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Sacristán C, Ewbank AC, Sánchez-Sarmiento AM, Duarte-Benvenuto A, Borges JCG, Rebelo VA, Díaz-Delgado J, Borges Keid L, Catão-Dias JL. Erysipelas in a stranded common bottlenose dolphin: first report in a South American odontocete. Braz J Microbiol 2022; 53:2199-2203. [PMID: 35962226 PMCID: PMC9679089 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00810-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Erysipelas is a zoonotic disease caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. In cetaceans, this disease has two main clinical forms: a cutaneous one, grossly characterized by rhomboid lesions, and a septicemic and often fatal form. Erysipelas is considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality in captive cetaceans; however, information in free-ranging cetaceans is limited. An adult common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was found dead and in advanced autolysis in Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil, on July 19th, 2020. Upon gross examination, 80% of the body surface presented disseminated rhomboid cutaneous lesions ranging from 4 to 6 cm-width, characterized by well-defined edges and occasional ulceration, consistent with erysipelas. Additionally, anthropic-made postmortem linear cuts and partial mechanical removal of the flank musculature were noted. Skin samples were collected for histopathologic and molecular analyses. Microscopically, it was possible to observe multifocal dermatitis with vasculitis. Erysipelothrix sp. was detected by PCR. Despite previous reports of human consumption of cetacean meat in northeastern Brazil, the observed marks and advanced carcass autolysis suggested that the animal was most likely used as bait for fishing instead of human intake. This case highlights the value of postmortem examination and PCR even in poorly preserved cadavers and contributes to the understanding of the epidemiology of cutaneous erysipelas in free-ranging cetaceans (first report in an odontocete from the Southern Hemisphere). Due to the zoonotic potential of certain Erysipelothrix species (i.e., E. rhusiopathiae), active public health policies are required to inform field professionals and the general public about the health threats associated with marine mammal manipulation and consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Sacristán
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), CSIC, 28130, Valdeolmos, Spain.
| | - Ana Carolina Ewbank
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angélica María Sánchez-Sarmiento
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, 13635-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aricia Duarte-Benvenuto
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Carlos Gomes Borges
- Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, 49.100-000, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of Paraíba, Rio Tinto, Paraíba, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Araújo Rebelo
- Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, 49.100-000, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Environmental Monitoring, Federal University of Paraíba, Rio Tinto, Paraíba, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Josué Díaz-Delgado
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Lara Borges Keid
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, 13635-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Catão-Dias
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil
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Ceccolini ME, Wessels M, Macgregor SK, Deaville R, Perkins M, Jepson PD, John SK, Guthrie A. Systemic Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in seven free-ranging delphinids stranded in England and Wales. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2021; 145:173-184. [PMID: 34263732 DOI: 10.3354/dao03609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microbiology records for 1127 cetaceans stranded on English and Welsh beaches and examined at the Institute of Zoology between 1990 and 2019 were reviewed to identify cases of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, an uncommon but potentially fatal zoonotic pathogen. Once cases were identified, prevalence was calculated, corresponding postmortem reports were reviewed, common gross and histopathological findings were identified, and antibiotic susceptibilities were determined. Overall prevalence for E. rhusiopathiae was 0.62% (7/1127; 95% CI: 0.30-1.28%). It was isolated from 3 bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, 3 harbor porpoises Phocoena phocoena, and 1 short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis, with a prevalence of 21.4% (3/14; 95% CI: 7.6-47.9%), 0.39% (3/779; 95% CI: 0.13-1.13%), and 0.47% (1/212; 95% CI: 0.08-2.62%) for each species, respectively. E. rhusiopathiae resulted in septicemia in all cases from which it was isolated. Gross necropsy findings included pulmonary edema (5/7), hemorrhage (5/7) and/or congestion of various organs (4/7), and serosanguineous effusion (3/7; pericardial: 3/7, pleural: 2/6, abdominal: 2/6). Congestion (5/5), bacterial emboli (4/5), and hemorrhage (4/5) were commonly observed on histopathology, and acute renal tubular injury (2/5) and pulmonary edema (2/5) were occasionally observed. Routine bacterial cultures were vital in identifying E. rhusiopathiae, since gross lesions were often subtle and nonspecific. The liver, kidney, and brain were key organs from which E. rhusiopathiae was consistently isolated. Antibiotic resistance was uncommon and was only observed for amikacin and trimethoprim sulfonamide. Penicillins were consistently effective, along with fluoroquinolones, macrolides, clindamycin, cephalexin, and oxytetracycline.
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Nollens HH, Giménez-Lirola LG, Robeck TR, Schmitt TL, DiRocco S, Opriessnig T. Evaluation of anti-Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae IgG response in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus to a commercial pig vaccine. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2016; 121:249-256. [PMID: 27786163 DOI: 10.3354/dao03061] [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: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is the causative agent of erysipeloid in humans and of erysipelas in various animals, including bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, in which an infection has the potential to cause peracute septicemia and death. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using an off-label porcine (ER BAC PLUS®, Zoetis) E. rhusiopathiae bactrin in a bottlenose dolphin vaccination program by determining the anti-E. rhusiopathiae antibody levels in vaccinated dolphins over a 10 yr period. Serum samples (n = 88) were analyzed using a modified fluorescent microbead immunoassay from 54 dolphins, including 3 individuals with no history of vaccination and 51 dolphins with an average of 5 vaccinations, 3 of which had previously recovered from a natural E. rhusiopathiae infection. A mean 311-fold increase in the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody index was measured in a subsample of 10 dolphins 14 d after the first booster vaccination. Serum IgG antibody titers were influenced by number of vaccines received (r2 = 0.47, p < 0.05) but not by age, gender, history of natural infection, adverse vaccine reaction, vaccination interval or time since last vaccination. The commercial pig bacterin was deemed effective in generating humoral immunity against E. rhusiopathiae in dolphins. However, since the probability of an adverse reaction toward the vaccine was moderately correlated (p = 0.07, r2 = 0.1) with number of vaccines administered, more research is needed to determine the optimal vaccination interval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik H Nollens
- Veterinary Services Department, SeaWorld of San Diego, 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
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