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Bradley EA, Lockaby G. Leptospirosis and the Environment: A Review and Future Directions. Pathogens 2023; 12:1167. [PMID: 37764975 PMCID: PMC10538202 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance with significant morbidity and mortality. However, the disease is frequently overlooked and underdiagnosed, leading to uncertainty of the true scale and severity of the disease. A neglected tropical disease, leptospirosis disproportionately impacts disadvantaged socioeconomic communities most vulnerable to outbreaks of zoonotic disease, due to contact with infectious animals and contaminated soils and waters. With growing evidence that Leptospira survives, persists, and reproduces in the environment, this paper reviews the current understanding of the pathogen in the environment and highlights the unknowns that are most important for future study. Through a systematic Boolean review of the literature, our study finds that detailed field-based study of Leptospira prevalence, survival, and transmission in natural waters and soils is lacking from the current literature. This review identified a strong need for assessment of physical characteristics and biogeochemical processes that support long-term viability of Leptospira in the environment followed by epidemiological assessment of the transmission and movement of the same strains of Leptospira in the present wildlife and livestock as the first steps in improving our understanding of the environmental stage of the leptospirosis transmission cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Bradley
- College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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2
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Glaeser SP, Silva LMR, Prieto R, Silva MA, Franco A, Kämpfer P, Hermosilla C, Taubert A, Eisenberg T. A Preliminary Comparison on Faecal Microbiomes of Free-Ranging Large Baleen (Balaenoptera musculus, B. physalus, B. borealis) and Toothed (Physeter macrocephalus) Whales. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022; 83:18-33. [PMID: 33745062 PMCID: PMC8881428 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01729-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Large baleen and toothed whales play crucial ecological roles in oceans; nonetheless, very little is known about their intestinal microbiomes. Based on striking differences in natural history and thus in feeding behaviours, it can be expected that intestinal microbiomes of large baleen whales and toothed whales are different. To test this hypothesis, the phylogenetic composition of faecal microbiomes was investigated by a 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence-based approach for Bacteria and Archaea. Faecal samples from free-ranging large whales collected off the Azores Archipelago (Portugal) were used, comprising 13 individual baleen whales (one sei, two blue and ten fin whales) and four sperm whales. The phylogenetic composition of the Bacteria faecal microbiomes of baleen and toothed whales showed no significant differences at the phylum level. However, significant differences were detected at the family and genus levels. Most abundant phyla were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Tenericutes and Spirochaeta. Few highly abundant bacterial genera were identified as key taxa with a high contribution to differences among baleen and toothed whales microbiomes. Only few archaeal sequences were detected, primarily Methanomassiliicoccales representing potential methanogenic Archaea. This is the first study that directly compares the faecal bacterial and archaeal microbiomes of free-ranging baleen and toothed whales which represent the two parvorders of Cetacea which members are fully aquatic large mammals which were evolutionary split millions of years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie P Glaeser
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, IFZ-Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Liliana M R Silva
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rui Prieto
- Institute of Marine Research (IMAR) and Okeanos R&D Centre, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mónica A Silva
- Institute of Marine Research (IMAR) and Okeanos R&D Centre, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Angel Franco
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, IFZ-Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Peter Kämpfer
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, IFZ-Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tobias Eisenberg
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Giessen, Germany
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Rocha MFG, Diógenes EM, Carvalho VL, Marmontel M, da Costa MO, da Silva VMF, de Souza Amaral R, Gravena W, do Carmo NAS, Marigo J, Ocadaque CJ, Freitas AS, Pinheiro RM, de Lima-Neto RG, de Aguiar Cordeiro R, de Aquino Pereira-Neto W, de Melo Guedes GM, Sidrim JJC, de Souza Collares Maia Castelo-Branco D. One Health Implications of Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria from Amazon River Dolphins. ECOHEALTH 2021; 18:383-396. [PMID: 34709509 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-021-01558-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Studies on the microbiota of freshwater cetaceans are scarce and may provide important data on animal and environmental health. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria recovered from two populations of free-ranging Amazon river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis). Twenty-one animals were captured and released, 13 from Negro River and 8 from Tapajós River, Brazil. Swab samples were obtained from the oral cavity, blowhole, genital opening and rectum and were cultured on MacConkey agar. Isolates were biochemically identified, and antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by disk diffusion method. Overall, 132 isolates were recovered, of which 71 were recovered from animals from Negro River and 61 from Tapajós River. The most commonly recovered bacterial species were Enterobacter cloacae, Morganella morganii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Overall, 51.6% (63/122) of the isolates were not-susceptible (intermediate resistance and resistance), of which 28/122 (22.9%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. Cephalothin, cefuroxime and cefepime were the drugs to which more resistant and intermediate results were observed (P < 0.001). The results indicate that free-ranging Amazon river dolphins host resistant bacteria, contributing for their maintenance in the environment. This study highlights the importance of the One Health approach to monitor the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Summary Gram-negative bacteria recovered from 21 free-ranging Amazon river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) from the Negro River and the Tapajós River populations were evaluated for their antimicrobial susceptibility. Overall, 51.6% (63/122) of the isolates were not-susceptible (intermediate resistance and resistance), of which 28/122 (22.9%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. Cephalothin, cefuroxime and cefepime were the drugs to which more resistant and intermediate results were observed. Thus, free-ranging Amazon river dolphins, never treated with antimicrobials, host resistant bacteria, contributing for their maintenance in the environment and highlighting the importance of the One Health approach to monitor the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Fábio Gadelha Rocha
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Laboratory of Emerging and Reemerging Pathogens, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Expedito Maia Diógenes
- Group of Applied Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo, 1315. Fortaleza60.430-275, Ceará, CEP, Brazil
| | - Vitor Luz Carvalho
- Associação de Pesquisa E Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos (AQUASIS), Av. José Alencar, 150. Praia de IparanaCEP 61.627-210, Caucaia, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Miriam Marmontel
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, Amazonas, Brazil
| | | | - Vera M F da Silva
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia -INPA/Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Associação Amigos Do Peixe-Boi-AMPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo de Souza Amaral
- Associação Amigos Do Peixe-Boi-AMPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência eTecnologia Do Amazonas - IFAMZona Leste - CMZL, Campus Manaus, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Waleska Gravena
- Associação Amigos Do Peixe-Boi-AMPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Campus Coari, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Nívia A S do Carmo
- Associação Amigos Do Peixe-Boi-AMPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto Bioma, Pará, Brazil
| | - Juliana Marigo
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária E Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo (LAPCOM, FMVZ-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Crister José Ocadaque
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Alyne Soares Freitas
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Machado Pinheiro
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Reginaldo Gonçalves de Lima-Neto
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Avenida Professor Moraes Rêgo, Universitária - CEP:, S/N - Cidade, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Rossana de Aguiar Cordeiro
- Laboratory of Emerging and Reemerging Pathogens, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Waldemiro de Aquino Pereira-Neto
- Laboratory of Emerging and Reemerging Pathogens, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Glaucia Morgana de Melo Guedes
- Laboratory of Emerging and Reemerging Pathogens, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
- Group of Applied Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo, 1315. Fortaleza60.430-275, Ceará, CEP, Brazil.
| | - José Júlio Costa Sidrim
- Laboratory of Emerging and Reemerging Pathogens, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Débora de Souza Collares Maia Castelo-Branco
- Laboratory of Emerging and Reemerging Pathogens, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Group of Applied Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Program in Medical Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo, 1315. Fortaleza60.430-275, Ceará, CEP, Brazil
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de Sousa GP, Soares RM, Borges JCG, Brito APD, Oliveira DCR, Faita T, Attademo FLN, Luna FDO, de Oliveira REM, Freitas CIA, Vergara-Parente JE, Keid LB. Brucella Infection Investigation in Cetaceans and Manatees in Northeast Brazil. JOURNAL OF AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH 2021; 33:125-132. [PMID: 34121245 DOI: 10.1002/aah.10129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Among the bacterial infections that impair the health status of marine mammals, those caused by Brucella spp. are the most reported worldwide. Brucella infections in marine mammals can result in acute or chronic disease and are associated with variable clinical outcomes, depending on the organ involved during the infectious process, infection route, host immunity, and strain pathogenicity. Asymptomatic infections may also occur. The current study expands the investigation of Brucella infection in northeast Brazil by analyzing 19 dead, stranded cetaceans and 52 Antillean manatees Trichechus manatus manatus. The manatees included 8 dead, captive manatees and 44 live specimens, of which 10 were analyzed only after reintroduction into the wild as part of a rehabilitation program, 9 were analyzed both while in captivity or semi-captivity and after reintroduction, 20 were sampled only in captivity or semi-captivity, and 5 were free-living manatees. Serological tests were used to screen for antibodies against smooth Brucella spp. Whole blood, swabs, and tissue samples were screened for Brucella spp. DNA by PCR. Samples with positive PCR results were cultured for Brucella spp. isolation. All manatees yielded negative results in serological and molecular tests. Brucella spp. DNA was detected in the kidney of one adult Guiana dolphin Sotalia guianensis exhibiting necrosis in the liver. No growth of Brucella spp. was observed via microbiological culturing. This study is the first report of Brucella spp. DNA detection in cetaceans in the state of Pernambuco, and it highlights the importance of conducting systematic monitoring for the presence of Brucella infection in marine mammals along the Brazilian coast, especially in the northeast region, where several cases have been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gláucia Pereira de Sousa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, 13635-900, Brazil
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Santos, São Paulo, 11050-031, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Martins Soares
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, 13635-900, Brazil
| | - João Carlos Gomes Borges
- Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos, Recife, Pernambuco, 52051-305, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Rio Tinto, Paraíba, 58297-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Domingos Brito
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação da Biodiversidade Marinha do Nordeste, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Ilha de Itamaracá, Pernambuco, 53900-000, Brazil
| | - Daniella Carvalho Ribeiro Oliveira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, 13635-900, Brazil
| | - Thalita Faita
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, 13635-900, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Loffler Niemeyer Attademo
- Projeto Cetáceos da Costa Branca, Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, 59080-590, Brazil
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Ilha de Itamaracá, Pernambuco, 53900-000, Brazil
| | - Fábia de Oliveira Luna
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Santos, São Paulo, 11050-031, Brazil
| | - Radan Elvis Matias de Oliveira
- Projeto Cetáceos da Costa Branca, Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, 59080-590, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Carlos Iberê Alves Freitas
- Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil
| | | | - Lara Borges Keid
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, 13635-900, Brazil
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Cilia G, Bertelloni F, Albini S, Fratini F. Insight into the Epidemiology of Leptospirosis: A Review of Leptospira Isolations from "Unconventional" Hosts. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:191. [PMID: 33466962 PMCID: PMC7830643 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a re-emerging worldwide zoonotic disease. Even though the primary serological test for diagnosis and surveying is the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), isolation remains the gold-standard test to detect Leptospira infections. The leptospirosis transmission is linked to maintenance and accidental hosts. In the epidemiology of Leptospira some serovar are strictly related to specific maintenance hosts; however, in recent years, the bacterium was isolated from an even wider spectrum of species. The aim of this review is to report the isolation of Leptospira strains in animals which could be recognized as "unconventional" hosts, analyzing studies from 1960 to 2020 that highlighted the Leptospira isolation. This scientific literature aimed to provide evidence of infection in several animal species including of the Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, Rodentia, Cetacea, Cingulata, Afrosoricida, Chiroptera and Primate orders, as well as in Reptilia and Amphibia classes. In conclusion, the spreading of Leptospira is attention-worthy because the infection could occur in all the animal species ranging in a specific area. Further screening and isolations are needed to collect all necessary data to gain a complete understanding of leptospirosis epidemiology and its modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabrizio Bertelloni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (S.A.); (F.F.)
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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.
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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
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7
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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.
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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
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