1
|
Grattarola C, Pietroluongo G, Belluscio D, Berio E, Canonico C, Centelleghe C, Cocumelli C, Crotti S, Denurra D, Di Donato A, Di Francesco G, Di Guardo G, Di Nocera F, Di Renzo L, Gavaudan S, Giorda F, Lucifora G, Marino L, Marcer F, Marsili L, Migliore S, Pascucci I, Petrella A, Pintore A, Puleio R, Rubini S, Terracciano G, Toffan A, Mazzariol S, Casalone C. Pathogen Prevalence in Cetaceans Stranded along the Italian Coastline between 2015 and 2020. Pathogens 2024; 13:762. [PMID: 39338953 PMCID: PMC11434651 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13090762] [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: 08/08/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The monitoring of stranded marine mammals represents a strategic method to assess their health, conservation status, and ecological role in the marine ecosystem. Networks worldwide track stranding events for the passive monitoring of mortality patterns, emerging and reemerging pathogens, climate change, and environmental degradation from a One Health perspective. This study summarizes pathogen prevalence data from the Italian Stranding Network (ISN) derived from post-mortem investigations on cetaceans found dead stranded along the Italian coastline between 2015 and 2020. The decomposition of the carcasses and logistics limited the post-mortem examination to 585 individuals, out of 1236 single-stranding reports. The most relevant pathogens identified were Cetacean Morbillivirus, Herpesvirus, Brucella spp., and Toxoplasma gondii, whose roles as environmental stressors are well known, despite their real impact still needing to be investigated in depth. Statistical analysis showed that age and sex seem to be positively related to the presence of pathogens. This study represents the first step in harmonizing post-mortem investigations, which is crucial for evidence-based conservation efforts. Implementing diagnostic and forensic frameworks could offer an indirect insight into the systematic monitoring of diseases to improve the identification of regional and temporal hotspots in which to target specific mitigation, management, and conservation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Grattarola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 10154 Turin, Italy
- National Reference Center for Diagnostic Investigations in Stranded Marine Mammals (C.Re.Di.Ma.), 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Guido Pietroluongo
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Donatella Belluscio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Enrica Berio
- Department of Prevention, Local Veterinary Services, ASL1 Sistema Sanitario Regione Liguria, 18038 Sanremo, Italy
| | - Cristina Canonico
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Cinzia Centelleghe
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for Cetacean Research (CIRCE), 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cristiano Cocumelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, 00178 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Crotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Daniele Denurra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Di Donato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 44124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gabriella Di Francesco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Di Nocera
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Ludovica Di Renzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", 64100 Teramo, Italy
- Centro Studi Cetacei, 65125 Pescara, Italy
| | - Stefano Gavaudan
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Federica Giorda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 10154 Turin, Italy
- National Reference Center for Diagnostic Investigations in Stranded Marine Mammals (C.Re.Di.Ma.), 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lucifora
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Leonardo Marino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Federica Marcer
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Letizia Marsili
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for Cetacean Research (CIRCE), 53100 Siena, Italy
- Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sergio Migliore
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pascucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Petrella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Antonio Pintore
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberto Puleio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Silva Rubini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 44124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giuliana Terracciano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, 56123 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Toffan
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Sandro Mazzariol
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for Cetacean Research (CIRCE), 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cristina Casalone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 10154 Turin, Italy
- National Reference Center for Diagnostic Investigations in Stranded Marine Mammals (C.Re.Di.Ma.), 10154 Turin, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tschritter CM, V. C. de Groot P, Branigan M, Dyck M, Sun Z, Lougheed SC. A new multiplexed magnetic capture-Droplet digital PCR tool for monitoring wildlife population health and pathogen surveillance. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10655. [PMID: 37915804 PMCID: PMC10616740 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic stressors are exacerbating the emergence and spread of pathogens worldwide. In regions like the Arctic, where ecosystems are particularly susceptible, marked changes are predicted in regional diversity, intensity, and patterns of infectious diseases. To understand such rapidly changing host-pathogen dynamics and mitigate the impacts of novel pathogens, we need sensitive disease surveillance tools. We developed and validated a novel multiplexed, magnetic capture, and ddPCR tool for the surveillance of multiple pathogens in polar bears, a sentinel species that is considered susceptible to climate change and other stressors with a pan-Arctic distribution. Through sequence-specific magnetic capture, we concentrated five target template sequences from three zoonotic bacteria (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Francisella tularensis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex) and two parasitic (Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp.) pathogens from large quantities (<100 g) of host tissue. We then designed and validated two multiplexed probe-based ddPCR assays for the amplification and detection of the low-concentration target DNA. Validations used 48 polar bear tissues (muscle and liver). We detected 14, 1, 3, 4, and 22 tissue positives for E. rhusiopathiae, F. tularensis, M. tuberculosis complex, T. gondii, and Trichinella spp., respectively. These multiplexed assays offer a rapid, specific tool for quantifying and monitoring the changing geographical and host distributions of pathogens relevant to human and animal health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marsha Branigan
- Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesGovernment of the Northwest TerritoriesInuvikNorthwest TerritoriesCanada
| | - Markus Dyck
- Department of EnvironmentGovernment of NunavutIgloolikNunavutCanada
| | - Zhengxin Sun
- Department of BiologyQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Segura-Göthlin S, Fernández A, Arbelo M, Andrada Borzollino MA, Felipe-Jiménez I, Colom-Rivero A, Fiorito C, Sierra E. Viral skin diseases in odontocete cetaceans: gross, histopathological, and molecular characterization of selected pathogens. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1188105. [PMID: 37745220 PMCID: PMC10514499 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1188105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Fifty-five skin lesions from 31 stranded cetaceans along the Canary coasts (2011-2021) were submitted to macroscopic, histological, and molecular analyses to confirm infection by cetacean poxvirus, herpesvirus and cetacean morbillivirus. They were macroscopically categorized into eight categories with respective subcategories according to their color, shape, size, and consistency. Cetacean poxvirus was detected in 54.54% of the skin lesions through real-time and conventional PCRs based on the DNA polymerase gene. Additionally, herpesvirus and morbillivirus were currently detected from 43.63 and 1.82% of the cutaneous lesions, respectively. Coinfection of poxvirus and herpesvirus was detected in nine of them (16.36%), which makes the present study the first to report coinfection by both pathogens in skin lesions in cetaceans. A plausible approach to histopathological characterization of poxvirus-and herpesvirus-positive skin lesions was established. Hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, ballooning degeneration, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in vacuolized keratinocytes through the stratum spinosum were common findings in poxvirus skin lesions. Alphaherpesvirus was associated with a prominent acanthotic epidermis, moderate necrosis, multifocal dyskeratosis, and irregular keratinocytes with both cellular and nuclei pleomorphism. The common histopathological findings of both pathogens were observed in coinfection lesions. However, those associated with herpesvirus were considerably more remarkable. Relationships between molecular and microscopic findings were observed for the lesions that showed tattoo-like and tortuous patterns. Further multidisciplinary diagnostic studies of infected skin lesions are needed to understand the epidemiology of these emerging infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Segura-Göthlin
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Marisa Ana Andrada Borzollino
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Idaira Felipe-Jiménez
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Ana Colom-Rivero
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Carla Fiorito
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CESIMAR-CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Eva Sierra
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chludzinski E, Ciurkiewicz M, Stoff M, Klemens J, Krüger J, Shin DL, Herrler G, Beineke A. Canine Distemper Virus Alters Defense Responses in an Ex Vivo Model of Pulmonary Infection. Viruses 2023; 15:v15040834. [PMID: 37112814 PMCID: PMC10144441 DOI: 10.3390/v15040834] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV), belonging to the genus Morbillivirus, is a highly contagious pathogen. It is infectious in a wide range of host species, including domestic and wildlife carnivores, and causes severe systemic disease with involvement of the respiratory tract. In the present study, canine precision-cut lung slices (PCLSs) were infected with CDV (strain R252) to investigate temporospatial viral loads, cell tropism, ciliary activity, and local immune responses during early infection ex vivo. Progressive viral replication was observed during the infection period in histiocytic and, to a lesser extent, epithelial cells. CDV-infected cells were predominantly located within the bronchial subepithelial tissue. Ciliary activity was reduced in CDV-infected PCLSs, while viability remained unchanged when compared to controls. MHC-II expression was increased in the bronchial epithelium on day three postinfection. Elevated levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β) were observed in CDV-infected PCLSs on day one postinfection. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that PCLSs are permissive for CDV. The model reveals an impaired ciliary function and an anti-inflammatory cytokine response, potentially fostering viral replication in the lung during the early phase of canine distemper.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Chludzinski
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Małgorzata Ciurkiewicz
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Melanie Stoff
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Johanna Klemens
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Johannes Krüger
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Dai-Lun Shin
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Georg Herrler
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Beineke
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), 30559 Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Phenotypic and Transcriptional Changes of Pulmonary Immune Responses in Dogs Following Canine Distemper Virus Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710019. [PMID: 36077417 PMCID: PMC9456005 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710019] [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: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV), a morbillivirus within the family Paramyxoviridae, is a highly contagious infectious agent causing a multisystemic, devastating disease in a broad range of host species, characterized by severe immunosuppression, encephalitis and pneumonia. The present study aimed at investigating pulmonary immune responses of CDV-infected dogs in situ using immunohistochemistry and whole transcriptome analyses by bulk RNA sequencing. Spatiotemporal analysis of phenotypic changes revealed pulmonary immune responses primarily driven by MHC-II+, Iba-1+ and CD204+ innate immune cells during acute and subacute infection phases, which paralleled pathologic lesion development and coincided with high viral loads in CDV-infected lungs. CD20+ B cell numbers initially declined, followed by lymphoid repopulation in the advanced disease phase. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated an increased expression of transcripts related to innate immunity, antiviral defense mechanisms, type I interferon responses and regulation of cell death in the lung of CDV-infected dogs. Molecular analyses also revealed disturbed cytokine responses with a pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage polarization and impaired mucociliary defense in CDV-infected lungs. The exploratory study provides detailed data on CDV-related pulmonary immune responses, expanding the list of immunologic parameters potentially leading to viral elimination and virus-induced pulmonary immunopathology in canine distemper.
Collapse
|
6
|
The Odontocete Ear Canal-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (ECALT) and Lymph Nodes: Morphological and Pathological Description with Immuno-Phenotypic Characterisation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172235. [PMID: 36077961 PMCID: PMC9454554 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The marine mammal immune system is of vital importance for the health of any marine mammal. With changes in the natural environment and with increasing anthropogenic stressors such as pollution, the immune system is challenged to unknown extents. Dolphins and other odontocete cetaceans have been shown to be particularly sensitive to anthropogenic influence in many aspects. In this regard, it is important to understand how these animals cope with novel stressors and how the immune system works and responds. In studying parallel issues related to underwater noise pollution, we looked at the cetacean ear canal and analysed in detail the cells of the immune system. Like the skin, it is likely to be exposed to the external environment and requires a local defence system as a first barrier to incoming threats. We studied the ear-canal associated immune system and describe the cell population using a variety of microscopic techniques. We describe healthy and activated tissue and cases with inflammation of the external ear canal and compare the different physiological states. As such, this study contributes to acquiring a general understanding of the odontocete cetacean immune system. Abstract A changing marine environment with emerging natural and anthropogenic stressors challenges the marine mammal immune system. The skin and adnexa form a first protective barrier in the immune response, although this is still relatively understudied in cetaceans. The cellular and tissue morphology of the nodular and diffuse lymphoid tissue are not fully charted and the physiological responses are not yet completely understood. The odontocete’s external ear canal has a complex relationship with the external environment, with an artificial lumen rendering the inside of the canal a relatively secluded environment. In this work, we studied the odontocete ear canal-associated lymphoid tissue (ECALT) by histo- and immunohistochemistry (HC, IHC) with anti-CD3, anti-CD20, anti-Iba-1, anti-HLA-DR, and anti-vimentin antibodies. The ECALT cellular composition consists mainly of B-lymphocytes with the occasional presence of T-lymphocytes and the dispersed distribution of the macrophages. In cases of activation, the cellular reaction showed a similar pattern with the occasional presence of T-cells, plasma cells, and neutrophils. Nodular lymphoid tissue was generally in line with the description in other odontocetes, although with abundant erythrocytes throughout the entire organ. This study contributes to the understanding of the cellular composition of diffuse and nodular lymphoid tissue in several species of odontocetes, and in association with inflammation of the external ear canal.
Collapse
|
7
|
Itai Y, Ueda Y, Etoh T, Shirasaka Y, Shiroshita H, Shiraishi N, Daa T, Inomata M. Clinical significance of sarcoid-like reaction in lymph nodes of gastric cancer patients. J Surg Oncol 2021; 124:293-300. [PMID: 34003494 DOI: 10.1002/jso.26525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although granulomatous formation (sarcoid-like reaction [SR]) similar to sarcoidosis occasionally occurs in regional lymph nodes of malignant tumors, the pathological significance of SR is unknown. We aimed to elucidate the clinicopathological significance and prognostic relevance of SR in gastric cancer. METHODS We evaluated 391 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer between 2007 and 2016 at our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups according to presence of SR in lymph nodes, and clinicopathological factors and prognosis were compared between the two groups. RESULTS SR was found in 67 (17.1%) of the 391 patients, and 332 (3.3%) of 10,149 lymph nodes examined. Regarding clinicopathological factors, SR-positive group showed significantly higher average age (p < 0.01) and numbers of differentiated tumors than SR-negative group (p < 0.05). Three-year overall survival rate in elderly patients aged ≥75 years was significantly more favorable in SR-positive group (n = 27, 85.2%) versus SR-negative group (n = 97, 63.4%) (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical studies showed the predominant presence of CD68-positive macrophages for SR, with CD4/CD8-positive T cells and interleukin-10 also positive. CONCLUSION The presence of SR in gastric cancer is frequent in elderly patients and might be a favorable indicator of prognosis. SR is suggested to reflect immune activation in the host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Itai
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan.,Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Yoshitake Ueda
- Department of Comprehensive Surgery for Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Etoh
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Shirasaka
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Hidefumi Shiroshita
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Norio Shiraishi
- Department of Comprehensive Surgery for Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Daa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Masafumi Inomata
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Groch KR, Jerdy H, Marcondes MC, Barbosa LA, Ramos HG, Pavanelli L, Fornells LAM, Silva MB, Souza GS, Kanashiro MM, Bussad P, Silveira LS, Costa-Silva S, Wiener DJ, Travassos CE, Catão-Dias JL, Díaz-Delgado J. Cetacean Morbillivirus Infection in a Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) from Brazil. J Comp Pathol 2020; 181:26-32. [PMID: 33288147 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2020.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We provide pathological, immunohistochemical and molecular evidence of cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) infection in a live-stranded adult female killer whale (Orcinus orca), which stranded alive in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, in 2014. Although attempts were made to release the animal, it stranded again and died. The main pathological findings were severe pulmonary oedema, pleural petechiation, multifocal, lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis and leptomeningomyelitis with perivascular cuffing and gliosis, chronic lymphocytic bronchointerstitial pneumonia and multicentric lymph node and splenic lymphoid depletion. Other pathological findings were associated with the 'live-stranding stress response'. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed multifocal morbilliviral antigen in neurons and astrocytes, and in pneumocytes, histiocytes and leukocytes in the lung. CeMV was detected by a novel reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method in the brain and kidney. Phylogenetic analysis of part of the morbillivirus phosphoprotein gene indicates that the virus is similar to the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) morbillivirus strain, known to affect cetaceans along the coast of Brazil. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of morbillivirus disease in killer whales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kátia R Groch
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Hassan Jerdy
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Luz Alba Mg Fornells
- Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marina B Silva
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Giliane S Souza
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Milton M Kanashiro
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pollyana Bussad
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo S Silveira
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Samira Costa-Silva
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dominique J Wiener
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Carlos Epf Travassos
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José L Catão-Dias
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Josué Díaz-Delgado
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Groch KR, Díaz-Delgado J, Santos-Neto EB, Ikeda JMP, Carvalho RR, Oliveira RB, Guari EB, Flach L, Sierra E, Godinho AI, Fernández A, Keid LB, Soares RM, Kanamura CT, Favero C, Ferreira-Machado E, Sacristán C, Porter BF, Bisi TL, Azevedo AF, Lailson-Brito J, Catão-Dias JL. The Pathology of Cetacean Morbillivirus Infection and Comorbidities in Guiana Dolphins During an Unusual Mortality Event (Brazil, 2017-2018). Vet Pathol 2020; 57:845-857. [PMID: 32964811 DOI: 10.1177/0300985820954550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV; Paramyxoviridae) is the most significant pathogen of cetaceans worldwide. The novel "multi-host" Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis; GD)-CeMV strain is reported in South American waters and infects Guiana dolphins and southern right whales (Eubalaena australis). This study aimed to describe the pathologic findings, GD-CeMV viral antigen distribution and detection by RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction), and infectious comorbidities in 29 Guiana dolphins that succumbed during an unusual mass-mortality event in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, between November 2017 and March 2018. The main gross findings were lack of ingesta, pulmonary edema, ascites, icterus, hepatic lipidosis, multicentric lymphadenomegaly, as well as pneumonia, polyserositis, and multiorgan vasculitis caused by Halocercus brasiliensis. Microscopically, the primary lesions were bronchointerstitial pneumonia and multicentric lymphoid depletion. The severity and extent of the lesions paralleled the distribution and intensity of morbilliviral antigen. For the first time in cetaceans, morbilliviral antigen was detected in salivary gland, optic nerve, heart, diaphragm, parietal and visceral epithelium of glomeruli, vulva, and thyroid gland. Viral antigen within circulating leukocytes suggested this as a mechanism of dissemination within the host. Comorbidities included disseminated toxoplasmosis, mycosis, ciliated protozoosis, and bacterial disease including brucellosis. These results provide strong evidence for GD-CeMV as the main cause of this unusual mass-mortality event.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Josué Díaz-Delgado
- 28133University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,67283Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Joana M P Ikeda
- 28130Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael R Carvalho
- 28130Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raissa B Oliveira
- 28130Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Emi B Guari
- 28130Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Flach
- Instituto Boto Cinza, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eva Sierra
- 16750University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Ana I Godinho
- 16750University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández
- 16750University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Lara B Keid
- 28133University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tatiana L Bisi
- 28130Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Groch KR, Taniwaki SA, Favero CM, Brandão PE, Díaz-Delgado J, Fernández A, Catão-Dias JL, Sierra E. A novel real-time PCR to detect Cetacean morbillivirus in Atlantic cetaceans. J Virol Methods 2020; 285:113964. [PMID: 32889003 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2020.113964] [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: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV, family Paramyxoviridae) is a re-emergent pathogen associated with severe epizootic outbreaks causing high mortality among cetaceans worldwide. Recently, CeMV caused an unusual mortality event of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in Brazil. Partial sequence of the viral phosphoprotein (P) gene showed that the Guiana dolphin morbillivirus (GDMV) might represent a new lineage of CeMV. This study aimed to develop a molecular technique to detect the most common CeMV strains known to circulate in the Atlantic Ocean: GDMV, Dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) and Pilot-whale morbillivirus (PWMV). A sensible real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method based on intercalating dye, targeting the P gene was described. This assay successfully detected GDMV, PWMV and DMV from field samples. Its performance was compared to a RT-qPCR method that specifically detects GDMV. Both assays had high sensibility and excellent intra- and inter-assay reproducibility. A total of 109 field samples from 32 Guiana dolphins were screened for CeMV by conventional RT-PCR in parallel with the RT-qPCR assay. The detection rate increased from 32% to 60% by use of the novel RT-qPCR. The RT-qPCR assay described herein allows rapid and sensitive detection of Atlantic CeMV strains, and is potentially suitable for screening of CeMV globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kátia R Groch
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Sueli Akemi Taniwaki
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular Aplicada e Sorologia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Cíntia Maria Favero
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo Eduardo Brandão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular Aplicada e Sorologia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Josué Díaz-Delgado
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, 483 Agronomy Rd., College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Arucas, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - José Luiz Catão-Dias
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Eva Sierra
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Arucas, Canary Islands, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Marsili L, Di Guardo G, Mazzariol S, Casini S. Insights Into Cetacean Immunology: Do Ecological and Biological Factors Make the Difference? Front Immunol 2019; 10:1219. [PMID: 31214183 PMCID: PMC6554325 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain-related protein A (MICA) in fibroblast cell cultures of cetaceans (skin biopsies of free-ranging specimens and skin samples of freshly stranded cetaceans) by an immunofluorescence technique and to outline possible variations in MICA expression linked to different ecological and biological factors, while also investigating MICA expression after in vitro treatments with different contaminants. Free-ranging or stranded specimens of cetaceans were sampled in the Sea of Cortez (Mexico) (Balaenoptera edeni, Delphinus capensis, and Orcinus orca) and in the Mediterranean Sea (Balaenoptera physalus, Physeter macrocephalus, Tursiops truncatus, and Stenella coeruleoalba). Cell cultures were treated with an OC mixture, flame retardants, PAHs, MeHg, and BPA. The three species from the Sea of Cortez showed higher basal activity of MICA and lower levels of DDTs and PCBs than the Mediterranean species. A Pearson's linear coefficient equal to −0.45 also confirmed this tendency to have high levels of MICA and low total OC levels. Treatment of cultured fibroblasts with different contaminants mostly resulted in the upregulation of MICA protein expression by at least one treatment dose; downregulation was also found in some species or treatments. MICA alteration indicates a state of stress of the organism and a modification of the immune system's response and can be proposed as a non-invasive immunological marker that can be measured in skin biopsy samples, thus offering a good alternative to blood measurements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Marsili
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Sandro Mazzariol
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Silvia Casini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|