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Sacristán C, Ewbank AC, Duarte-Benvenuto A, Sacristán I, Zamana-Ramblas R, Costa-Silva S, Lanes Ribeiro V, Bertozzi CP, Del Rio do Valle R, Castilho PV, Colosio AC, Marcondes MCC, Lailson-Brito J, de Freitas Azevedo A, Carvalho VL, Pessi CF, Cremer M, Esperón F, Catão-Dias JL. Survey of selected viral agents (herpesvirus, adenovirus and hepatitis E virus) in liver and lung samples of cetaceans, Brazil. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2689. [PMID: 38302481 PMCID: PMC10834590 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45315-9] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic and pulmonary lesions are common in cetaceans, despite their poorly understood viral etiology. Herpesviruses (HV), adenoviruses (AdV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are emerging agents in cetaceans, associated with liver and/or pulmonary damage in mammals. We isolated and molecularly tested DNA for HV and AdV (n = 218 individuals; 187 liver and 108 lung samples) and RNA for HEV (n = 147 animals; 147 liver samples) from six cetacean families. All animals stranded or were bycaught in Brazil between 2001 and 2021. Positive-animals were analyzed by histopathology. Statistical analyses assessed if the prevalence of viral infection could be associated with the variables: species, family, habitat, region, sex, and age group. All samples were negative for AdV and HEV. Overall, 8.7% (19/218) of the cetaceans were HV-positive (4.8% [9/187] liver and 11.1% [12/108] lung), without HV-associated lesions. HV-prevalence was statistically significant higher in Pontoporiidae (19.2%, 10/52) when compared to Delphinidae (4.1%, 5/121), and in southeastern (17.1%, 13/76)-the most industrialized Brazilian region-when compared to the northeastern region (2.4%, 3/126). This study broadens the herpesvirus host range in cetaceans, including its description in pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Further studies must elucidate herpesvirus drivers in cetaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sacristán
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), CSIC, Carretera Algete-El Casar de Talamanca, Km. 8,1, 28130, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain.
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - A C Ewbank
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - A Duarte-Benvenuto
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - I Sacristán
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), CSIC, Carretera Algete-El Casar de Talamanca, Km. 8,1, 28130, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - R Zamana-Ramblas
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - S Costa-Silva
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - C P Bertozzi
- São Paulo State University - UNESP, São Vicente, SP, Brazil
| | - R Del Rio do Valle
- Instituto Ecoema de Estudo e Conservação do Meio Ambiente, Peruíbe, SP, Brasil
| | - P V Castilho
- Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina-UDESC, Laguna, SC, Brazil
| | - A C Colosio
- Instituto Baleia Jubarte, Caravelas, BA, Brazil
| | | | - J Lailson-Brito
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores 'Profa Izabel M. G. do N. Gurgel' (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - A de Freitas Azevedo
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores 'Profa Izabel M. G. do N. Gurgel' (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - V L Carvalho
- Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos, Caucaia, CE, Brazil
| | - C F Pessi
- Instituto de Pesquisas Cananéia (IpeC), Cananéia, SP, Brazil
| | - M Cremer
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação de Tetrápodes Marinhos e Costeiros - TETRAMAR, Universidade da Região de Joinville - UNIVILLE, São Francisco Do Sul, SC, Brazil
| | - F Esperón
- Universidad Europea, Villaviciosa de Odon, Spain
| | - J L Catão-Dias
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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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.
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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
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Felipe-Jiménez I, Fernández A, de Quirós YB, Arregui-Gil M, Puig-Lozano R, Arbelo M, Sierra E. Cerebral nasitremiasis in a Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) stranded in the Canary Islands. Res Vet Sci 2023; 158:56-64. [PMID: 36934640 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Ten species within the genus Nasitrema (subfamily Nasitrematinae, family Brachycladiidae) have been reported infecting a wide variety of odontocetes worldwide, although there is still a lack of information about their presence in beaked whales (BWs). Nasitrema spp. are commonly described inhabiting the pterygoid sinus, the tympanic cavities, and the middle and inner ear; although aberrant migrations through the brain have been also reported. This trematode may cause different type of lesions, ranging from mild to severe saculitis, neuritis, otitis, and/or meningoencephalitis that may impede cetaceans to survive in the wild, resulting in incoordination, loss of equilibrium, and echolocation dysfunction ending in a stranding event. The presence of Nasitrema sp. was found in an adult female Blainville beaked whale stranded death in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, on November 2016. The most relevant gross finding was a severe chronic-active multifocal pyogranulomatous and necrotizing encephalitis. Histologically, multiple areas of necrosis, pyogranulomatous and eosinophilic inflammation, haemorrhages and occasional cholesterol crystals were found associated with parasitic structures compatible with an adult trematode and its eggs. Molecular analysis, based on a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of the brain tissue sample detected 99% homology with a partial sequence of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (ND3) gene of Nasitrema delphini. In addition, liver, kidney, prescapular lymph node and brain samples were positive to herpesvirus (conventional nested PCR). Evidence of the presence of this parasite was not found in any of the 54 beaked whales (n = 54) stranded on the Canary Islands between 1999 and 2017, specifically 35 Cuvier's BWs and 19 specimens belonging to the Mesoplodon genus. To our knowledge, the current study represents the first description of a nasitremiasis in a member of the Ziphiidae family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idaira Felipe-Jiménez
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Yara Bernaldo de Quirós
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Marina Arregui-Gil
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Raquel Puig-Lozano
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Eva Sierra
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain
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Molecular Characterization of Herpesviral Encephalitis in Cetaceans: Correlation with Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Findings. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091149. [PMID: 35565575 PMCID: PMC9105563 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this study we describe the molecular and pathological characteristics of alpha- and gamma-herpesvirus infection of the central nervous system of stranded cetaceans and correlate them with viral load, immunohistochemical findings and biological data such as age, sex, and the presence of co-infections. The viruses (alpha- and gamma-herpesvirus) were detected in twelve out of 103 analysed stranded cetaceans and were associated with a wide range of histopathological lesions, as previously described for these and other species. In five out the twelve animals, lesions were severe enough (malacia, neuronal necrosis and neuronophagia) to cause death. Intranuclear inclusions bodies were present in brain tissue samples from half of the HV-positive animals, indicating that the injury was due to an infective agent belonging to a group of filterable viruses. These results are in accordance with immunohistochemical findings, as all the brain tissue samples with INIBs were immunolabeled with Anti-HSV1. Males, juveniles, and calves were predominantly infected among the analysed cetaceans and a 41.6% (5/12) incidence of co-infections in the brain was detected, with three animals co-infected with Dolphin Morbillivirus (DMV). In this study, we present, to the best of our knowledge, the first histopathological evidence of superinfection between HV and DMV pathogens in brain tissue. Abstract Herpesviruses are causative agents of meningitis and encephalitis in cetaceans, which are among the main leading known natural causes of death in these species. Brain samples from 103 stranded cetaceans were retrospectively screened for the presence of herpesvirus DNA in the brain. Molecular detection of Cetacean Morbillivirus was performed in HV positive brain cases. Histopathologic evaluation of brain samples included the presence or absence of the following findings (n = 7): meningitis, perivascular cuffings, microgliosis, intranuclear inclusion bodies, malacia, neuronal necrosis and neurophagic nodules, and haemorrhages. Histological evidence of the involvement of other etiological agents led to complementary analysis. We detected the presence of alpha and gamma-HVs in 12 out of 103 (11.6%) brain samples from stranded cetaceans of five different species: one bottlenose dolphin, six striped dolphins, three Atlantic spotted dolphins, one Cuvier’s beaked whale, and one common dolphin. Pathogenic factors such as viral strain, age, sex, and the presence of co-infections were analysed and correlated with the brain histopathological findings in each case. Herpesvirus was more prevalent in males, juveniles, and calves and a 41.6% incidence of co-infections in the brain was detected in our study: three with Dolphin Morbillivirus, one with Staphilococcus aureus septicaemia and one with Brucella spp.
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Felipe-Jiménez I, Fernández A, Arbelo M, Segura-Göthlin S, Colom-Rivero A, Suárez-Santana CM, De La Fuente J, Sierra E. Molecular Diagnosis of Cetacean Morbillivirus in Beaked Whales Stranded in the Canary Islands (1999–2017). Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9030121. [PMID: 35324849 PMCID: PMC8950905 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9030121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A retrospective survey for detecting the cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) was carried out in beaked whales (BWs) stranded in the Canary Islands (1999–2017). CeMV is responsible for causing worldwide epizootic events with the highest mass die-offs in cetaceans, although the epidemic status of the Canarian Archipelago seems to be that of an endemic situation. A total of 319 tissue samples from 55 BWs (35 Cuvier’s BWs and 20 specimens belonging to the Mesoplodon genus) were subjected to the amplification of a fragment of the fusion protein (F) and/or phosphoprotein (P) genes of CeMV by means of one or more of three polymerase chain reactions (PCR). RNA integrity could not be demonstrated in samples from 11 animals. Positivity (dolphin morbillivirus strain (DMV)) was detected in the skin sample of only a subadult male Cuvier’s BW stranded in 2002, being the earliest confirmed occurrence of DMV in the Cuvier’s BW species. The obtained P gene sequence showed the closest relationship with other DMVs detected in a striped dolphin stranded in the Canary Islands in the same year. A phylogenetic analysis supports a previous hypothesis of a cross-species infection and the existence of the circulation of endemic DMV strains in the Atlantic Ocean similar to those later detected in the North-East Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and the South-West Pacific.
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Sierra E, Ramírez T, Bernaldo de Quirós Y, Arregui M, Mompeó B, Rivero MA, Fernández A. Pulmonary and Systemic Skeletal Muscle Embolism in a Beaked Whale with a Massive Trauma of Unknown Aetiology. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12040508. [PMID: 35203216 PMCID: PMC8868372 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A severe trauma of unknown aetiology was suspected as the cause of death in an adult female Sowerby’s beaked whale found floating dead in the Canary Islands in December 2016. Many bruises in the skin and muscles (contusions) were observed in the chest wall and bone fractures, mainly located in the mandible and ribs. The broken rib bones also affected thoracic muscles, which escaped into the blood circulation once ruptured, reaching several organic locations, including the lungs, where they became trapped within the small lumen of pulmonary blood vessels, leading to a systemic and pulmonary skeletal muscle embolism. An embolism occurs when a piece of intravascular internal or foreign material obstructs the lumen of a blood vessel, starving tissues of blood and oxygen. An embolism necessarily needs cardiac function, indicating a survival time after trauma. This case report aimed to include the diagnosis of skeletal muscle embolism as a routine tool to determine if the traumatic event occurred before or after death. This is especially valuable when working with dead animals because no other evidence of traumatic injury may be recorded if carcasses are in advanced decay. Abstract An adult female Sowerby’s beaked whale was found floating dead in Hermigua (La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain) on 7 December 2016. Severe traumas of unknown aetiology were attributed, and the gross and microscopic findings are consistent with catastrophic trauma as a cause of death. Rib fractures affected the intercostals, transverse thoracis skeletal muscles, and thoracic rete mirabile. Degenerated muscle fibres were extruded to flow into vascular and lymphatic vessels travelling to several anatomic locations into the thoracic cavity, including the lungs, where they occluded the small lumen of pulmonary microvasculature. A pulmonary and systemic skeletal muscle embolism was diagnosed, constituting the first description of this kind of embolism in an animal. The only previous description has been reported in a woman after peritoneal dialysis. Skeletal pulmonary embolism should be considered a valuable diagnostic for different types of trauma in vivo in wild animals. This is especially valuable when working with decomposed carcasses, as in those cases, it is not always feasible to assess other traumatic evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Sierra
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35413 Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (T.R.); (Y.B.d.Q.); (M.A.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Tania Ramírez
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35413 Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (T.R.); (Y.B.d.Q.); (M.A.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Yara Bernaldo de Quirós
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35413 Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (T.R.); (Y.B.d.Q.); (M.A.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Marina Arregui
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35413 Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (T.R.); (Y.B.d.Q.); (M.A.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Blanca Mompeó
- Department of Morphology, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35016 Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain;
| | - Miguel A. Rivero
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35413 Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (T.R.); (Y.B.d.Q.); (M.A.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35413 Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (T.R.); (Y.B.d.Q.); (M.A.); (M.A.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Febronio AM, Boos GS, Batista RL, Amorim DB, Guimarães JP, Bianchi MV, Mariani DB, Koproski L, Mari C, Parente J, Sonne L, Werneck MR, Marques SM, Driemeier D, Kolesnikovas CK, Groch KR, Sobotyk C, Verocai GG, Groch KR, Díaz-Delgado J. Crassicaudiasis in three geographically and chronologically distant Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) stranded off Brazil. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2021; 16:262-269. [PMID: 34824971 PMCID: PMC8605309 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.10.010] [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: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The Cuvier's beaked whale (CBW; Ziphius cavirostris) is a cosmopolitan marine mammal found in deep tropical and temperate waters of all oceans. CBW strandings have been recorded sporadically in Brazil; however, there is lack of information available regarding their causes of stranding and/or death. Herein, we report the epidemiologic, pathologic, morphologic parasitologic features and molecular identification of arterial and renal crassicaudiasis by Crassicauda sp. in three geographically and chronologically distant CBW stranded off Brazil. CBW-1 was an adult male stranded dead in Rio Grande do Sul State. CBW-2 was an adult female that stranded alive in Sergipe State and died shortly after. CBW-3 was and adult male that stranded dead in Santa Catarina State. The most relevant pathologic findings in these three CBW were severe, chronic proliferative mesenteric and caudal aortic endarteritis and chronic granulomatous and fibrosing interstitial nephritis with renicular atrophy and loss, and numerous intralesional Crassicauda sp. nematodes. Furthermore, CBW-1 had concomitant gram-negative bacterial pneumonia and pulmonary and hepatic thromboembolism. Morphologic analysis of renal adult nematodes identified Crassicauda sp. in the three CBW. Molecular analyses targeting the 18S and ITS-2 ribosomal loci of renal nematodes in CBW-2 and CBW-3 identified C. anthonyi. It is believed that severe arterial and renal crassicaudiasis likely resulted or contributed significantly to morbidity and death of these animals. These results expand the known geographical range of occurrence of crassicaudiasis in CBW. Specifically, the present study provides the first accounts of arterial and renal crassicaudiasis in CBW off the southern hemisphere, specifically in CBW off Brazil, and to the authors' knowledge, it is the first record of C. anthonyi in the southern Atlantic Ocean. First record of Crassicauda anthonyi in cetaceans off the southern Atlantic Ocean. Arterial and renal crassicaudiasis may be fatal in Ziphius cavirostris. ITS-2 gene sequence analysis enables Crassicauda species identification.
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Vargas-Castro I, Melero M, Crespo-Picazo JL, Jiménez MDLÁ, Sierra E, Rubio-Guerri C, Arbelo M, Fernández A, García-Párraga D, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. Systematic Determination of Herpesvirus in Free-Ranging Cetaceans Stranded in the Western Mediterranean: Tissue Tropism and Associated Lesions. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112180. [PMID: 34834986 PMCID: PMC8621769 DOI: 10.3390/v13112180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The monitoring of herpesvirus infection provides useful information when assessing marine mammals’ health. This paper shows the prevalence of herpesvirus infection (80.85%) in 47 cetaceans stranded on the coast of the Valencian Community, Spain. Of the 966 tissues evaluated, 121 tested positive when employing nested-PCR (12.53%). The largest proportion of herpesvirus-positive tissue samples was in the reproductive system, nervous system, and tegument. Herpesvirus was more prevalent in females, juveniles, and calves. More than half the DNA PCR positive tissues contained herpesvirus RNA, indicating the presence of actively replicating virus. This RNA was most frequently found in neonates. Fourteen unique sequences were identified. Most amplified sequences belonged to the Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily, but a greater variation was found in Alphaherpesvirinae sequences. This is the first report of systematic herpesvirus DNA and RNA determination in free-ranging cetaceans. Nine (19.14%) were infected with cetacean morbillivirus and all of them (100%) were coinfected with herpesvirus. Lesions similar to those caused by herpesvirus in other species were observed, mainly in the skin, upper digestive tract, genitalia, and central nervous system. Other lesions were also attributable to concomitant etiologies or were nonspecific. It is necessary to investigate the possible role of herpesvirus infection in those cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Vargas-Castro
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (C.R.-G.); (J.M.S.-V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Mar Melero
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (C.R.-G.); (J.M.S.-V.)
- Division of External Health, Government Delegation in the Community of Madrid, Ministry of Territorial Policy, 28071 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Crespo-Picazo
- Research Department, Fundación Oceanogràfic de la Comunitat Valenciana, 46013 Valencia, Spain; (J.L.C.-P.); (D.G.-P.)
| | - María de los Ángeles Jiménez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Eva Sierra
- Division of Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416 Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (M.A.); (A.F.)
| | - Consuelo Rubio-Guerri
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (C.R.-G.); (J.M.S.-V.)
- Department of Pharmacy, Facultad de CC de la Salud, UCH-CEU University, 46113 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Division of Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416 Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (M.A.); (A.F.)
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Division of Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416 Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (M.A.); (A.F.)
| | - Daniel García-Párraga
- Research Department, Fundación Oceanogràfic de la Comunitat Valenciana, 46013 Valencia, Spain; (J.L.C.-P.); (D.G.-P.)
| | - José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (C.R.-G.); (J.M.S.-V.)
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