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Yuen AHL, Kim SW, Lee K, Lee YM, Lee SB, Kim MJ, Poon CTC, Jung WJ, Jo SJ, Hwang MH, Park JH, Park D, Giri SS, Seok SH, Park SC. First report of kyphoscoliosis in the narrow-ridged finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis): Findings from congenital and degenerative cases comparison using post-mortem computed tomography. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e31386. [PMID: 38456337 PMCID: PMC10921363 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1386] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spinal deformities, including kyphoscoliosis, have been consistently documented in cetaceans. However, the majority of reported cases of kyphoscoliosis in cetaceans pertain to bottlenose dolphins, with limited information on its occurrence in narrow-ridged finless porpoise (NFP) (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis). MATERIALS AND METHODS In November 2021, two deceased NFPs were discovered stranded on the shores of the Republic of Korea. As part of the pioneer stranded cetacean imaging programme in the Republic of Korea, both carcasses underwent post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT), revealing congenital and degenerative traumatic kyphoscoliosis, respectively. RESULTS Although kyphoscoliosis may not have directly caused the demise of these individuals, it is hypothesized that the reduced spinal range of motion and mobility associated with kyphoscoliosis may have contributed to their deaths. CONCLUSION This case report presents the first documented cases of kyphoscoliosis in two NFPs stranded in Korean waters, utilizing PMCT as an efficient methodology for assessing skeletal abnormalities in cetaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adams Hei Long Yuen
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary ScienceSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Radiotherapy and Oncology CentreGleneagles Hospital Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Sang Wha Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunologyand Institute of Endemic DiseaseCollege of MedicineSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary ScienceKangwon National UniversityChuncheonGangwonRepublic of Korea
| | - Kyunglee Lee
- Cetacean Research InstituteNational Institute of Fisheries ScienceUlsanRepublic of Korea
| | - Young Min Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary ScienceSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Cetacean Research InstituteNational Institute of Fisheries ScienceUlsanRepublic of Korea
| | - Sung Bin Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary ScienceSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Min Ju Kim
- Cetacean Research InstituteNational Institute of Fisheries ScienceUlsanRepublic of Korea
| | | | - Won Joon Jung
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary ScienceSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Su Jin Jo
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary ScienceSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Mae Hyun Hwang
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary ScienceSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Jae Hong Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary ScienceSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Dasol Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary ScienceSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Sib Sankar Giri
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary ScienceSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyeok Seok
- Department of Microbiology and Immunologyand Institute of Endemic DiseaseCollege of MedicineSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical SciencesSeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Cancer Research InstituteSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Se Chang Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary ScienceSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
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Balseiro A, Herrero-García G, Royo LJ, Armenteros JÁ, Altonaga JR, Monasterio JM, Balsera R, Pool RV, García Marín JF, Pis-Millán JA. Hypertrophic osteopathy in a common dolphin ( Delphinus delphis) with concurrent pulmonary Halocercus delphini infestation. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17011. [PMID: 37484216 PMCID: PMC10361101 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17011] [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] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Dolphins are marine mammals that often live in coastal habitats. Common causes of severe skeletal disorders among wild dolphins are congenital vertebral anomalities, collisions with sea vessels, trauma, hunting-related injury, infectious diseases, environmental pollution, and tumors. A free-ranging male, 3-year-old common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) was found dead in the coast of Asturias in northern Spain. Postmortem examination revealed lordosis in the caudal vertebral column, while X-ray imaging and computer tomography showed well-organized palisade-like periosteal proliferation, appearing as florid-like accretions, along the spinous apophysis of 26 lumbar-caudal vertebrae. The transverse apophysis was affected on only a few caudal vertebrae. The cortical layer remained intact. Histology of vertebra tissue showed periosteal proliferation of cancellous bone. The animal was diagnosed with hypertrophic osteopathy. The lungs showed diffuse parasitic granulomatous bronchointerstitial pneumonia caused by Halocercus delphini, consolidation of the pulmonary tissue, congestion, and alveolar edema. The animal was also afflicted by parasitic granulomatous gastritis caused by Anisakis simplex sensu lato and tattoo skin disease. The dolphin suffered from hypertrophic osteopathy associated with pulmonary Halocercus delphini infestation. This syndrome, known as hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy, has been described in diverse terrestrial mammals, including domestic animals, wildlife and humans, but not in dolphins. This case reports the first description of hypertrophic osteopathy associated to a pulmonary disorder in dolphin, and it provides insights into factors that can induce column malformation in dolphins, suggesting the importance of taking thoracic lesions into account during differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Gloria Herrero-García
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Luis J. Royo
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario del Principado de Asturias (SERIDA), 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Genética, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - José Ángel Armenteros
- Dirección General de Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - José R. Altonaga
- Hospital Veterinario de León, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Juana M. Monasterio
- Dirección General de Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Ramón Balsera
- Dirección General de Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Rachel V. Pool
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Parc Cientific, Universitat de Valencia, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | | | - José Antonio Pis-Millán
- Centro de Experimentación Pesquera, Dirección General de Pesca Marítima del Principado de Asturias, 33212 Gijón, Spain
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Prevalence and spatio-temporal variation of epidermal conditions, deformities and injuries in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Welsh waters. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00300-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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de Reuver S, IJsseldijk LL, Homans JF, Willems DS, Veraa S, van Stralen M, Kik MJL, Kruyt MC, Gröne A, Castelein RM. What a stranded whale with scoliosis can teach us about human idiopathic scoliosis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7218. [PMID: 33785866 PMCID: PMC8009909 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86709-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Scoliosis is a deformation of the spine that may have several known causes, but humans are the only mammal known to develop scoliosis without any obvious underlying cause. This is called 'idiopathic' scoliosis and is the most common type. Recent observations showed that human scoliosis, regardless of its cause, has a relatively uniform three-dimensional anatomy. We hypothesize that scoliosis is a universal compensatory mechanism of the spine, independent of cause and/or species. We had the opportunity to study the rare occurrence of scoliosis in a whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) that stranded in July 2019 in the Netherlands. A multidisciplinary team of biologists, pathologists, veterinarians, taxidermists, radiologists and orthopaedic surgeons conducted necropsy and imaging analysis. Blunt traumatic injury to two vertebrae caused an acute lateral deviation of the spine, which had initiated the development of compensatory curves in regions of the spine without anatomical abnormalities. Three-dimensional analysis of these compensatory curves showed strong resemblance with different types of human scoliosis, amongst which idiopathic. This suggests that any decompensation of spinal equilibrium can lead to a rather uniform response. The unique biomechanics of the upright human spine, with significantly decreased rotational stability, may explain why only in humans this mechanism can be induced relatively easily, without an obvious cause, and is therefore still called 'idiopathic'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven de Reuver
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lonneke L IJsseldijk
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jelle F Homans
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorien S Willems
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Veraa
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marijn van Stralen
- Imaging Division, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marja J L Kik
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Moyo C Kruyt
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Gröne
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - René M Castelein
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Robinson KP, Haskins GN, Eisfeld-Pierantonio SM, Sidiropoulos T, Bamford CCG. Presenting vertebral deformities in bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus calves from a protected population in northeast Scotland. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2020; 140:103-108. [PMID: 32701066 DOI: 10.3354/dao03498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Photographs collected during a 23 yr photo-identification study in the Moray Firth were examined to assess the prevalence, type and severity of vertebral deformations present in bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus calves. Fifteen cases of presenting spinal anomalies (scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis and combinations thereof) of variable severity were identified in 7.4% of all known calves from the population. Thirteen of the 15 anomalies were either manifest from birth or acquired from an early age, as ascertained from longitudinal sightings histories of their mothers. Most afflicted calves died during early development or shortly after maternal separation. However, 3 survived to adulthood and persist in the population to date, in addition to 2 dependent infants whose fate remains to be established. At 15+ yr of age, the oldest surviving individual was remarkably one of the most severe cases identified, highlighting the ability of these delphinids for adaptation to such gross structural deformities. The aetiology of the observed conditions could be attributed to a range of causative factors that may have implications for the well-being and health of this North Sea coastal dolphin population, a topic which merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P Robinson
- Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit (CRRU), PO Box 11307, Banff, AB45 3WB, UK
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Tomo I, Kemper CM, Sciutteri V. Pathology of the skeleton of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus: a comparison of adjacent gulfs in South Australia. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2018; 131:95-105. [PMID: 30460916 DOI: 10.3354/dao03297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Studies of skeletal pathology of marine mammals can contribute to conservation measures, yet few have focused on causative factors. Museums hold vast collections of skeletons relevant to this knowledge gap. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin Tursiops aduncus carcasses (n = 162) were collected from Gulf St Vincent (GSV) and Spencer Gulf (SG), South Australia (SA), between 1988 and 2013, and post-mortem examinations were carried out. After preparing skeletons, their gross pathology was classified into 4 categories: lytic lesions, degenerative lesions, fractures and malformations. Comparisons were made between gulfs based on pathology type, relative age, period of collection and cause of death (anthropogenic vs. non-anthropogenic). Pathology prevalence (76%) was higher than reported in other studies but observed pathologies were similar. More than one pathology was observed in 88% of dolphins that had pathology. Vertebrae were often the site of pathology. Prevalence of lesions were: fractures (82%), lytic lesions (75%) including spondylo-osteomyelitis and osteomyelitis, degenerative lesions (57%) including spondylosis deformans, and malformations (17%). Prevalence of pathology increased with dolphin relative age, and GSV dolphins had more pathology than those in SG. In SG, anthropogenic cases had more pathology than non-anthropogenic cases, and dolphins collected after 2000 had more degenerative lesions than those collected before 2000. There were more malformations in SG dolphins than those from GSV, although this was not statistically significant. In one anomalous case, an individual was found with 5 detached transverse processes on 4 lumbar vertebrae. Heavy metal toxicity reported for T. aduncus from SG may be related to the malformations reported in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikuko Tomo
- South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
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Wang JY, Riehl KN, Yang SC, Araújo-Wang C. Unsustainable human-induced injuries to the Critically Endangered Taiwanese humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis taiwanensis). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 116:167-174. [PMID: 28065551 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.12.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Critically Endangered Taiwanese humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis taiwanensis) is endemic to inshore and estuarine waters of central western Taiwan. It numbers fewer than 75 individuals, is declining and faces a myriad of human threats. Data from a long-term photo-identification program on these dolphins allowed major injuries to be examined quantitatively. A large proportion (57.7%) of individuals had suffered major human-induced injuries that likely compromised their health, survivorship or reproductive potential and thus, the future of this subspecies. Considering major injuries as "takes", the injury rate (1.13 dolphins/year) for the population was 8-8.5 times higher than its Potential Biological Removal rate. Observations of new injuries and fishing gear entanglements on several dolphins showed that fisheries continue to be the predominant cause of these major injuries. Unless immediate action is taken to reduce harmful fisheries, extinction is imminent for Taiwan's only endemic dolphin.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Y Wang
- CetAsia Research Group, 310-7250 Yonge St., Thornhill, Ontario L4J-7X1, Canada; Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J-7B8, Canada; National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, 2 Houwan Road, Checheng, Pingtung County, 944, Taiwan.
| | - Kimberly N Riehl
- CetAsia Research Group, 310-7250 Yonge St., Thornhill, Ontario L4J-7X1, Canada.
| | - Shih Chu Yang
- FormosaCetus Company Limited, 5F-5, #78, Chung-Mei 13 Street, Hualien City, 970, Taiwan.
| | - Claryana Araújo-Wang
- CetAsia Research Group, 310-7250 Yonge St., Thornhill, Ontario L4J-7X1, Canada; Botos do Cerrado - Pesquisas Ambientais, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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