràfic S.L., C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera (Científic) 1B, 46013, Valencia, Spain
| | - Fernando Esperón
- National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, Ctra. de Algete a El Casar s/n, 28130, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose M Sánchez-Vizcaíno
- VISAVET Center and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta del Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Kemper CM, Tomo I, Bingham J, Bastianello SS, Wang J, Gibbs SE, Woolford L, Dickason C, Kelly D. Morbillivirus-associated unusual mortality event in South Australian bottlenose dolphins is largest reported for the Southern Hemisphere. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2016; 3:160838. [PMID: 28083115 PMCID: PMC5210697 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Cases of morbillivirus have been recorded in the Southern Hemisphere but have not been linked to significant marine mammal mortality. Post-mortems were conducted on 58 carcasses (44 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, two common bottlenose dolphins, 12 short-beaked common dolphins) from South Australia during 2005-2013, including an unusual mortality event (UME) in St Vincent Gulf Bioregion (SVG) during 2013. Diagnostic pathology, circumstance of death, body condition, age and stomach contents were documented for Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. At least 50 dolphins died during the UME, 41 were Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and most were young. The UME lasted about seven months and had two peaks, the first being the largest. Effect on the population is unknown. Diagnostic testing for morbillivirus was conducted on 57 carcasses, with evidence for infection in all species during 2011-2013. All tested UME bottlenose dolphins were positive for cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV), and the pathology included interstitial pneumonia, lymphoid depletion and syncytia. Concurrent pathologies, including lung parasite and fungal infections, and severe cutaneous bruising were observed in many dolphins. The event coincided with elevated water temperatures, a diatom bloom and significant fish die-offs. We conclude that the cause for the UME was multifactorial and that CeMV was a major contributor.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. M. Kemper
- South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - I. Tomo
- South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - J. Bingham
- Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Private Bag 24, 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia
| | - S. S. Bastianello
- Gribbles Veterinary Laboratory, 33 Flemington Street, Glenside, South Australia 5065, Australia
| | - J. Wang
- Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Private Bag 24, 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia
| | - S. E. Gibbs
- Lot 30A, Seaview Road, Yatala Vale, South Australia 5126, Australia
| | - L. Woolford
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia 5371, Australia
| | - C. Dickason
- Biosecurity SA, Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, Research Centre, Lenswood, South Australia 5240, Australia
| | - D. Kelly
- Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, GPO Box 1047, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
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Pérez L, Abarca ML, Latif-Eugenín F, Beaz-Hidalgo R, Figueras MJ, Domingo M. Aeromonas dhakensis pneumonia and sepsis in a neonate Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus from the Mediterranean Sea. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2015; 116:69-74. [PMID: 26378409 DOI: 10.3354/dao02899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A neonate Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus was found stranded alive on a beach in Catalonia, Spain. Rehabilitation attempts were unsuccessful and it died 2 d later, showing pneumonia and sepsis. A pure bacterial culture was obtained from all tissues and blood and identified as Aeromonas hydrophila using the API 20NE. However, sequencing the rpoD gene showed that the strain in fact belongs to A. dhakensis, making this the first report of fatal haemorrhagic-necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis due to this species in a marine mammal. The A. dhakensis strain GMV-704 produced β-haemolysis, possessed several virulence genes and showed sensitivity to several antimicrobials. This study provides a new potential host for A. dhakensis, and its potential virulence in dolphins and its presence in the marine environment may warrant considering this species a potential threat to marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola Pérez
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Veterinary Mycology Group, and Servei de Diagnòstic de Patologia Veterinària, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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Isidoro-Ayza M, Ruiz-Villalobos N, Pérez L, Guzmán-Verri C, Muñoz PM, Alegre F, Barberán M, Chacón-Díaz C, Chaves-Olarte E, González-Barrientos R, Moreno E, Blasco JM, Domingo M. Brucella ceti infection in dolphins from the Western Mediterranean sea. BMC Vet Res 2014; 10:206. [PMID: 25224818 PMCID: PMC4180538 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-014-0206-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brucella ceti infections have been increasingly reported in cetaceans. Brucellosis in these animals is associated with meningoencephalitis, abortion, discospondylitis', subcutaneous abscesses, endometritis and other pathological conditions B. ceti infections have been frequently described in dolphins from both, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In the Mediterranean Sea, only two reports have been made: one from the Italian Tyrrhenian Sea and the other from the Adriatic Sea. RESULTS We describe the clinical and pathological features of three cases of B. ceti infections in three dolphins stranded in the Mediterranean Catalonian coast. One striped dolphin had neurobrucellosis, showing lethargy, incoordination and lateral swimming due to meningoencephalitis, A B. ceti infected bottlenose dolphin had discospondylitis, and another striped dolphin did not show clinical signs or lesions related to Brucella infection. A detailed characterization of the three B. ceti isolates was performed by bacteriological, molecular, protein and fatty acid analyses. CONCLUSIONS All the B. ceti strains originating from Mediterranean dolphins cluster together in a distinct phylogenetic clade, close to that formed by B. ceti isolates from dolphins inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean. Our study confirms the severity of pathological signs in stranded dolphins and the relevance of B. ceti as a pathogen in the Mediterranean Sea.
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Central Nervous System Mucormycosis Caused by Cunninghamella Bertholletiae in a Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). J Wildl Dis 2014; 50:634-8. [DOI: 10.7589/2013-10-284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Retrospective study of etiologic agents associated with nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis in stranded cetaceans in the canary islands. J Clin Microbiol 2014; 52:2390-7. [PMID: 24759718 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02906-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nineteen natural cases of etiologically undetermined encephalitides in free-ranging cetaceans were studied retrospectively. Histological examination of the brains revealed variable degrees of nonsuppurative encephalitis or meningoencephalitis, characterized predominantly by perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrates. A PCR assay was used on brain and other available tissues to detect the presence of morbillivirus, herpesvirus, West Nile virus, Toxoplasma gondii, and Brucella spp. In addition, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed on selected tissues to determine the presence of morbilliviral antigens. Six animals (5 striped dolphins and 1 common dolphin) showed IHC and/or molecular evidence of morbilliviral antigens and/or genomes, mainly in brain tissue. Conventional nested PCR detected herpesviral DNA in brain tissue samples from two striped dolphins. There was no evidence of West Nile virus, T. gondii, or Brucella spp. in any of the brain tissue samples examined. The information presented here increases the number of confirmed morbillivirus-positive cases within the Canarian archipelago from two previously reported cases to eight. Furthermore, a new nested-PCR method for the detection of morbillivirus is described here. Regarding herpesvirus, the phylogenetic analysis performed in the current study provides valuable information about a possible pathogenic branch of cetacean alphaherpesviruses that might be responsible for some fatal cases worldwide.
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van Elk CE, van de Bildt MWG, Jauniaux T, Hiemstra S, van Run PRWA, Foster G, Meerbeek J, Osterhaus ADME, Kuiken T. Is dolphin morbillivirus virulent for white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)? Vet Pathol 2014; 51:1174-82. [PMID: 24399208 DOI: 10.1177/0300985813516643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The virulence of morbilliviruses for toothed whales (odontocetes) appears to differ according to host species. In 4 species of odontocetes, morbilliviruses are highly virulent, causing large-scale epizootics with high mortality. In 8 other species of odontocetes, including white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), morbilliviruses have been found as an incidental infection. In these species, the virulence of morbilliviruses is not clear. Therefore, the admission of 2 white-beaked dolphins with morbillivirus infection into a rehabilitation center provided a unique opportunity to investigate the virulence of morbillivirus in this species. By phylogenetic analysis, the morbilliviruses in both animals were identified as a dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) most closely related to that detected in a white-beaked dolphin in Germany in 2007. Both animals were examined clinically and pathologically. Case No. 1 had a chronic neural DMV infection, characterized by polioencephalitis in the cerebrum and morbillivirus antigen expression limited to neurons and glial cells. Surprisingly, no nervous signs were observed in this animal during the 6 months before death. Case No. 2 had a subacute systemic DMV infection, characterized by interstitial pneumonia, leucopenia, lymphoid depletion, and DMV antigen expression in mononuclear cells and syncytia in the lung and in mononuclear cells in multiple lymphoid organs. Cause of death was not attributed to DMV infection in either animal. DMV was not detected in 2 contemporaneously stranded white-beaked dolphins. Stranding rate did not increase in the region. These results suggest that DMV is not highly virulent for white-beaked dolphins.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E van Elk
- Dolfinarium Harderwijk, Strandboulevard Oost 1, Harderwijk, Netherlands
| | | | - T Jauniaux
- Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Boulevard de Colonster 20, Liège 1, Belgium
| | - S Hiemstra
- Faculteit Diergeneeskunde, Universiteit Utrecht, Yalelaan 1, De Uithof, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - G Foster
- SAC Veterinary Services, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - J Meerbeek
- Stichting SOS-Dolfijn, Strandboulevard Oost 1, Harderwijk, Netherlands
| | | | - T Kuiken
- Erasmus Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, Netherlands
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Toxoplasmosis in a Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) from Paraná, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2013; 191:358-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Revised: 08/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Soto S, Alba A, Ganges L, Vidal E, Raga JA, Alegre F, González B, Medina P, Zorrilla I, Martínez J, Marco A, Pérez M, Pérez B, Pérez de Vargas Mesas A, Martínez Valverde R, Domingo M. Post-epizootic chronic dolphin morbillivirus infection in Mediterranean striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2011; 96:187-194. [PMID: 22132497 DOI: 10.3354/dao02387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) has caused 2 epizootics with high mortality rates on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, in 1990 and 2006-07, mainly affecting striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba. Following the first epizootic unusual DMV infections affecting only the central nervous system of striped dolphins were found, with histological features similar to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and old dog encephalitis, the chronic latent localised infections caused by defective forms of measles virus and canine distemper virus, respectively. Between 2008 and 2010, monitoring by microscopic and immunohistochemical (IHC) studies of 118 striped dolphins stranded along Catalonia, the Valencia Region and Andalusia showed similar localised DMV nervous system infections in 25.0, 28.6 and 27.4% of cases, respectively, with no significant differences among regions or sex. The body length of DMV-infected dolphins was statistically greater than that of non-infected dolphins (196.5 vs. 160.5 cm; p < 0.001). Molecular detection of DMV was performed by 2 different RT-PCR techniques amplifying a 429 bp fragment and a 78 bp fragment both within the phosphoprotein (P) gene. The 429 bp RT-PCR results contradicted the IHC-DMV results as only 3 of 6 dolphins with positive IHC-DMV had positive PCR results. All 6 cases were positive with the 78 bp RT-PCR. These findings contraindicate the use of the 429 bp RT-PCR protocol based on the P gene to detect this specific form of DMV. DMV localised nervous infection constitutes the most relevant single cause of stranding and death in Mediterranean striped dolphins in the years following a DMV epizootic, and it might even overwhelm the effects of the epizootic itself, at least in 2007.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Soto
- 'CRESA (Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal), Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra-Barcelona, Spain.
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