1
|
La THA, McMillan IA, Dahal P, Burger AH, Belcaid M, Phelps DM, Goldstein SM, Brown VR, Norris MH. Tracking sero-molecular trends of swine brucellosis in Hawai'i and the central Pacific. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1440933. [PMID: 39296852 PMCID: PMC11408231 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1440933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of mammals caused by bacterial species of the Brucella genus. The reservoir for disease is typically mammals, with species of Brucella found infecting amphibians, bats, and marine mammals. Brucella spp. can pass directly to humans through contact with infected animals or their products. Brucella spp. can cause chronic debilitating infections in mammals, including humans, and is associated with spontaneous abortions in infected animals, causing reduced fecundity. In Hawai'i, terrestrial species that could harbor Brucella spp. include swine, cattle, horses, and axis deer among others. The numerous feral swine in Hawai'i are known to carry Brucella suis, with evidence supporting infections in cattle. Brucella suis also poses infection risk to humans, dogs, and potentially horses across the state. Methods In this study, 3,274 feral swine serum samples collected from 5 of the 8 main islands over a 15-year span were analyzed for exposure to B. suis. Of the 558 watersheds in the state, 77 were sampled as part of this effort. Spatial analysis was used to identify watersheds of concern. MLVA and whole genome SNP analysis was used for molecular epidemiological analysis. Results Statewide seropositivity rates were triple that of feral swine found in the conterminous United States. Smoothed positivity rates were highest on Maui, followed by O'ahu, and the island of Hawai'i. Island-by-island analysis found high brucellosis positivity levels associated with specific watersheds and agricultural areas. Local spatial autocorrelation identified hot spots on O'ahu and Hawai'i. MLVA analysis of available B. suis from Hawai'i found molecular epidemiological connections with B. suis found in French Polynesia and the mainland US while differing from those in Tonga, Western Polynesia. Strains from Hawai'i are phylogenetically closest to strains from the United States. MLVA and SNP analysis found B. suis strains from Hawai'i fell into the genetic group that contains biovar 1 B. suis. Discussion This work identified islands and watersheds of high brucellosis seropositivity in feral swine of Hawai'i, highlighting the magnitude of the zoonotic risk. Introduction of strains in recent history is unlikely due to modern animal trade and disease control practices. Genomic analysis of strains in Hawai'i and the Pacific area can provide hidden historical and local clues to brucellosis epidemiology in the state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thi Hai Au La
- Pathogen Analysis and Translational Health Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Ian A McMillan
- Pathogen Analysis and Translational Health Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Prashant Dahal
- Pathogen Analysis and Translational Health Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Andrew H Burger
- Department of Oceanography, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Mahdi Belcaid
- Department of Information and Computer Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Darrin M Phelps
- Wildlife Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Samuel M Goldstein
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Disease Program, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Vienna R Brown
- National Feral Swine Damage Management Program, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Michael H Norris
- Pathogen Analysis and Translational Health Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Martino L, Cuvertoret-Sanz M, Wilkinson S, Allepuz A, Perlas A, Ganges L, Pérez L, Domingo M. Serological Investigation for Brucella ceti in Cetaceans from the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2417. [PMID: 39199951 PMCID: PMC11350667 DOI: 10.3390/ani14162417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurobrucellosis in cetaceans, caused by Brucella ceti, is a relevant cause of death in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Mediterranean Sea. Serological tests are not used as a routinary technique for the diagnosis of this infection. We briefly describe the pathological findings of nine free-ranging stranded cetaceans diagnosed with Brucella disease or infection in our veterinary necropsy service from 2012 to 2022. The findings included focal diskospondylitis and non-suppurative meningitis, choroiditis and radiculitis. Additionally, an exploratory serological study was conducted in sixty-six frozen sera collected in the period 2012-2022 from fifty-seven striped dolphins, five Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), two common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), one common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and one pilot whale (Globicephala melas) to compare antibody levels in Brucella-infected (n = 8) and non-infected (n = 58) animals, classified by the cause of death, sex, age class and cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) infection status. The authors hypothesized that active infection in cases of neurobrucellosis would elicit a stronger, detectable humoral response compared to subclinical infections. We performed a commercial competition ELISA (cELISA) using serial serum dilutions for each sample, considering a percentage of inhibition (PI) of ≥40% as positive. A titer of 1:160 was arbitrarily determined as the seropositivity threshold. Seropositive species included striped dolphins and Risso's dolphins. Seroprevalence was higher in animals with neurobrucellosis (87.5%) compared to the overall seroprevalence (31.8%) and to other causes of death, indicating, likely, a high sensitivity but low specificity for neurobrucellosis. Animals with chronic CeMV seemed to have higher seroprevalences, as well as juveniles, which also had a higher disease prevalence. These results indicate, as in other studies, that antibodies are not decisive against clinical brucellosis, although they may indicate a carrier state, and that CeMV may influence Brucella epidemiology. More research is required to elucidate the epidemiology and pathogenesis and to resolve the complicated host-pathogen interaction in Brucella species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martino
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.A.); (M.D.)
| | - María Cuvertoret-Sanz
- Servei de Diagnòstic de Patologia Veterinària, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (M.C.-S.); (S.W.)
| | - Sarah Wilkinson
- Servei de Diagnòstic de Patologia Veterinària, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (M.C.-S.); (S.W.)
| | - Alberto Allepuz
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.A.); (M.D.)
| | - Albert Perlas
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.A.); (M.D.)
| | - Llilianne Ganges
- IRTA—Institut de Recerca en Sanitat Animal, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain;
| | - Lola Pérez
- Facultat de Veterinària de Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain;
| | - Mariano Domingo
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.A.); (M.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
ATTIA EL HILI H, MAATOUK K. [Zoonotic potential of brucellosis in marine mammals]. MEDECINE TROPICALE ET SANTE INTERNATIONALE 2024; 4:mtsi.v4i1.2024.489. [PMID: 38846127 PMCID: PMC11151931 DOI: 10.48327/mtsi.v4i1.2024.489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Brucellosis in marine mammals (cetacean and pinnipeds) has emerged in a very significant way during the last two decades. Currently Brucella ceti and Brucella pinnipedialis are the two recognized species in marine mammals, but available information is still limited. Several genotypes have been identified, and studies on the relationship between sequence type (ST) and organ pathogenicity or tropism have indicated differences in pathogenesis between B. ceti sequences in cetaceans. The zoonotic potential of this disease is based on the identification of the main sources of introduction and spread of Brucella spp. in the marine environment as well as on the factors of exposure of marine mammals and humans to the bacteria. Bibliographic review This article is a bibliographical review on marine mammal brucellosis, including the features, sources and transmission modes of each Brucella species, as well as their potential pathogenicity in animals and humans. Conclusion Different genotypes of marine Brucella spp have been isolated from marine mammal species but without any evidence of pathology induced by these bacteria. Associated lesions are variable and include subcutaneous abscesses, meningo-encephalomyelitis, pneumonia, myocarditis, osteoarthritis, orchitis, endometritis, placentitis and abortion. The isolation of marine B. spp from marine mammal respiratory parasites associated to lung injury has raised the intriguing possibility that they may serve as a vector for the transmission of this bacterium.The severity of marine B. spp remains unknown due to the lack of an estimate of the prevalence of this disease in marine mammals. The number of suspected human cases is still very limited. However, by analogy with other germs of the genus Brucella responsible for abortion in ruminants and for a febrile and painful state in human beings, prevention measures are essential. The significant increase in the number of strandings coupled with a high seroprevalence in certain species of marine mammals must be considered for people in direct or indirect contact with these animals. Ongoing epidemiological monitoring combined with extensive post-mortem examinations (necropsy, bacteriology and sequencing) of all species of stranded marine mammals would deepen knowledge on the zoonotic potential of marine Brucella species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kaouthar MAATOUK
- Institut national des sciences et technologies de la mer, Monastir, Tunisie
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
OHISHI K, TAJIMA Y, ABE E, YAMADA TK, MARUYAMA T. Brucella infection in rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) with severe orchitis stranded on the Pacific coast of Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2024; 86:295-299. [PMID: 38267042 PMCID: PMC10963093 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.23-0270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In the western North Pacific, prominent granulomatous testes have been detected in many Brucella-infected common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), but there have been no reports in toothed cetaceans. We found severe orchitis with granulomatous lesions in a rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) stranded on the Pacific coast of Japan in 2011. Histopathological examination revealed leukocyte infiltration of the lesions. DNA from the lesion was analyzed by PCR and it showed molecular biological similarities with those of Brucella-infected common minke whales and Brucella ceti of sequence-type 27 (ST27). These results suggest that the type of Brucella ceti that infected the dolphin was ST27, which may have caused severe orchitis. This study adds to our understanding of Brucella infections in marine mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazue OHISHI
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Kanagawa Institute of Technology, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuko TAJIMA
- National Museum of Nature and Science, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Erika ABE
- Department of Marine Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Tadashi MARUYAMA
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vargas-Castro I, Crespo-Picazo JL, Fayos M, Jiménez-Martínez MDLÁ, Torre-Fuentes L, Álvarez J, Moura AE, Hernández M, Buendía A, Barroso-Arévalo S, García-Seco T, Pérez-Sancho M, De Miguel MJ, Andrés-Barranco S, Marco-Cabedo V, Peñin-Villahoz G, Muñoz PM, Domínguez L, García-Párraga D, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. New insights into the pathogenesis and transmission of Brucella pinnipedialis: systemic infection in two bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus). Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0199723. [PMID: 37800951 PMCID: PMC10848334 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01997-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Brucella spp. are zoonotic pathogens that can affect both terrestrial and marine mammals. Brucella ceti has been identified in various cetacean species, but only one sequence type (ST27) has been reported in humans. However, it is important to conduct surveillance studies to better understand the impact of marine Brucella species on marine mammals, a typically understudied host group. Here, we describe a systemic infection by two related strains of Brucella pinnipedialis (ST25) in a couple of live-stranded bottlenose dolphins, with more severe lesions in the younger animal. Furthermore, B. pinnipedialis was first detected in milk from a female cetacean that stranded with its offspring. Our study reveals novel insights into the epidemiology and pathological consequences of B. pinnipedialis infections in cetaceans, emphasizing the crucial importance of ongoing surveillance and accurate diagnosis to understand the impact of this pathogen on marine mammal populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Vargas-Castro
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Manena Fayos
- Centro de Recuperación de Fauna Silvestre de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | | | - Laura Torre-Fuentes
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio Álvarez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - André E. Moura
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Hernández
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Aranzazu Buendía
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Barroso-Arévalo
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa García-Seco
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Pérez-Sancho
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Jesús De Miguel
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA) - Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), Zaragoza, España, Spain
| | - Sara Andrés-Barranco
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA) - Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), Zaragoza, España, Spain
| | - Vicente Marco-Cabedo
- />Fundación Oceanogràfic. Oceanogràfic. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Pilar María Muñoz
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA) - Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), Zaragoza, España, Spain
| | - Lucas Domínguez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel García-Párraga
- />Fundación Oceanogràfic. Oceanogràfic. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Grattarola C, Petrella A, Lucifora G, Di Francesco G, Di Nocera F, Pintore A, Cocumelli C, Terracciano G, Battisti A, Di Renzo L, Farina D, Di Francesco CE, Crescio MI, Zoppi S, Dondo A, Iulini B, Varello K, Mignone W, Goria M, Mattioda V, Giorda F, Di Guardo G, Janowicz A, Tittarelli M, De Massis F, Casalone C, Garofolo G. Brucella ceti Infection in Striped Dolphins from Italian Seas: Associated Lesions and Epidemiological Data. Pathogens 2023; 12:1034. [PMID: 37623994 PMCID: PMC10459742 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucella ceti infections have been increasingly reported in cetaceans. In this study, we analyzed all cases of B. ceti infection detected in striped dolphins stranded along the Italian coastline between 2012 and 2021 (N = 24). We focused on the pathogenic role of B. ceti through detailed pathological studies, and ad hoc microbiological, biomolecular, and serological investigations, coupled with a comparative genomic analysis of the strains. Neurobrucellosis was observed in 20 animals. The primary histopathologic features included non-suppurative meningoencephalitis (N = 9), meningitis (N = 6), and meningoencephalomyelitis (N = 5), which was also associated with typical lesions in other tissues (N = 8). Co-infections were detected in more than half of the cases, mostly involving Cetacean Morbillivirus (CeMV). The 24 B. ceti isolates were assigned primarily to sequence type 26 (ST26) (N = 21) and, in a few cases, ST49 (N = 3). The multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) based on whole genome sequencing (WGS) data showed that strains from Italy clustered into four genetically distinct clades. Plotting these clades onto a geographic map suggests a link between their phylogeny and the topographical distribution. These results support the role of B. ceti as a primary neurotropic pathogen for striped dolphins and highlight the utility of WGS data in understanding the evolution of this emerging pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Grattarola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (M.I.C.); (S.Z.); (A.D.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (W.M.); (M.G.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Antonio Petrella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (A.P.); (D.F.)
| | - Giuseppe Lucifora
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 89852 Vibo Valentia, Italy;
| | - Gabriella Di Francesco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (G.D.F.); (L.D.R.)
| | - Fabio Di Nocera
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy;
| | - Antonio Pintore
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Cristiano Cocumelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico del Lazio e della Toscana, 00178 Roma, Italy; (C.C.); (A.B.)
| | | | - Antonio Battisti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico del Lazio e della Toscana, 00178 Roma, Italy; (C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Ludovica Di Renzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (G.D.F.); (L.D.R.)
| | - Donatella Farina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (A.P.); (D.F.)
| | | | - Maria Ines Crescio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (M.I.C.); (S.Z.); (A.D.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (W.M.); (M.G.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Simona Zoppi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (M.I.C.); (S.Z.); (A.D.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (W.M.); (M.G.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Alessandro Dondo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (M.I.C.); (S.Z.); (A.D.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (W.M.); (M.G.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Barbara Iulini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (M.I.C.); (S.Z.); (A.D.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (W.M.); (M.G.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Katia Varello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (M.I.C.); (S.Z.); (A.D.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (W.M.); (M.G.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Walter Mignone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (M.I.C.); (S.Z.); (A.D.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (W.M.); (M.G.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Maria Goria
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (M.I.C.); (S.Z.); (A.D.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (W.M.); (M.G.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Virginia Mattioda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (M.I.C.); (S.Z.); (A.D.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (W.M.); (M.G.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Federica Giorda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (M.I.C.); (S.Z.); (A.D.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (W.M.); (M.G.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Giovanni Di Guardo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (C.E.D.F.); (G.D.G.)
| | - Anna Janowicz
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (A.J.); (M.T.); (F.D.M.)
| | - Manuela Tittarelli
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (A.J.); (M.T.); (F.D.M.)
| | - Fabrizio De Massis
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (A.J.); (M.T.); (F.D.M.)
| | - Cristina Casalone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (M.I.C.); (S.Z.); (A.D.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (W.M.); (M.G.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (C.C.)
| | - Giuliano Garofolo
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (A.J.); (M.T.); (F.D.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
de Carvalho TP, da Silva LA, Castanheira TLL, de Souza TD, da Paixão TA, Lazaro-Anton L, Tsolis RM, Santos RL. Cell and Tissue Tropism of Brucella spp. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0006223. [PMID: 37129522 PMCID: PMC10187126 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00062-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucella spp. are facultatively intracellular bacteria that can infect, survive, and multiply in various host cell types in vivo and/or in vitro. The genus Brucella has markedly expanded in recent years with the identification of novel species and hosts, which has revealed additional information about the cell and tissue tropism of these pathogens. Classically, Brucella spp. are considered to have tropism for organs that contain large populations of phagocytes such as lymph nodes, spleen, and liver, as well as for organs of the genital system, including the uterus, epididymis, testis, and placenta. However, experimental infections of several different cultured cell types indicate that Brucella may actually have a broader cell tropism than previously thought. Indeed, recent studies indicate that certain Brucella species in particular hosts may display a pantropic distribution in vivo. This review discusses the available knowledge on cell and tissue tropism of Brucella spp. in natural infections of various host species, as well as in experimental animal models and cultured cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thaynara Parente de Carvalho
- Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California – Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Laice Alves da Silva
- Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Thaís Larissa Lourenço Castanheira
- Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Norte de Minas Gerais, Salinas, Brazil
| | - Tayse Domingues de Souza
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tatiane Alves da Paixão
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Leticia Lazaro-Anton
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California – Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Renee M. Tsolis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California – Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Renato Lima Santos
- Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California – Davis, Davis, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Orsini M, Ianni A, Zinzula L. Brucella ceti and Brucella pinnipedialis genome characterization unveils genetic features that highlight their zoonotic potential. Microbiologyopen 2022; 11:e1329. [PMID: 36314752 PMCID: PMC9597259 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacteria Brucella ceti and Brucella pinnipedialis circulate in marine environments primarily infecting marine mammals, where they cause an often-fatal disease named brucellosis. The increase of brucellosis among several species of cetaceans and pinnipeds, together with the report of sporadic human infections, raises concerns about the zoonotic potential of these pathogens on a large scale and may pose a threat to coastal communities worldwide. Therefore, the characterization of the B. ceti and B. pinnipedialis genetic features is a priority to better understand the pathological factors that may impact global health. Moreover, an in-depth functional analysis of the B. ceti and B. pinnipedialis genome in the context of virulence and pathogenesis was not undertaken so far. Within this picture, here we present the comparative whole-genome characterization of all B. ceti and B. pinnipedialis genomes available in public resources, uncovering a collection of genetic tools possessed by these aquatic bacterial species compared to their zoonotic terrestrial relatives. We show that B. ceti and B. pinnipedialis genomes display a wide host-range infection capability and a polyphyletic phylogeny within the genus, showing a genomic structure that fits the canonical definition of closeness. Functional genome annotation led to identifying genes related to several pathways involved in mechanisms of infection, others conferring pan-susceptibility to antimicrobials and a set of virulence genes that highlight the similarity of B. ceti and B. pinnipedialis genotypes to those of Brucella spp. displaying human-infecting phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Orsini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and GenomicsLegnaroItaly
| | - Andrea Ianni
- Research Unit in Hygiene, Statistics and Public HealthCampus Bio‐Medico di Roma UniversityRomeItaly
| | - Luca Zinzula
- Department of Molecular Structural BiologyMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
- Centro di Educazione Ambientale e alla Sostenibilità (CEAS) Laguna di NoraPulaItaly
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Thompson LA, Goertz CEC, Quakenbush LT, Burek Huntington K, Suydam RS, Stimmelmayr R, Romano TA. Serological Detection of Marine Origin Brucella Exposure in Two Alaska Beluga Stocks. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12151932. [PMID: 35953921 PMCID: PMC9367357 DOI: 10.3390/ani12151932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Brucellosis, the disease caused by Brucella bacteria, is of emerging concern in marine-mammal populations worldwide due to its potential link to reproductive failure, yet is less well-studied than in terrestrial animals, such as cattle. To understand Brucella exposure and disease in two populations of beluga, in Bristol Bay and the eastern Chukchi Sea, Alaska, USA, this study screened animals for the presence of antibodies against the bacterium (serology), as well as tested for the direct presence of bacterial DNA or bacterial growth from tissue samples. More than half of all animals tested, from both populations, were positive for the presence of antibodies, providing evidence of exposure to Brucella. Few animals, however, were positive for the direct detection of Brucella DNA and none resulted in successful bacterial growth, suggesting a lack of active clinical disease. The high rate of exposure in these populations supports the need for long-term monitoring of beluga populations, particular those that are threatened or endangered, such as the Cook Inlet belugas. Abstract Among emerging threats to the Arctic is the introduction, spread, or resurgence of disease. Marine brucellosis is an emerging disease concern among free-ranging cetaceans and is less well-studied than terrestrial forms. To investigate marine-origin Brucella sp. exposure in two beluga stocks in Alaska, USA, this study used serological status as well as real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) and bacterial culture. In total, 55 live-captured–released belugas were tested for Brucella exposure in Bristol Bay (2008–2016) and 112 (8 live-captured; 104 subsistence-harvested) whales were tested in the eastern Chukchi Sea (2007–2017). In total, 73% percent of Bristol Bay live captures, 50% of Chukchi Sea live captures, and 66% of Chukchi Sea harvested belugas were positive on serology. Only 10 of 69 seropositive belugas were rtPCR positive in at least one tissue. Only one seropositive animal was PCR positive in both the spleen and mesenteric lymph node. All animals tested were culture negative. The high prevalence of seropositivity detected suggests widespread exposure in both stocks, however, the low level of rtPCR and culture positive results suggests clinical brucellosis was not prevalent in the belugas surveyed. Continued detection of Brucella exposure supports the need for long-term monitoring of these and other beluga populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Thompson
- Mystic Aquarium, Division of Sea Research Inc., Mystic, CT 06355, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | | | | | | | - Robert S. Suydam
- North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, Utqiagvik, AK 99723, USA; (R.S.S.); (R.S.)
| | - Raphaela Stimmelmayr
- North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, Utqiagvik, AK 99723, USA; (R.S.S.); (R.S.)
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Utqiagvik, AK 99775, USA
| | - Tracy A. Romano
- Mystic Aquarium, Division of Sea Research Inc., Mystic, CT 06355, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Curtiss JB, Colegrove KM, Dianis A, Kinsel MJ, Ahmed N, Fauquier D, Rowles T, Niemeyer M, Rotstein DS, Maddox CW, Terio KA. Brucella ceti sequence type 23, 26, and 27 infections in North American cetaceans. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2022; 148:57-72. [PMID: 35200159 DOI: 10.3354/dao03644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Brucella ceti infection is associated with a variety of disease outcomes in cetaceans globally. Multiple genotypes of B. ceti have been identified. This retrospective aimed to determine if specific lesions were associated with different B. ceti DNA sequence types (STs). Characterization of ST was performed on 163 samples from 88 free-ranging cetaceans, including common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus (T.t.; n = 73), common short-beaked dolphin Delphinus delphis (D.d.; n = 7), striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (n = 3), Pacific white-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus obliquidens (n = 2), sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus (n = 2), and harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena (n = 1), that stranded along the coast of the US mainland and Hawaii. ST was determined using a previously described insertion sequence 711 quantitative PCR. Concordance with 9-locus multi-locus sequence typing was assessed in a subset of samples (n = 18). ST 26 was most commonly identified in adult dolphins along the US east coast with non-suppurative meningoencephalitis (p = 0.009). Animals infected with ST 27 were predominately perinates that were aborted or died shortly after birth with evidence of in utero pneumonia (p = 0.035). Reproductive tract inflammation and meningoencephalitis were also observed in adult T.t. and D.d. with ST 27, though low sample size limited interpretation. ST 23 infections can cause disease in cetacean families other than porpoises (Phocoenidae), including neurobrucellosis in D.d. In total, 11 animals were potentially infected with multiple STs. These data indicate differences in pathogenesis among B. ceti STs in free-ranging cetaceans, and infection with multiple STs is possible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey B Curtiss
- Zoological Pathology Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ohishi K, Kobayashi M, Maruyama T. Anti-Brucella antibodies in seals at coastal locations of Hokkaido, Japan, with focus on life stages. J Vet Med Sci 2022; 84:543-547. [PMID: 35173087 PMCID: PMC9096050 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect antibodies against
Brucella abortus in serum samples from four seal species at nine
coastal locations of Hokkaido, Japan. These antibodies were detected in 27% (32/118) of
Western Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri) at Cape Erimo.
The antibodies were observed in spotted seals (P. largha) in one out of
six at Nemuro, in two out of three at Rebun Island, in one out of two at Bakkai, and in
examined one at Soya. They were also found in respective examined one ribbon seal
(Histriophoca fasciata) and one ringed seal (Pusa
hispida) at Akkeshi. Harbor seals that tested positive were mostly yearlings
(35%, 20/57) and juveniles (45%, 10/22), while only one pup (1/13) and one subadult (1/5)
tested positive with low titers of the antibody; no antibodies were observed in adults
(n=21). These results suggest that Brucella mainly infected harbor seals
from the environment while weaning, and the bacteria were cleared during the early life
stage of the seals. In spotted seals, however, antibodies were also detected in adults,
suggesting that spotted seals could become infected with Brucella even as
adults. It is also possible that a different, more persistent strain of
Brucella may have infected the spotted seals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazue Ohishi
- School of Engineering, Tokyo Polytechnic University.,Department of Clinical Engineering, Kanagawa Institute of Technology
| | - Mari Kobayashi
- Graduate School of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture.,Incorporated Non Profit Organization Marine Wildlife Center of Japan
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Moreno E. The one hundred year journey of the genus Brucella (Meyer and Shaw 1920). FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:5917985. [PMID: 33016322 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Brucella, described by Meyer and Shaw in 1920, comprises bacterial pathogens of veterinary and public health relevance. For 36 years, the genus came to include three species that caused brucellosis in livestock and humans. In the second half of the 20th century, bacteriologists discovered five new species and several 'atypical' strains in domestic animals and wildlife. In 1990, the Brucella species were recognized as part of the Class Alphaproteobacteria, clustering with pathogens and endosymbionts of animals and plants such as Bartonella, Agrobacterium and Ochrobactrum; all bacteria that live in close association with eukaryotic cells. Comparisons with Alphaproteobacteria contributed to identify virulence factors and to establish evolutionary relationships. Brucella members have two circular chromosomes, are devoid of plasmids, and display close genetic relatedness. A proposal, asserting that all brucellae belong to a single species with several subspecies debated for over 70 years, was ultimately rejected in 2006 by the subcommittee of taxonomy, based on scientific, practical, and biosafety considerations. Following this, the nomenclature of having multiples Brucella species prevailed and defined according to their molecular characteristics, host preference, and virulence. The 100-year history of the genus corresponds to the chronicle of scientific efforts and the struggle for understanding brucellosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edgardo Moreno
- Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Campues Benjamín Nuñez, Universidad Nacional, Heredia 40104, Costa Rica
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Matle I, Ledwaba B, Madiba K, Makhado L, Jambwa K, Ntushelo N. Characterisation of Brucella species and biovars in South Africa between 2008 and 2018 using laboratory diagnostic data. Vet Med Sci 2021; 7:1245-1253. [PMID: 33974356 PMCID: PMC8294379 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic bacterial disease of humans and other animals. In the Republic of South Africa (RSA), animal brucellosis is widespread and the current available data on the prevalence of this disease rely solely on serological testing. The primary limitation of brucellosis serology is the lack of discriminatory powers to differentiate between Brucella species and biovars as well as the cross-reactivity observed with other Gram-negative bacteria. AIM The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective laboratory-based survey on Brucella species and biovars isolated from various animal species in SA between 2008 and 2018. MATERIAL AND METHODS The isolation of Brucella species and biovar typing was performed using conventional microbiological techniques. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A total of 963 strains of Brucella species were included in this study with a frequency of detection for B. abortus (n = 883; 91.6%) followed by B. melitensis (n = 42; 4.4%), B. ovis (n = 29; 3.0%) and B. canis (n = 9; 0.9%). Of the 883 strains of B. abortus, 90.1% were typed as B. abortus biovar-1 while 5.7% as B. abortus biovar-2, and 3.3% and 0.5% were B. abortus S19 and B. abortus RB51 vaccine strains, respectively. Among the 42 B. melitensis strains, 71.4% were reported as B. melitensis biovar-1 and 26.2% as B. melitensis biovar-3 while 2.4% was B. melitensis biovar-2. CONCLUSION A retrospective study, such as this one, provides useful information that can be critical in formulating policies and strategies for the control and eradication of brucellosis in animal populations in RSA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Itumeleng Matle
- Bacteriology DivisionARC‐Onderstepoort Veterinary ResearchPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Betty Ledwaba
- Department of Veterinary Tropical DiseasesUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Karabelo Madiba
- Biotechnology DivisionARC‐Onderstepoort Veterinary ResearchPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Lavhelesani Makhado
- Bacteriology DivisionARC‐Onderstepoort Veterinary ResearchPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Kudakwashe Jambwa
- Bacteriology DivisionARC‐Onderstepoort Veterinary ResearchPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Nombasa Ntushelo
- Biometry DivisionAgriculture Research CouncilStellenboschSouth Africa
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Whatmore AM, Foster JT. Emerging diversity and ongoing expansion of the genus Brucella. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 92:104865. [PMID: 33872784 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Remarkable genetic diversity and breadth of host species has been uncovered in the Brucella genus over the past decade, fundamentally changing our concept of what it means to be a Brucella. From ocean fishes and marine mammals, to pond dwelling amphibians, forest foxes, desert rodents, and cave-dwelling bats, Brucella have revealed a variety of previously unknown niches. Classical microbiological techniques have been able to help us classify many of these new strains but at times have limited our ability to see the true relationships among or within species. The closest relatives of Brucella are soil bacteria and the adaptations of Brucella spp. to live intracellularly suggest that the genus has evolved to live in vertebrate hosts. Several recently discovered species appear to have phenotypes that are intermediate between soil bacteria and core Brucella, suggesting that they may represent ancestral traits that were subsequently lost in the traditional species. Remarkably, the broad relationships among Brucella species using a variety of sequence and fragment-based approaches have been upheld when using comparative genomics with whole genomes. Nonetheless, genomes are required for fine-scale resolution of many of the relationships and for understanding the evolutionary history of the genus. We expect that the coming decades will reveal many more hosts and previously unknown diversity in a wide range of environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian M Whatmore
- OIE and FAO Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom.
| | - Jeffrey T Foster
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Santos RL, Souza TD, Mol JPS, Eckstein C, Paíxão TA. Canine Brucellosis: An Update. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:594291. [PMID: 33738302 PMCID: PMC7962550 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.594291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine brucellosis is an infectious and zoonotic disease caused by Brucella canis, which has been reported worldwide, and is a major public health concern due to close contact between dogs and humans. In dogs, canine brucellosis manifests with abortion outbreaks, reproductive failure, enlargement of lymph nodes, and occasionally affects the osteoarticular system, although the occurrence of asymptomatic infections in dogs are not uncommon. In humans, the disease is associated with a febrile syndrome, commonly with non-specific symptoms including splenomegaly, fatigue, and weakness. Infection of dogs occurs mostly by the oronasal route when in contact with contaminated tissues such as aborted fetuses, semen, urine, and vaginal secretions. In humans, contact with contaminated fluids from infected dogs is an important source of infection, and it is an occupational risk for veterinarians, breeders, laboratory workers, among other professionals who deal with infected animals or biological samples. The diagnosis in dogs is largely based on serologic methods. However, serologic diagnosis of canine brucellosis remains very challenging due to the low accuracy of available tests. Molecular diagnostic methods have been increasingly used in the past few years. Treatment of infected dogs is associated with a high frequency of relapse, and should be employed only in selected cases. Currently there are no commercially available vaccines for prevention of canine brucellosis. Therefore, development of novel and improved diagnostic methods as well as the development of efficacious and safe vaccination protocols are needed for an effective control of canine brucellosis and its associated zoonotic risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renato L Santos
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Tayse D Souza
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Juliana P S Mol
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Camila Eckstein
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Tatiane A Paíxão
- Departamento de Patologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sánchez-Sarmiento AM, Ruoppolo V, Muelbert MM, Ferreira Neto JS, Catão-Dias JL. Serological screening for Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. antibodies in southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina from Elephant Island, Antarctica, in 2003 and 2004. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2020; 142:161-170. [PMID: 33331283 DOI: 10.3354/dao03548] [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: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. antibodies were surveyed in 35 southern elephant seals (SESs) Mirounga leonina at Elephant Island (South Shetland Islands), western Antarctic peninsula, in the Austral summer of 2003 and 2004. The rose Bengal test and a commercial competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) were used to detect Brucella spp. exposure, and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with 22 live serovars was used to determine anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies. We found evidence of Brucella spp. exposure in 3 of 35 (8.6%) SESs tested via the c-ELISA displaying high percentage inhibition (PI), similar to other studies in pinnipeds in which Brucella spp. antibodies have been determined. Two of the 3 positives were pups (PI = 70.4 and 86.6%), while the third was an adult female (PI = 48.8%). The 3 c-ELISA positive SESs were additionally tested via the serum agglutination test but were found to be negative. All individuals were negative for antibodies against 22 Leptospira spp. serovars by MAT. These results contribute to the knowledge and monitoring of zoonotic pathogens with epizootic potential in Southern Ocean pinnipeds. Given the potential impact that pathogens may have on the abundance of wild (sometimes threatened and endangered) populations, constant monitoring and surveillance are required to prevent pathogen spread, particularly under forecast climate change scenarios.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angélica Maria Sánchez-Sarmiento
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Di Francesco G, Di Renzo L, Garofolo G, Tittarelli M, Di Guardo G. Two neurotropic pathogens of concern for striped dolphins. Vet Rec 2020; 187:e92. [PMID: 33199502 DOI: 10.1136/vr.m4294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ludovica Di Renzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 - Teramo, Italy
| | - Giuliano Garofolo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 - Teramo, Italy
| | - Manuela Tittarelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 - Teramo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Guardo
- University of Teramo, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 64100 - Teramo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
McFee WE, Wu D, Colegrove K, Terio K, Balthis L, Young R. Occurrence of Brucella ceti in stranded bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus coincides with calving season. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2020; 141:185-193. [PMID: 33089823 DOI: 10.3354/dao03526] [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
Brucellosis is a disease caused by the Gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterium Brucella spp. In terrestrial species, this zoonotic bacterium is a global public health risk, but there is also concern over the zoonotic potential of marine forms, such as B. ceti, which affects cetaceans. Due to the detection of B. ceti in samples from bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus during the 2010-2014 Gulf of Mexico Unusual Mortality Event, a long-term study of the prevalence of Brucella in stranded bottlenose dolphins from South Carolina, USA, was conducted. From 2012 through 2017, 282 stranded bottlenose dolphins were tested for B. ceti via real-time PCR. Nearly 32% of the dolphins tested positive in at least one sample (brain, lung, blowhole swab). Very little information exists in the literature on the occurrence of Brucella spp. in marine mammals, though in terrestrial species, such as cattle and elk, higher prevalence is often reported in spring. Similar results were found in this study with the peak occurrence being between March and June, a known period of calving in South Carolina. Results from this study provide important insights into the occurrence of the marine bacterium B. ceti.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wayne E McFee
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Garofolo G, Petrella A, Lucifora G, Di Francesco G, Di Guardo G, Pautasso A, Iulini B, Varello K, Giorda F, Goria M, Dondo A, Zoppi S, Di Francesco CE, Giglio S, Ferringo F, Serrecchia L, Ferrantino MAR, Zilli K, Janowicz A, Tittarelli M, Mignone W, Casalone C, Grattarola C. Occurrence of Brucella ceti in striped dolphins from Italian Seas. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240178. [PMID: 33007030 PMCID: PMC7531818 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucella ceti infections have been increasingly reported in cetaceans, although a very limited characterization of Mediterranean Brucella spp. isolates has been previously reported and relatively few data exist about brucellosis among cetaceans in Italy. To address this gap, we studied 8 cases of B. ceti infection in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded along the Italian coastline from 2012 to 2018, investigated thanks to the Italian surveillance activity on stranded cetaceans. We focused on cases of stranding in eastern and western Italian seas, occurred along the Apulia (N = 6), Liguria (N = 1) and Calabria (N = 1) coastlines, through the analysis of gross and microscopic findings, the results of microbiological, biomolecular and serological investigations, as well as the detection of other relevant pathogens. The comparative genomic analysis used whole genome sequences of B. ceti from Italy paired with the publicly available complete genomes. Pathological changes consistent with B. ceti infection were detected in the central nervous system of 7 animals, showing non-suppurative meningoencephalitis. In 4 cases severe coinfections were detected, mostly involving Dolphin Morbillivirus (DMV). The severity of B. ceti-associated lesions supports the role of this microbial agent as a primary neurotropic pathogen for striped dolphins. We classified the 8 isolates into the common sequence type 26 (ST-26). Whole genome SNP analysis showed that the strains from Italy clustered into two genetically distinct clades. The first clade comprised exclusively the isolates from Ionian and Adriatic Seas, while the second one included the strain from the Ligurian Sea and those from the Catalonian coast. Plotting these clades onto the geographic map suggests a link between their phylogeny and topographical distribution. These results represent the first extensive characterization of B. ceti isolated from Italian waters reported to date and show the usefulness of WGS for understanding of the evolution of this emerging pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuliano Garofolo
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Antonio Petrella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lucifora
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Vibo Valentia, Italy
| | - Gabriella Di Francesco
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | | | | | - Barbara Iulini
- OIE Collaborating Centre Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Torino, Italy
| | - Katia Varello
- OIE Collaborating Centre Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Giorda
- OIE Collaborating Centre Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Torino, Italy
- Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Maria Goria
- OIE Collaborating Centre Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Dondo
- OIE Collaborating Centre Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Torino, Italy
| | - Simona Zoppi
- OIE Collaborating Centre Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Stefania Giglio
- M.A.R.E. Calabria Association, Montepaone (Catanzaro), Italy
| | - Furio Ferringo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Foggia, Italy
| | - Luigina Serrecchia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Katiuscia Zilli
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Anna Janowicz
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Manuela Tittarelli
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Walter Mignone
- OIE Collaborating Centre Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Torino, Italy
| | - Cristina Casalone
- OIE Collaborating Centre Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Torino, Italy
| | - Carla Grattarola
- OIE Collaborating Centre Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Torino, Italy
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ueno Y, Yanagisawa M, Kino S, Shigeno S, Osaki M, Takamatsu D, Katsuda K, Maruyama T, Ohishi K. Molecular characterization of Brucella ceti from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) with osteomyelitis in the western Pacific. J Vet Med Sci 2020; 82:754-758. [PMID: 32336742 PMCID: PMC7324819 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.20-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the presence of Brucella spp. in the western Pacific has been suggested by epidemiological studies on cetaceans, it has not been confirmed by bacterial isolation. Here, for the first time, we report that a marine Brucella strain was isolated in the western Pacific from a bottlenose dolphin with osteomyelitis. The isolate from the lesion was confirmed to be B. ceti of sequence type 27 by multilocus sequence typing and Bruce-ladder PCR. Infrequent-restriction-site PCR and omp2 gene sequencing revealed that molecular characteristics of this isolate were similar to those of Brucella DNA previously detected from minke whales in the western North Pacific. These results suggest that genetically related Brucella strains circulate in cetacean species in this region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Ueno
- Division of Bacterial and Parasitic Disease, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Makio Yanagisawa
- Okinawa Churashima Foundation, 888 Ishikawa, Kunigamigun Motobucho, Okinawa 905-0214, Japan
| | - Sayuri Kino
- Okinawa Churashima Foundation, 888 Ishikawa, Kunigamigun Motobucho, Okinawa 905-0214, Japan
| | - Satoru Shigeno
- Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Animal Health, 3-1 Kenekadan, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2241, Japan
| | - Makoto Osaki
- Division of Bacterial and Parasitic Disease, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Daisuke Takamatsu
- Division of Bacterial and Parasitic Disease, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan.,The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagito, Gifu, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Ken Katsuda
- Division of Bacterial and Parasitic Disease, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Tadashi Maruyama
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| | - Kazue Ohishi
- School of Engineering, Tokyo Polytechnic University, 1583 Iiyama, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0297, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Detection of Brucella ceti in Two Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoises ( Neophocaena Phocaenoides) Stranded in Hong Kong. J Wildl Dis 2020; 56:698-701. [PMID: 32216678 DOI: 10.7589/2019-05-113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Brucella ceti has been detected in several species of free-ranging odontocetes, in several geographic areas but it has not been reported in Indo-Pacific finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) nor in any odontocetes in waters in the South China Sea. Sampling of odontocetes stranded in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China, was carried out as part of a stranding monitoring program to evaluate the pathogens harbored by these threatened species. A real-time PCR method targeting the Brucella genus-specific 31kDa Brucella cell surface salt extractable (bcsp31) gene, gene sequencing, and phylogenetic characterisation produced three PCR products of the expected size and sequence, from two stranded Indo-Pacific finless porpoises. The PCR products were obtained from brain tissue from of a neonate and from mammary fluid from a sexually mature female. Further testing for this pathogen should be performed to determine whether Brucella ceti might have a detrimental effect on reproduction and calf survival in Indo-Pacific finless porpoises and pose a threat to the conservation of this species. The importance of biosafety and biosecurity measures when handling cetaceans or their tissues and products in the South China Sea is also highlighted.
Collapse
|
22
|
Mackie JT, Blyde D, Harris L, Roe WD, Keyburn AL. Brucellosis associated with stillbirth in a bottlenose dolphin in Australia. Aust Vet J 2020; 98:92-95. [PMID: 32030727 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
A captive adult female bottlenose dolphin presented with stillbirth. The placenta appeared oedematous. No other gross lesions were evident in the placenta or the stillborn calf. Histopathology revealed mild multifocal placentitis and foetal encephalitis. Brucella sp. was isolated from lung, liver, spleen and kidney. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated this organism to be most similar to Brucella ceti sequence type (ST) 27. Brucella sp. DNA was detected in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded placenta and brain by real-time PCR using primers targeting the IS711 gene. Immunohistochemical staining revealed Brucella sp. antigen in placental inflammation. This is the first report of isolation of Brucella sp. from a marine mammal in the Southern Hemisphere and the first report of marine Brucella-associated disease in Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J T Mackie
- QML Vetnostics, Murarrie, Queensland, Australia
| | - D Blyde
- Sea World, Main Beach, Queensland, Australia
| | - L Harris
- QML Vetnostics, Murarrie, Queensland, Australia
| | - W D Roe
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - A L Keyburn
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Esquible JA, Burek-Huntington K, Atkinson S, Klink AC, Bortz E, Goldstein TA, Beckmen K, Pabilonia K, Tiller R. Pathological findings and survey for pathogens associated with reproductive failure in perinatal Steller sea lions Eumetopias jubatus. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2019; 137:131-144. [PMID: 31854331 DOI: 10.3354/dao03421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Steller sea lions (SSLs) Eumetopias jubatus experienced a population decline in the 1960s, leading to the listing of the western stock as endangered and the eastern stock as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act. A decrease of births in the western stock beginning in the late 1960s indicates that reproductive failure may have contributed to the decline. We evaluated the role pathogens play in spontaneous abortions, premature births and neonatal deaths in SSLs. Archived tissues from carcasses (n = 19) collected in Alaska from 2002 to 2015 were tested by PCR for Coxiella burnetii, Brucella spp., Chlamydia and morbilliviruses. Animals examined included 47% premature pups, 32% aborted fetuses, 11% neonates and 11% intrauterine fetuses. Gross necropsy and histology findings were summarized in the context of the PCR findings. Tissues were negative for Chlamydia and C. burnetii. Brucella spp. were detected in the lung tissues of 3 animals, including 1 positive for the ST27 strain, the first detection of Brucella spp. DNA in SSLs. Phocine distemper virus was detected in 3 animals in 2 skin lesions and 1 placenta by hemi-nested diagnostic qRT-PCR. Both skin and the placental lesions had vesiculoulcerative changes, and 1 skin lesion contained inclusion bodies in syncytia and upon histologic examination, suggesting that the lesions may be associated with an infection reminiscent of phocine distemper virus, the first in SSLs. We highlight the continuing need for disease surveillance programs to improve our understanding of the prevalence and potential population impacts of these infectious disease agents for pinnipeds in Alaskan waters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J A Esquible
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 107 Alex Hately, Bethel, AK 99559, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ohishi K, Amano M, Nakamatsu K, Miyazaki N, Tajima Y, Yamada TK, Matsuda A, Ochiai M, Matsuishi TF, Taru H, Iwao H, Maruyama T. Serologic survey of Brucella infection in cetaceans inhabiting along the coast of Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2019; 82:43-46. [PMID: 31748439 PMCID: PMC6983672 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.19-0481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A serologic investigation of Brucella infection was performed in 7 species of cetaceans inhabiting along the coast of Japan. A total of 32 serum samples were examined by
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Brucella abortus and B. canis antigens. One serum sample from five melon-headed whales
(Peponocephala electra) was positive for B. abortus. No serum sample showed positive for B. canis. The ELISA-positive melon-headed whale
serum demonstrated a strong band appearance only against B. abortus antigens in Western blot analysis. Many detected bands were discrete, while some of them had a smeared
appearance. The present results indicate that Brucella infection occurred in melon-headed whale population and the bacterial antigenicity is more similar to that of
B. abortus than B. canis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazue Ohishi
- Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo Polytechnic University, 1583 Iiyama, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0297, Japan
| | - Masao Amano
- Graduate School of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Ken Nakamatsu
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Miyazaki
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan
| | - Yuko Tajima
- National Museum of Nature and Science, 4-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0005, Japan
| | - Tadasu K Yamada
- National Museum of Nature and Science, 4-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0005, Japan
| | - Ayaka Matsuda
- Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan
| | - Mari Ochiai
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Takashi F Matsuishi
- Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan.,Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan
| | - Hajime Taru
- Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History, 499 Iryuda, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0031, Japan
| | - Hajime Iwao
- Niigata City Aquarium, 5932-445 Nishifunami, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 951-8101, Japan
| | - Tadashi Maruyama
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitazato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Sierra E, Fernández A, Felipe-Jiménez I, Zucca D, Di Francesco G, Díaz-Delgado J, Sacchini S, Rivero MA, Arbelo M. Neurobrucellosis in a common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in the Canary Islands. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:353. [PMID: 31638986 PMCID: PMC6805616 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2089-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Brucella spp. isolation is increasingly reported in cetaceans, although associated pathologies, including lesions of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, are less frequently described. Concerning the nervous system, Brucella sp. infection causing meningitis, meningoencephalitis or meningoencephalomyelitis have been extensively reported in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), and less frequently in other cetacean species. Case presentation A juvenile female common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was found stranded alive in Lanzarote (Canary Islands, Spain) in 2005, but died shortly after. On physical examination, the dolphin showed a moderate body condition and was classified as code 2 (fresh dead) at the time of necropsy. The main gross findings were severe multiorgan parasitism, thickened and congested leptomeninges, and (sero)fibrino-suppurative and proliferative arthritis of the shoulder joint. Histopathological examination revealed the distinct features of a sub-acute systemic disease associated with Cetacean Morbillivirus (CeMV) infection. However, brain lesions diverged from those reported in systemic CeMV infection. This led to suspect that there was a coinfecting pathogen, based on the characteristics of the inflammatory response and the lesion distribution pattern in the central nervous system. Brucella sp. was detected in the brain tissue by PCR and Brucella antigen was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in the brain and shoulder joint lesions. Conclusions The zoonotic potential of marine mammal strains of Brucella has been demonstrated both in natural and laboratory conditions. In this study, PCR detected Brucella sp. in the brain of a common bottlenose dolphin stranded in the Canary Islands; the dolphin was also co-infected with CeMV. This is the first detection of Brucella sp. infection in a stranded cetacean in this archipelago. Therefore, we stress the importance of taking adequate measures during the handling of these species to prevent the transmissions of the infection to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Sierra
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, Institute for Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Veterinary School, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416, Arucas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, Institute for Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Veterinary School, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416, Arucas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Idaira Felipe-Jiménez
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, Institute for Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Veterinary School, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416, Arucas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Daniele Zucca
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, Institute for Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Veterinary School, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416, Arucas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Gabriella Di Francesco
- National and international Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Abruzzo e Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Josué Díaz-Delgado
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, Institute for Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Veterinary School, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416, Arucas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.,Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL), College Station, TX, USA
| | - Simona Sacchini
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, Institute for Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Veterinary School, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416, Arucas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Miguel A Rivero
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, Institute for Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Veterinary School, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416, Arucas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, Institute for Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Veterinary School, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416, Arucas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sánchez-Sarmiento AM, Carvalho VL, Díaz-Delgado J, Ressio RA, Fernandes NCCA, Guerra JM, Sacristán C, Groch KR, Silvestre-Perez N, Ferreira-Machado E, Costa-Silva S, Navas-Suárez P, Meirelles ACO, Favero C, Marigo J, Bertozzi CP, Colosio AC, Marcondes MCC, Cremer MJ, Dos Santos Silva N, Ferreira Neto JS, Keid LB, Soares R, Sierra E, Fernández A, Catão-Dias JL. Molecular, serological, pathological, immunohistochemical and microbiological investigation of Brucella spp. in marine mammals of Brazil reveals new cetacean hosts. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:1674-1692. [PMID: 30980699 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Brucella-exposure and infection is increasingly recognized in marine mammals worldwide. To better understand the epidemiology and health impacts of Brucella spp. in marine mammals of Brazil, molecular (conventional PCR and/or real-time PCR), serological (Rose Bengal Test [RBT], Competitive [c]ELISA, Serum Agglutination Test [SAT]), pathological, immunohistochemical (IHC) and/or microbiological investigations were conducted in samples of 129 stranded or by-caught marine mammals (orders Cetartiodactyla [n = 124], Carnivora [n = 4] and Sirenia [n = 1]). Previous serological tests performed on available sera of 27 of the 129 animals (26 cetaceans and one manatee), indicated 10 seropositive cetaceans. Conventional PCR and/or real-time PCR performed in cases with available organs (n = 119) and/or blood or swabs (n = 10) revealed 4/129 (3.1%) Brucella-infected cetaceans (one of them with positive serology; the remaining three with no available sera). Pathological, IHC and/or microbiological analyses conducted in PCR/real-time PCR and/or seropositive cases (n = 13) revealed Brucella-type lesions, including meningitis/meningoencephalitis, pneumonia, necrotizing hepatitis, pericarditis and osteoarthritis in some of those animals, and positive IHC was found in all of them (excepting two live-stranded animals without available organs). Brucella spp. culture attempts were unsuccessful. Our results demonstrated exposure, asymptomatic, acute and chronic Brucella sp. infection in several cetacean species in the Brazilian coast, highlighting the role of this pathogen in stranding and/or death, particularly in Clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene) and short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off Ceará State. Novel hosts susceptible to Brucella included the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei), the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) and the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris). Additionally, three coinfection cases involving Brucella spp. and cetacean morbillivirus, Edwarsiella tarda and Proteus mirabilis were detected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first long-term and large-scale survey of Brucella spp. in marine mammals of South America, widening the spectrum of susceptible hosts and geographical distribution range of this agent with zoonotic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angélica M Sánchez-Sarmiento
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vitor L Carvalho
- Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos-AQUASIS, Caucaia, Brazil
| | - Josué Díaz-Delgado
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Carlos Sacristán
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kátia R Groch
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natalia Silvestre-Perez
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Ferreira-Machado
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samira Costa-Silva
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro Navas-Suárez
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana C O Meirelles
- Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos-AQUASIS, Caucaia, Brazil
| | - Cintia Favero
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Marigo
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina P Bertozzi
- Instituto de Biociências, campus do Litoral Paulista, IB/CLP - Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, São Vicente, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marta J Cremer
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação de Tetrápodes Marinhos e Costeiros, University of the Region of Joinville, São Francisco do Sul, Brazil
| | - Nairléia Dos Santos Silva
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jose Soares Ferreira Neto
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lara B Keid
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Soares
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eva Sierra
- Institute for Animal Health and Food Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Arucas, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Institute for Animal Health and Food Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Arucas, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - José L Catão-Dias
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Scotter SE, Tryland M, Nymo IH, Hanssen L, Harju M, Lydersen C, Kovacs KM, Klein J, Fisk AT, Routti H. Contaminants in Atlantic walruses in Svalbard part 1: Relationships between exposure, diet and pathogen prevalence. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 244:9-18. [PMID: 30317087 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated relationships between organohalogen compound (OHC) exposure, feeding habits, and pathogen exposure in a recovering population of Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) from the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. Various samples were collected from 39 free-living, apparently healthy, adult male walruses immobilised at three sampling locations during the summers of 2014 and 2015. Concentrations of lipophilic compounds (polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides and polybrominated diphenyl ethers) were analysed in blubber samples, and concentrations of perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) were determined in plasma samples. Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen were measured in seven tissue types and surveys for three infectious pathogens were conducted. Despite an overall decline in lipophilic compound concentrations since this population was last studied (2006), the contaminant pattern was similar, including extremely large inter-individual variation. Stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen showed that the variation in OHC concentrations could not be explained by some walruses consuming higher trophic level diets, since all animals were found to feed at a similar trophic level. Antibodies against the bacteria Brucella spp. and the parasite Toxoplasma gondii were detected in 26% and 15% of the walruses, respectively. Given the absence of seal-predation, T. gondii exposure likely took place via the consumption of contaminated bivalves. The source of exposure to Brucella spp. in walruses is still unknown. Parapoxvirus DNA was detected in a single individual, representing the first documented evidence of parapoxvirus in wild walruses. Antibody prevalence was not related to contaminant exposure. Despite this, dynamic relationships between diet composition, contaminant bioaccumulation and pathogen exposure warrant continuing attention given the likelihood of climate change induced habitat and food web changes, and consequently OHC exposure, for Svalbard walruses in the coming decades.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie E Scotter
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9019, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Morten Tryland
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9019, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ingebjørg H Nymo
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9019, Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Stakkevollveien 23, N-9010, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Linda Hanssen
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Mikael Harju
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Kit M Kovacs
- Norwegian Polar Institute, FRAM Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jörn Klein
- University College of Southeast Norway (USN), Post Box 235, N-3603, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Aaron T Fisk
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, FRAM Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sánchez-Sarmiento AM, Carvalho VL, Meirelles ACO, Gravena W, Marigo J, Sacristán C, Costa-Silva S, Groch KR, Silva ND, Ferreira Neto JS, Catão-Dias JL. Survey of Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. antibodies in cetaceans and manatees of the Amazon basin and Atlantic Ocean, Brazil. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2018; 132:1-11. [PMID: 30530926 DOI: 10.3354/dao03312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic mammals can act as sentinels of emerging and resurging pathogens in the environment. Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. are 2 zoonotic pathogens relevant to aquatic mammals, and their detection can be used to assess pathogen exposure. In this study, serum from 84 individuals-63 cetaceans (families Iniidae, n = 37; Delphinidae, n = 22; and Kogiidae, n = 4) and 21 West Indian manatees Trichechus manatus-was tested by the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) for detecting Brucella spp. antibodies, and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for screening Leptospira spp. exposure. Overall, 4.8% (3/63) of cetaceans were positive by RBT and 15.9% (10/63) by c-ELISA for Brucella spp. Serum from 8 c-ELISA positive cetaceans (with available serum) was further tested via serum agglutination test (SAT) and 1 individual was positive. c-ELISA was more sensitive than RBT. Exposure to Brucella spp. was found in 5 cetacean species: Clymene dolphin Stenella clymene, short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus, pygmy killer whale Feresa attenuata, melon-headed whale Peponocephala electra and Atlantic bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus in the Atlantic Ocean, Brazil, expanding the range of known Brucella seropositive aquatic hosts. No evidence of Brucella spp. exposure was found in Iniidae and Kogiidae odontocetes and manatees. Antibodies against Leptospira spp. were not detected in cetaceans and sirenians by MAT. These results contribute to the evaluation of different Brucella spp. serological methods in cetaceans and manatees and highlight the epidemiology of zoonotic pathogens in aquatic mammals of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean and the Amazon basin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angélica M Sánchez-Sarmiento
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Rhyan J, Garner M, Spraker T, Lambourn D, Cheville N. Brucella pinnipedialis in lungworms Parafilaroides sp. and Pacific harbor seals Phoca vitulina richardsi: proposed pathogenesis. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2018; 131:87-94. [PMID: 30460915 DOI: 10.3354/dao03291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Brucella spp. were first isolated from marine mammals in 1994 and since have been described in numerous pinniped and cetacean species with nearly global distribution. Microscopic, electron microscopic, or culture results have shown lungworms in harbor seals to be infected with brucellae, suggesting that the lungworms may serve a role in this infection. In this study, we reviewed archived and more recent case material from 5 Pacific harbor seals from Washington State (USA) with evidence of B. pinnipedialis infection in the lungworm Parafilaroides sp. Twenty-two sections of lung containing approximately 220 Parafilaroides sp., stained with an immunohistochemical technique using antibody to B. abortus, showed approximately 80 (36%) infected nematodes. A few brucellae were also present in lung parenchyma in proximity to nematodes. Infection was present in the first- and fourth-stage larvae in the seal lung and intestines, as well as in the male and female reproductive organs of adult nematodes. Infected sperm deposits in the nematode uterus were suggestive of venereal transmission between lungworms. Massive infection of some degenerate adult lungworms and evidence of degeneration of some developing larvae in utero were observed. Based on these observations, we suggest that Parafilaroides sp., rather than the Pacific harbor seal Phoca vitulina richardsi, is the preferred host of B. pinnipedialis infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack Rhyan
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
A MALDI-TOF MS database with broad genus coverage for species-level identification of Brucella. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006874. [PMID: 30335748 PMCID: PMC6207331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella are highly infectious bacterial pathogens responsible for a severely debilitating zoonosis called brucellosis. Half of the human population worldwide is considered to live at risk of exposure, mostly in the poorest rural areas of the world. Prompt diagnosis of brucellosis is essential to prevent complications and to control epidemiology outbreaks, but identification of Brucella isolates may be hampered by the lack of rapid and cost-effective methods. Nowadays, many clinical microbiology laboratories use Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time Of Flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for routine identification. However, lack of reference spectra in the currently commercialized databases does not allow the identification of Brucella isolates. In this work, we constructed a Brucella MALDI-TOF MS reference database using VITEK MS. We generated 590 spectra from 84 different strains (including rare or atypical isolates) to cover this bacterial genus. We then applied a novel biomathematical approach to discriminate different species. This allowed accurate identification of Brucella isolates at the genus level with no misidentifications, in particular as the closely related and less pathogenic Ochrobactrum genus. The main zoonotic species (B. melitensis, B. abortus and B. suis) could also be identified at the species level with an accuracy of 100%, 92.9% and 100%, respectively. This MALDI-TOF reference database will be the first Brucella database validated for diagnostic and accessible to all VITEK MS users in routine. This will improve the diagnosis and control of brucellosis by allowing a rapid identification of these pathogens. Brucella are bacteria that mainly infect animals. They can also be transmitted to humans and cause a serious disease called brucellosis. Half the world's population is considered exposed, especially in the poorest rural areas. Experts agree that prompt identification of Brucella isolates is essential to provide appropriate treatment to patients and to control epidemiological outbreaks. Mis-identification of these highly infectious pathogens may lead to delays in diagnosis, but also to increased risks of accidental exposure for laboratory workers. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is now the first line of bacterial identification in many routine diagnostic laboratories. However, not all clinical mass spectrometers can identify Brucella. In this work, we updated a database with Brucella spectra to improve the performance of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers. These instruments will now be able to identify accurately Brucella isolates. This will greatly improve the diagnosis of brucellosis.
Collapse
|
31
|
Ohishi K, Abe E, Amano M, Miyazaki N, Boltunov A, Katsumata E, Maruyama T. Detection of serum antibodies to Brucella in Russian aquatic mammals. J Vet Med Sci 2018; 80:1696-1701. [PMID: 30185724 PMCID: PMC6261826 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.18-0330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A serologic survey of Brucella infection was performed in Caspian seals (Pusa caspica, n=71), Baikal seals (P. sibirica, n=7), ringed seals (P. hispida hispida, n=6), and beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas, n=4) inhabiting Russian waters, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Brucella abortus and B. canis as antigens. The sera of 4 Caspian seals (4%) tested positive for B. abortus. The same sera samples demonstrated weaker yet detectable affinity for B. canis antigens. Several discrete bands against B. abortus and B. canis antigens were detected on Western blot analysis of the ELISA-positive seal sera; the bands against B. canis were weaker than those against B. abortus. The sera of 3 beluga whales (75%) were positive for B. abortus antigens but showed no binding to B. canis antigens in the ELISA. The positive whale sera showed a strong band appearance only against B. abortus antigens in the Western blot analysis. Many detected bands were discrete, while some of them had a smeared appearance. The present results indicate that Brucella infection occurred in Caspian seals and beluga whales inhabiting Russian waters, and that the Brucella strains infecting the seals and the whales were antigenetically distinct.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazue Ohishi
- Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 237-0061, Japan
| | - Erika Abe
- Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 237-0061, Japan
| | - Masao Amano
- Graduate School of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Miyazaki
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan.,Japan Marine Science Foundation, 1-1-1 Ikenohata, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0008, Japan
| | - Andrei Boltunov
- Marine Mammal Research and Expedition Center, Moscow 115551, Russia
| | | | - Tadashi Maruyama
- Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 237-0061, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sonne C, Andersen-Ranberg E, Rajala EL, Agerholm JS, Bonefeld-Jørgensen E, Desforges JP, Eulaers I, Jenssen BM, Koch A, Rosing-Asvid A, Siebert U, Tryland M, Mulvad G, Härkönen T, Acquarone M, Nordøy ES, Dietz R, Magnusson U. Seroprevalence for Brucella spp. in Baltic ringed seals ( Phoca hispida ) and East Greenland harp ( Pagophilus groenlandicus ) and hooded ( Cystophora cristata ) seals. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2018; 198:14-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
|
33
|
Foster G, Nymo IH, Kovacs KM, Beckmen KB, Brownlow AC, Baily JL, Dagleish MP, Muchowski J, Perrett LL, Tryland M, Lydersen C, Godfroid J, McGovern B, Whatmore AM. First isolation of Brucella pinnipedialis and detection of Brucella antibodies from bearded seals Erignathus barbatus. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2018; 128:13-20. [PMID: 29565250 DOI: 10.3354/dao03211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Brucella species infecting marine mammals was first reported in 1994 and in the years since has been documented in various species of pinnipeds and cetaceans. While these reports have included species that inhabit Arctic waters, the few available studies on bearded seals Erignathus barbatus have failed to detect Brucella infection to date. We report the first isolation of Brucella pinnipedialis from a bearded seal. The isolate was recovered from the mesenteric lymph node of a bearded seal that stranded in Scotland and typed as ST24, a sequence type associated typically with pinnipeds. Furthermore, serological studies of free-ranging bearded seals in their native waters detected antibodies to Brucella in seals from the Chukchi Sea (1990-2011; 19%) and Svalbard (1995-2007; 8%), whereas no antibodies were detected in bearded seals from the Bering Sea or Bering Strait or from captive bearded seals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Foster
- SAC Consulting Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness IV2 4JZ, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
We summarized the neuropathologic findings in 60 cetaceans stranded along the Italian coastline from 2002 to 2014. The following neuropathologic changes were detected in 45% (27/60) of animals: nonsuppurative meningo-encephalitides (30%, 18/60), nonspecific lesions (12%, 7/60), suppurative encephalitis (2%, 1/60), and neoplasm (2%, 1/60). No histologic lesions were found in 47% (28/60) of the specimens. Five (8%, 5/60) samples were unsuitable for analysis. Analysis with PCR detected Brucella spp., morbillivirus, and Toxoplasma gondii infection in one, six, and seven individuals, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed positivity for morbillivirus and for T. gondii infection in three cases each. No evidence of the scrapie-associated prion protein PrPSc was detected. Our findings underscore the importance of an adequate surveillance system for monitoring aquatic mammal pathologies and for protecting both animal and human health.
Collapse
|
35
|
Duncan CG, Tiller R, Mathis D, Stoddard R, Kersh GJ, Dickerson B, Gelatt T. Brucella placentitis and seroprevalence in northern fur seals ( Callorhinus ursinus) of the Pribilof Islands, Alaska. J Vet Diagn Invest 2018; 26:507-512. [PMID: 24803576 DOI: 10.1177/1040638714532647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella species infect a wide range of hosts with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. In mammals, one of the most significant consequences of Brucella infection is reproductive failure. There is evidence of Brucella exposure in many species of marine mammals, but the outcome of infection is often challenging to determine. The eastern Pacific stock of northern fur seals (NFSs, Callorhinus ursinus) has declined significantly, spawning research into potential causes for this trend, including investigation into reproductive health. The objective of the current study was to determine if NFSs on St. Paul Island, Alaska have evidence of Brucella exposure or infection. Archived DNA extracted from placentas ( n = 119) and serum ( n = 40) samples were available for testing by insertion sequence (IS) 711 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the Brucella microagglutination test (BMAT), respectively. As well, placental tissue was available for histologic examination. Six (5%) placentas were positive by PCR, and a single animal had severe placentitis. Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis profiles were highly clustered and closely related to other Brucella pinnipedialis isolates. A single animal was positive on BMAT, and 12 animals had titers within the borderline range; 1 borderline animal was positive by PCR on serum. The findings suggest that NFSs on the Pribilof Islands are exposed to Brucella and that the organism has the ability to cause severe placental disease. Given the population trend of the NFS, and the zoonotic nature of this pathogen, further investigation into the epidemiology of this disease is recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colleen G Duncan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Duncan).,Bacterial Special Pathogens (Tiller, Mathis, Stoddard) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,Rickettsial Zoonoses (Kersh) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Lab, Seattle, WA (Dickerson, Gelatt)
| | - Rebekah Tiller
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Duncan).,Bacterial Special Pathogens (Tiller, Mathis, Stoddard) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,Rickettsial Zoonoses (Kersh) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Lab, Seattle, WA (Dickerson, Gelatt)
| | - Demetrius Mathis
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Duncan).,Bacterial Special Pathogens (Tiller, Mathis, Stoddard) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,Rickettsial Zoonoses (Kersh) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Lab, Seattle, WA (Dickerson, Gelatt)
| | - Robyn Stoddard
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Duncan).,Bacterial Special Pathogens (Tiller, Mathis, Stoddard) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,Rickettsial Zoonoses (Kersh) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Lab, Seattle, WA (Dickerson, Gelatt)
| | - Gilbert J Kersh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Duncan).,Bacterial Special Pathogens (Tiller, Mathis, Stoddard) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,Rickettsial Zoonoses (Kersh) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Lab, Seattle, WA (Dickerson, Gelatt)
| | - Bobette Dickerson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Duncan).,Bacterial Special Pathogens (Tiller, Mathis, Stoddard) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,Rickettsial Zoonoses (Kersh) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Lab, Seattle, WA (Dickerson, Gelatt)
| | - Tom Gelatt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Duncan).,Bacterial Special Pathogens (Tiller, Mathis, Stoddard) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,Rickettsial Zoonoses (Kersh) Branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.,National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Lab, Seattle, WA (Dickerson, Gelatt)
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Norman SA, Delaney MA, Haman KH, Thomas AC, Godfroid J, Larsen AK, Nymo IH, Robbe-Austerman S, Quance C, Rhyan JC, Lambourn DM, Jeffries SJ, Rabinowitz P. Application of real-time quantitative PCR assays for detecting marine Brucella spp. in fish. J Vet Diagn Invest 2017; 30:150-154. [PMID: 28985698 DOI: 10.1177/1040638717733024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella ceti and Brucella pinnipedialis have been documented as occurring in marine mammals, and B. ceti has been identified in 3 naturally acquired human cases. Seroconversion and infection patterns in Pacific Northwest harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina richardii) and North Atlantic hooded seals ( Cystophora cristata) indicate post-weaning exposure through prey consumption or lungworm infection, suggesting fish and possibly invertebrates play an epizootiologic role in marine Brucella transmission and possible foodborne risk to humans. We determined if real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays can detect marine Brucella DNA in fish DNA. Insertion sequence (IS) 711 gene and sequence type (ST)27 primer-probe sets were used to detect Brucella associated with marine mammals and human zoonotic infections, respectively. First, DNA extracts from paired-species fish (containing 2 species) samples were tested and determined to be Brucella DNA negative using both IS 711 and ST27 primer-probe sets. A representative paired-species fish DNA sample was spiked with decreasing concentrations of B. pinnipedialis DNA to verify Brucella detection by the IS 711 primer-probe within fish DNA. A standard curve, developed using isolated DNA from B. pinnipedialis, determined the limit of detection. Finally, the IS 711 primer-probe was used to test Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua) DNA extracts experimentally infected with the B. pinnipedialis hooded seal strain. In culture-positive cod tissue, the IS 711 limit of detection was ~1 genome copy of Brucella. Agreement between culture and PCR results for the 9 positive and 9 negative cod tissues was 100%. Although a larger sample set is required for validation, our study shows that qPCR can detect marine Brucella in fish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Norman
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| | - Martha A Delaney
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| | - Katherine H Haman
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| | - Austen C Thomas
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| | - Jacques Godfroid
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| | - Anett K Larsen
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| | - Ingebjørg H Nymo
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| | - Suelee Robbe-Austerman
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| | - Christine Quance
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| | - Jack C Rhyan
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| | - Dyanna M Lambourn
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| | - Steven J Jeffries
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| | - Peter Rabinowitz
- Marine-Med, Bothell, WA (Norman).,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Delaney).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA (Haman).,Smith-Root Inc., Vancouver, WA (Thomas).,Arctic Infection Biology, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (Godfroid, Larsen, Nymo).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA (Robbe-Austerman, Quance).,U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (Rhyan).,Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Investigations, Lakewood, WA (Lambourn, Jeffries).,Center for One Health Research, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA (Rabinowitz)
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Whatmore AM, Dawson C, Muchowski J, Perrett LL, Stubberfield E, Koylass M, Foster G, Davison NJ, Quance C, Sidor IF, Field CL, St. Leger J. Characterisation of North American Brucella isolates from marine mammals. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184758. [PMID: 28934239 PMCID: PMC5608248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Extension of known ecological niches of Brucella has included the description of two novel species from marine mammals. Brucella pinnipedialis is associated predominantly with seals, while two major Brucella ceti clades, most commonly associated with porpoises or dolphins respectively, have been identified. To date there has been limited characterisation of Brucella isolates obtained from marine mammals outside Northern European waters, including North American waters. To address this gap, and extend knowledge of the global population structure and host associations of these Brucella species, 61 isolates from marine mammals inhabiting North American waters were subject to molecular and phenotypic characterisation enabling comparison with existing European isolates. The majority of isolates represent genotypes previously described in Europe although novel genotypes were identified in both B. ceti clades. Harp seals were found to carry B. pinnipedialis genotypes previously confined to hooded seals among a diverse repertoire of sequence types (STs) associated with this species. For the first time Brucella isolates were characterised from beluga whales and found to represent a number of distinct B. pinnipedialis genotypes. In addition the known host range of ST27 was extended with the identification of this ST from California sea lion samples. Finally the performance of the frequently used diagnostic tool Bruce-ladder, in differentiating B. ceti and B. pinnipedialis, was critically assessed based on improved knowledge of the global population structure of Brucella associated with marine mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian M. Whatmore
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Claire Dawson
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Jakub Muchowski
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Lorraine L. Perrett
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Stubberfield
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Koylass
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Geoffrey Foster
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Christine Quance
- Mycobacteria and Brucella Section, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA-APHIS, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Inga F. Sidor
- Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, Mystic, CT, United States of America
| | - Cara L. Field
- Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, Mystic, CT, United States of America
| | - Judy St. Leger
- SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kershaw JL, Stubberfield EJ, Foster G, Brownlow A, Hall AJ, Perrett LL. Exposure of harbour seals Phoca vitulina to Brucella in declining populations across Scotland. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2017; 126:13-23. [PMID: 28930081 DOI: 10.3354/dao03163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Since 2000 there has been a major decline in the abundance of Scottish harbour seals Phoca vitulina. The causes of the decline remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to establish the extent to which the seals in the regions of greatest decline have been exposed to Brucella, a bacterial pathogen that causes reproductive failure in terrestrial mammalian hosts. Tissues from dead seals collected between 1992 and 2013 were cultured for Brucella (n = 150). Serum samples collected from live capture-released seals (n = 343) between 1997 and 2012 were tested for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal plate agglutination test (RBT) and a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). In total, 16% of seals cultured had Brucella isolated from one or more tissues, but there were no pathological signs of infection. The cELISA results were more sensitive than the RBT results, showing that overall 25.4% of seals were seropositive, with the highest seroprevalence in juveniles. As there was no evidence of either a higher seroprevalence or higher circulating antibody levels in seropositive animals in the areas with the greatest declines, it was concluded that Brucella infection is likely not a major contributing factor to recent declines. However, the consistently high proportion of seals exposed to Brucella indicates possible endemicity in these populations, likely due to B. pinnipedialis, which has demonstrated a preference for pinniped hosts. Importantly, given the close proximity between seals, humans and livestock in many areas, there is the potential for cross-species infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna L Kershaw
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Hoover-Miller A, Dunn JL, Field CL, Blundell G, Atkinson S. Seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies in harbor seals in Alaska, USA, with age, regional, and reproductive comparisons. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2017; 126:1-12. [PMID: 28930080 DOI: 10.3354/dao03153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Populations of harbor seal Phoca vitulina in the Gulf of Alaska have dramatically declined during the past 4 decades. Numbers of seals in Glacier Bay, in southeast Alaska, USA, have also declined despite extensive protection. Causes of the declines and slow recovery are poorly understood. Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that adversely affects reproduction in many domestic species. We measured the seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies in 554 harbor seals in 3 Alaska locations: Prince William Sound (PWS), Glacier Bay (GB), and Tracy Arm Fords Terror (TAFT) Wilderness Area. Objectives included testing for regional, sex, age, and female reproductive state differences in Brucella antibody seroprevalence, persistence in titers in recaptured seals, and differences in titers between mother seals and their pups. Overall, 52% of adults (AD), 53% of subadults (SA), 77% of yearlings (YRL), and 26% of <5 mo old pups were seropositive. Matched mother-pup samples were consistent with dependent pups acquiring maternal passive immunity to Brucella. Results show higher seroprevalence (64%) for AD and SA seals in the depressed and declining populations in PWS and GB than in TAFT (29%). Lactating females were less likely to be seropositive than other AD females, including pregnant females. Further research is needed to seek evidence of Brucella infection in Alaskan harbor seals, identify effects on neonatal viability, and assess zoonotic implications for Alaska Natives who rely on harbor seals for food.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Hoover-Miller
- Alaska SeaLife Center, 301 Railway Ave, PO Box 1329, Seward, AK 99664, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Sánchez-Sarmiento AM, Carvalho VL, Sacristán C, Groch KR, Ressio RA, Fernandes NCCA, Guerra JM, Costa-Silva S, Díaz-Delgado J, Favero CM, Silva NS, Ferreira Neto JS, Meirelles ACO, Catão-Dias JL. Brucellosis in a Clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene) stranded in Brazil. Transbound Emerg Dis 2017; 65:289-291. [PMID: 28816014 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A M Sánchez-Sarmiento
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - V L Carvalho
- Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos-AQUASIS, Caucaia, Ceará, Brazil
| | - C Sacristán
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - K R Groch
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R A Ressio
- Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - J M Guerra
- Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - S Costa-Silva
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J Díaz-Delgado
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C M Favero
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - N S Silva
- Laboratório de Zoonoses Bacterianas, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J S Ferreira Neto
- Laboratório de Zoonoses Bacterianas, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A C O Meirelles
- Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos-AQUASIS, Caucaia, Ceará, Brazil
| | - J L Catão-Dias
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Isolation of Brucella pinnipedialis from Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the Baltic Sea. J Wildl Dis 2017; 53:850-853. [PMID: 28715291 DOI: 10.7589/2016-06-144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Brucella infection in seals was reported for the first time in 1994 around the coast of Scotland. Since then, marine mammal Brucella infections were found to be widely distributed in the northern hemisphere. Two Brucella species affect marine mammals: Brucella pinnipedialis in pinnipeds and Brucella ceti in cetaceans. We examined the livers of Baltic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) from the Finnish coast (n=122) hunted, found dead, or killed as by-catch in fishing gear in 2013-15 as part of population health monitoring. We detected B. pinnipedialis in the livers of three grey seals. The bacterium was isolated from livers displaying parasitic cholangitis. We also detected Brucella DNA in liver flukes (Pseudamphistomum truncatum) obtained from a Brucella-infected grey seal, suggesting that flukes might be possible vectors of this pathogen in the marine environment.
Collapse
|
42
|
Abe E, Ohishi K, Ishinazaka T, Fujii K, Maruyama T. Serologic evidence ofBrucellainfection in pinnipeds along the coast of Hokkaido, the northernmost main island of Japan. Microbiol Immunol 2017; 61:114-122. [DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Abe
- Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology; 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka Kanagawa 237-0061
- Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology; 4-5-7 Kounan, Minato-ku Tokyo 108-8477
| | - Kazue Ohishi
- Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology; 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka Kanagawa 237-0061
| | | | - Kei Fujii
- Pinniped Research Group; 1-69-9, Nakayoshino Tokushima, 770-0804 Japan
| | - Tadashi Maruyama
- Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology; 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka Kanagawa 237-0061
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL MARINE BRUCELLA FROM A SOUTHERN SEA OTTER (ENHYDRA LUTRIS NEREIS), CALIFORNIA, USA. J Wildl Dis 2017; 53:215-227. [PMID: 28151078 DOI: 10.7589/2015-12-326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We characterize Brucella infection in a wild southern sea otter ( Enhydra lutris nereis) with osteolytic lesions similar to those reported in other marine mammals and humans. This otter stranded twice along the central California coast, US over a 1-yr period and was handled extensively at two wildlife rehabilitation facilities, undergoing multiple surgeries and months of postsurgical care. Ultimately the otter was euthanized due to severe, progressive neurologic disease. Necropsy and postmortem radiographs revealed chronic, severe osteoarthritis spanning the proximal interphalangeal joint of the left hind fifth digit. Numerous coccobacilli within the joint were strongly positive on Brucella immunohistochemical labelling, and Brucella sp. was isolated in pure culture from this lesion. Sparse Brucella-immunopositive bacteria were also observed in the cytoplasm of a pulmonary vascular monocyte, and multifocal granulomas were observed in the spinal cord and liver on histopathology. Findings from biochemical characterization, 16S ribosomal DNA, and bp26 gene sequencing of the bacterial isolate were identical to those from marine-origin brucellae isolated from cetaceans and phocids. Although omp2a gene sequencing revealed 100% homology with marine Brucella spp. infecting pinnipeds, whales, and humans, omp2b gene sequences were identical only to pinniped-origin isolates. Multilocus sequence typing classified the sea otter isolate as ST26, a sequence type previously associated only with cetaceans. Our data suggest that the sea otter Brucella strain represents a novel marine lineage that is distinct from both Brucella pinnipedialis and Brucella ceti. Prior reports document the zoonotic potential of the marine brucellae. Isolation of Brucella sp. from a stranded sea otter highlights the importance of wearing personal protective equipment when handling sea otters and other marine mammals as part of wildlife conservation and rehabilitation efforts.
Collapse
|
44
|
Bai Y, Urushadze L, Osikowicz L, McKee C, Kuzmin I, Kandaurov A, Babuadze G, Natradze I, Imnadze P, Kosoy M. Molecular Survey of Bacterial Zoonotic Agents in Bats from the Country of Georgia (Caucasus). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171175. [PMID: 28129398 PMCID: PMC5271587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are important reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens. However, no surveys of bacterial pathogens in bats have been performed in the Caucasus region. To understand the occurrence and distribution of bacterial infections in these mammals, 218 bats belonging to eight species collected from four regions of Georgia were examined for Bartonella, Brucella, Leptospira, and Yersinia using molecular approaches. Bartonella DNA was detected in 77 (35%) bats from all eight species and was distributed in all four regions. The prevalence ranged 6–50% per bat species. The Bartonella DNA represented 25 unique genetic variants that clustered into 21 lineages. Brucella DNA was detected in two Miniopterus schreibersii bats and in two Myotis blythii bats, all of which were from Imereti (west-central region). Leptospira DNA was detected in 25 (13%) bats that included four M. schreibersii bats and 21 M. blythii bats collected from two regions. The Leptospira sequences represented five genetic variants with one of them being closely related to the zoonotic pathogen L. interrogans (98.6% genetic identity). No Yersinia DNA was detected in the bats. Mixed infections were observed in several cases. One M. blythii bat and one M. schreibersii bat were co-infected with Bartonella, Brucella, and Leptospira; one M. blythii bat and one M. schreibersii bat were co-infected with Bartonella and Brucella; 15 M. blythii bats and three M. schreibersii bats were co-infected with Bartonella and Leptospira. Our results suggest that bats in Georgia are exposed to multiple bacterial infections. Further studies are needed to evaluate pathogenicity of these agents to bats and their zoonotic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Bai
- Division of Vector-Borne Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Lela Urushadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
| | - Lynn Osikowicz
- Division of Vector-Borne Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Clifton McKee
- Division of Vector-Borne Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Ivan Kuzmin
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Andrei Kandaurov
- Institute of Zoology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
| | - Giorgi Babuadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
| | - Ioseb Natradze
- Institute of Zoology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
| | - Paata Imnadze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
| | - Michael Kosoy
- Division of Vector-Borne Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Wu Q, Conway J, Phillips KM, Stolen M, Durden WN, Fauquier D, McFee WE, Schwacke L. Detection of Brucella spp. in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus by a real-time PCR using blowhole swabs. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2016; 120:241-244. [PMID: 27503920 DOI: 10.3354/dao03034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Blowhole swabs are a simple and non-invasive method for collecting samples from cetaceans and can be used for screening large numbers of animals in the field. This study reports a real-time PCR assay for the detection of Brucella spp. using blowhole swab samples from bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus stranded in the coastal region of Virginia, South Carolina and northern Florida, USA, between 2013 and 2015. We used real-time PCR results on lung samples from the same dolphins in order to estimate the relative sensitivity and specificity of real-time PCR of blowhole swabs. Brucella DNA was detected in lung tissue of 22% (18/81) and in blowhole swabs of 21% (17/81) of the sampled dolphins. The relative sensitivity and specificity of real-time PCR on blowhole swabs as compared to the real-time PCR on lung samples was 94% (17/18) and 100% (63/63), respectively. These results indicate that real-time PCR on blowhole swabs may be used as a non-invasive test for rapid detection of Brucella spp. in the respiratory tract of dolphins. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of blowhole swabs for detection of bacterial pathogens by real-time PCR in bottlenose dolphins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhong Wu
- Hollings Marine Laboratory, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 331, Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, South Carolina 29412, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Ohishi K, Bando T, Abe E, Kawai Y, Fujise Y, Maruyama T. Long-term and large-scale epidemiology of Brucella infection in baleen whales and sperm whales in the western North Pacific and Antarctic Oceans. J Vet Med Sci 2016; 78:1457-1464. [PMID: 27320816 PMCID: PMC5059373 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In a long-term, large-scale serologic study in the western North Pacific Ocean, anti-Brucella antibodies were detected in common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the 1994-2010 offshore surveys (21%, 285/1353) and in the 2006-2010 Japanese coastal surveys (20%, 86/436), in Bryde's whales (B. edeni brydei) in the 2000-2010 offshore surveys (9%, 49/542), in sei whales (B. borealis) in the 2002-2010 offshore surveys (5%, 40/788) and in sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the 2000-2010 offshore surveys (8%, 4/50). Anti-Brucella antibodies were not detected in 739 Antarctic minke whales (B. bonaerensis) in the 2000-2010 Antarctic surveys. This suggests that Brucella was present in the four large whale populations inhabiting the western North Pacific, but not in the Antarctic minke whale population. By PCR targeting for genes of outer membrane protein 2, the Brucella infection was confirmed in tissue DNA samples from Bryde's whales (14%, 2/14), sei whales (11%, 1/9) and sperm whales (50%, 2/4). A placental tissue and an apparently healthy fetus from a sperm whale were found to be PCR-positive, indicating that placental transmission might have occurred and the newborn could act as a bacterial reservoir. Marked granulomatous testes were observed only in mature animals of the three species of baleen whales in the western North Pacific offshore surveys, especially in common minke whales, and 29% (307/1064) of total mature males had abnormal testes. This study provides an insight into the status of marine Brucella infection at a global level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazue Ohishi
- Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 237-0061 Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Marine Mammal Brucella Reference Strains Are Attenuated in a BALB/c Mouse Model. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150432. [PMID: 26959235 PMCID: PMC4784796 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution with numerous animal host species. Since the novel isolation of Brucella spp. from marine mammals in 1994 the bacteria have been isolated from various marine mammal hosts. The marine mammal reference strains Brucella pinnipedialis 12890 (harbour seal, Phoca vitulina) and Brucella ceti 12891 (harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena) were included in genus Brucella in 2007, however, their pathogenicity in the mouse model is pending. Herein this is evaluated in BALB/c mice with Brucella suis 1330 as a control. Both marine mammal strains were attenuated, however, B. ceti was present at higher levels than B. pinnipedialis in blood, spleen and liver throughout the infection, in addition B. suis and B. ceti were isolated from brains and faeces at times with high levels of bacteraemia. In B. suis-infected mice serum cytokines peaked at day 7. In B. pinnipedialis-infected mice, levels were similar, but peaked predominantly at day 3 and an earlier peak in spleen weight likewise implied an earlier response. The inflammatory response induced pathology in the spleen and liver. In B. ceti-infected mice, most serum cytokine levels were comparable to those in uninfected mice, consistent with a limited inflammatory response, which also was indicated by restricted spleen and liver pathology. Specific immune responses against all three strains were detected in vitro after stimulation of splenocytes from infected mice with the homologous heat-killed brucellae. Antibody responses in vivo were also induced by the three brucellae. The immunological pattern of B. ceti in combination with persistence in organs and limited pathology has heretofore not been described for other brucellae. These two marine mammal wildtype strains show an attenuated pattern in BALB/c mice only previously described for Brucella neotomea.
Collapse
|
48
|
Coinfection and vertical transmission of Brucella and Morbillivirus in a neonatal sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Hawaii, USA. J Wildl Dis 2015; 51:227-32. [PMID: 25390763 DOI: 10.7589/2014-04-092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The viral genus Morbillivirus and the bacterial genus Brucella have emerged as important groups of pathogens that are known to affect cetacean health on a global scale, but neither pathogen has previously been reported from endangered sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). A female neonate sperm whale stranded alive and died near Laie on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, US, in May of 2011. Congestion of the cerebrum and enlarged lymph nodes were noted on the gross necropsy. Microscopic findings included lymphoid depletion, chronic meningitis, and pneumonia, suggesting an in utero infection. Cerebrum, lung, umbilicus, and select lymph nodes (tracheobronchial and mediastinal) were positive for Brucella by PCR. Brucella sp. was also cultured from the cerebrum and from mediastinal and tracheobronchial lymph nodes. Twelve different tissues were screened for Morbillivirus by reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR and select tissues by immunohistochemistry, but only the tracheobronchial lymph node and spleen were positive by RT-PCR. Pathologic findings observed were likely a result of Brucella, but Morbillivirus may have played a key role in immune suppression of the mother and calf. The in utero infection in this individual strongly supports vertical transmission of both pathogens.
Collapse
|
49
|
SURVEY FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN THE SOUTH AMERICAN FUR SEAL (ARCTOCEPHALUS AUSTRALIS) POPULATION AT PUNTA SAN JUAN, PERU. J Zoo Wildl Med 2015; 46:246-54. [PMID: 26056875 DOI: 10.1638/2014-0120.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Peruvian population of the South American fur seal ( Arctocephalus australis ) is a distinct evolutionarily significant unit that is endangered. One of the largest rookeries for this species in Peru is located within the Punta San Juan marine protected area (15°22'S, 75°12'W). To better understand the current health status of this population, exposure to 10 pinniped pathogens was evaluated in adult female fur seals (n=29) via serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques in November 2010. The results suggest this population is naïve to canine and phocine distemper viruses (serum neutralization test), five Leptospira interrogans serovars (microscopic agglutination test), and Brucella canis (card test). Indirect fluorescent antibody testing for Toxoplasma gondii , Neospora caninum , and Sarcocystis neurona was also uniformly negative. PCR testing of nasal swabs using previously described Mycoplasma spp. primers was positive in 37.9% (11/29) of samples. One animal was positive via card test for Brucella abortus , whereas 53.7% (15/28) were positive or suspect using a marine Brucella competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibody to phocine herpesvirus-1 (PHV-1) was identified in 85.7% (24/28) of the sampled population by serum neutralization testing. Overall, exposure to Mycoplasma spp., Brucella spp., and PHV-1 was observed, but results demonstrated low to no exposure to many key pinniped pathogens. The expansion of human populations, agriculture, and industry along the Peruvian coast may lead to increased pathogen exposure from human, domestic, and wild animal sources. The naïve nature of this key population of South American fur seals raises concerns about potential risk for disease outbreaks.
Collapse
|
50
|
Isolation of Brucella ceti from a Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas) and a Sowerby's Beaked Whale (Mesoploden bidens). J Wildl Dis 2015; 51:868-71. [PMID: 26285099 DOI: 10.7589/2014-04-112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Brucella ceti is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that has been recovered from several species of cetaceans in the world's oceans over the past 20 yr. We report the recovery of B. ceti from a Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoploden bidens) and a long-finned pilot whale (Globicehala melas). Recovery from the testis of a long-finned pilot whale provides further evidence of potential for B. ceti infection to impact the reproductive success of cetaceans, many of which are threatened species. The addition of another two cetacean species to the growing number from which B. ceti has been recovered also further emphasizes the concern for human infections with this organism.
Collapse
|