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Veldhuis Kroeze EJB, van Elk CE, van de Bildt MWG, van Run PRWA, Foster G, Abou-Chakra N, Hare RK, Kuiken T. Infection with Pythium flevoense in a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) as a novel cause of dermatitis in marine mammals. Vet Res 2023; 54:102. [PMID: 37919808 PMCID: PMC10623814 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-023-01226-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The oomycete Pythium flevoense was diagnosed as the cause of dermatitis in a young adult female harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) that had been trapped in a pound net in a temperate saltwater environment. Disease from Pythium sp. infection-pythiosis-is infrequently diagnosed in humans, horses, dogs, cattle, and few other mammalian species. Pythiosis is typically associated with exposure to tropical or subtropical freshwater conditions, and typically caused by Pythium insidiosum. However, until now, pythiosis has been reported in neither marine mammals nor temperate saltwater conditions, and P. flevoense is not known as a cause of pythiosis in mammals. This porpoise developed generalised dermatitis despite treatment and euthanasia was necessary. Histopathological evaluation revealed a chronic active erosive dermatitis, with intralesional hyphae morphologically consistent with a Pythium sp. PCR analysis and sequencing of affected skin matched Pythium flevoense with a 100% similarity to the reference strain. Additional diagnostics excluded other pathogens. Based on this case report, P. flevoense needs to be considered as a mammalian pathogen. Furthermore, harbour porpoises and possibly other marine mammals may be at risk of infection with P. flevoense, and pythiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of dermatitis in marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cornelis E van Elk
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco W G van de Bildt
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter R W A van Run
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nissrine Abou-Chakra
- Unit for Mycology, Department of Bacteria Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Krøger Hare
- Unit for Mycology, Department of Bacteria Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thijs Kuiken
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Emelianchik A, Rodrigues TCS, Subramaniam K, Nielsen O, Burek-Huntington KA, Rotstein D, Popov VL, Stone D, Waltzek TB. Characterization of a novel rhabdovirus isolated from a stranded harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Virus Res 2019; 273:197742. [PMID: 31499088 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.197742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
An adult male harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) stranded off the coast of Alaska displaying poor body condition, scattered mild ulcerative dermatitis, and necrotizing balanoposthitis. Necropsy findings included severe verminous panniculitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, and enteritis. Histopathological examination of skin lesions revealed a pustular epidermitis and dermatitis, with ballooning degeneration of keratinocytes and occasional amphophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. A swab sample collected from the ulcerative penile lesions was processed for virus isolation resulting in cytopathic effects observed in primary beluga whale kidney (BWK) cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed bullet-shaped virions budding from the cell surface of infected BWK cells consistent with a rhabdovirus. A cDNA library was prepared using RNA extracted from infected cell culture supernatant and sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq sequencer. The near-complete genome of a novel rhabdovirus was recovered. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses based on the complete L gene supported the harbour porpoise rhabdovirus (HPRV) as a new species. HPRV clustered phylogenetically with dolphin rhabdovirus (DRV) and this cetacean rhabdovirus clade was found to be the sister group to members of the genus Perhabdovirus that infect fish. A specific nested RT-PCR assay detected HPRV RNA in the epaxial musculature of the harbour porpoise. Our results are consistent with a previous hypothesis that cetacean rhabdoviruses may have arisen following a host jump from fish and suggest that DRV and HPRV represent separate species belonging in a new genus within the family Rhabdoviridae. Further research is needed to determine the health impact of HPRV in harbour porpoise populations, its prevalence, and route of transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ole Nielsen
- Department of Fisheries & Oceans Canada, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - David Rotstein
- Marine Mammal Pathology Services, 19117 Bloomfield Road, 20832, Olney, Maryland, USA
| | - Vsevolod L Popov
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, 77555-0609, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - David Stone
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Weymouth, DT4 8UB, UK
| | - Thomas B Waltzek
- University of Florida, 2187 Mowry Road, 32611, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
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Gonzales-Viera O, Ruoppolo V, Marigo J, Carvalho VL, Groch KR, Bertozzi CP, Takakura C, Namiyama G, Vanstreels RET, Catão-Dias JL. Renal lesions in cetaceans from Brazil. J Comp Pathol 2015; 152:345-54. [PMID: 25824116 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2015.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This study reports the occurrence of renal lesions in cetaceans from the coast of Brazil subjected to necropsy examination between 1996 and 2011. The animals (n = 192) were by-caught in fishing nets, were found dead on beaches or died despite attempted rehabilitation. Kidney samples were evaluated grossly and microscopically and, depending on the histopathological findings, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses were conducted. Due to autolysis, a diagnosis was reached in only 128 animals, of which 82 (64.1%) had kidney lesions. Cystic renal disease was the most common lesion observed in 34 cases (26.6%) and these were classified as simple cysts in eight cases (6.3%), polycystic kidney disease in one rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), secondary glomerulocystic disease in 16 cases (12.5%) and primary glomerulocystic disease in nine cases (7%). Other lesions included membranous glomerulonephritis (28 cases; 21.9%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (20 cases; 15.6%), lymphoplasmacytic interstitial nephritis (21 cases; 16.4%), lipidosis (19 cases; 14.8%), glomerulosclerosis (8 cases; 6.3%) and pyogranulomatous nephritis(five cases; 3.9%); two of the later were associated with the migration of nematode larvae. Additionally, tubular adenoma was identified in a Franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei). The pathological implications of these lesions are discussed according the cause of death, age or sex of the animals. Furthermore, the lesions were compared with those of other marine and terrestrial mammals, including man.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Gonzales-Viera
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens (LAPCOM), Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - V Ruoppolo
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens (LAPCOM), Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; International Fund for Animal Welfare, Yarmouth Port, MA, USA
| | - J Marigo
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens (LAPCOM), Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Projeto Biopesca, Praia Grande, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - V L Carvalho
- Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos, Ceará, Brazil
| | - K R Groch
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens (LAPCOM), Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C P Bertozzi
- Projeto Biopesca, Praia Grande, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C Takakura
- Laboratório da Disciplina de Patologia de Doenças Transmissíveis, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G Namiyama
- Núcleo de Microscopia Eletrônica, Centro de Procedimentos Interdisciplinares, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R E T Vanstreels
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens (LAPCOM), Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J L Catão-Dias
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens (LAPCOM), Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Isidoro-ayza M, Pérez L, Cabañes FJ, Castellà G, Andrés M, Vidal E, Domingo M. Central Nervous System Mucormycosis Caused by Cunninghamella Bertholletiae in a Bottlenose Dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus ). J Wildl Dis 2014; 50:634-8. [DOI: 10.7589/2013-10-284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Barnett J, Riley P, Cooper T, Linton C, Wessels M. Mycotic encephalitis in a grey seal (
Halichoerus grypus
) pup associated with
Rhizomucor pusillus
infection. Vet rec case rep 2014. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2014-000115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James Barnett
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories AgencyTruroCornwallUK
- Environment and Sustainability InstitutePenrynCornwallUK
| | - Paul Riley
- Head and Head Veterinary Surgeons Ltd.HelstonCornwallUK
| | | | | | - Mark Wessels
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories AgencyPrestonLancashireUK
- Finn PathologistsDissNorfolkUK
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6
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Abdo W, Kakizoe Y, Ryono M, Dover SR, Fukushi H, Okuda H, Kano R, Shibahara T, Okada E, Sakai H, Yanai T. Pulmonary zygomycosis with Cunninghamella bertholletiae in a killer whale (Orcinus orca). J Comp Pathol 2011; 147:94-9. [PMID: 22000035 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2011.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2011] [Revised: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An adult female killer whale (Orcinus orca) was transported to the Port of Nagoya public aquarium in June 2010. While the animal was being maintained in the aquarium there was a gradual decrease in body weight. On October 1st, 2010 the whale exhibited signs of gastrointestinal disease and died on January 14th, 2011. At necropsy examination the gastric compartments were filled with a large number of variably-sized rocks (total weight 81.4 kg) and there was marked ulceration in the third compartment. There were multifocal tubercle-like nodules within the lungs and on sectioning there were numerous abscesses and pulmonary cavities. Microscopically, there was severe suppurative pneumonia associated with fungal hyphae that were infrequently septate and often branched. Numerous bacterial colonies were also present. The hyphae demonstrated immunohistochemical cross-reactivity with Rhizomucor spp. and Cunninghamella bertholletiae was cultured. Bacteriological culture revealed the presence of Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans. This case represents the first documentation of zygomycosis associated with C. bertholletiae in a marine mammal.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Abdo
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Applied Biological Science, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
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Abdo W, Kawachi T, Sakai H, Fukushi H, Kano R, Shibahara T, Shirouzu H, Kakizoe Y, Tuji H, Yanai T. Disseminated mycosis in a killer whale (Orcinus orca). J Vet Diagn Invest 2011; 24:211-8. [DOI: 10.1177/1040638711416969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematological findings in a female killer whale ( Orcinus orca) undergoing rehabilitation after sudden severe anorexia revealed continuing increases in serum lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase activities as well as fibrinogen concentration. Serologic evidence of herpesvirus infection and skin vesicles were detected 2 weeks into the treatment regimen of antibiotics and corticosteroids. The whale showed signs of improvement after treatment with anti-herpesvirus drugs, but sudden severe anorexia reappeared, along with marked elevation of fibrinogen concentration that continued until the death. Postmortem examination revealed multiple light tan foci of necrosis in the skeletal and cardiac muscles, and lung consolidation. Microscopic findings indicated disseminated fungal granulomas in the skeletal and cardiac muscles, as well as myocarditis, mycotic embolic thromboarteritis of cardiac blood vessels, and bronchopneumonia with numerous typical Aspergillus-like fungi. Mucor-like structures in granulomas in the heart and skeletal muscle and Aspergillus-like fungi in the lungs were identified using periodic acid–Schiff, Gomori methenamine silver stain, and immunohistochemistry. The present case involves dual infection with Mucor and Aspergillus species in a killer whale with concurrent herpesvirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walied Abdo
- Laboratories of Veterinary Pathology (Abdo, Kawachi, Sakai, Tuji, Yanai)
- Veterinary Microbiology (Fukushi), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Nihon University, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa, Japan (Kano)
- National Institute of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan (Shibahara)
- Taiji Whale Museum, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan (Shirouzu)
| | - Takeshi Kawachi
- Laboratories of Veterinary Pathology (Abdo, Kawachi, Sakai, Tuji, Yanai)
- Veterinary Microbiology (Fukushi), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Nihon University, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa, Japan (Kano)
- National Institute of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan (Shibahara)
- Taiji Whale Museum, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan (Shirouzu)
| | - Hiroki Sakai
- Laboratories of Veterinary Pathology (Abdo, Kawachi, Sakai, Tuji, Yanai)
- Veterinary Microbiology (Fukushi), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Nihon University, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa, Japan (Kano)
- National Institute of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan (Shibahara)
- Taiji Whale Museum, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan (Shirouzu)
| | - Hideto Fukushi
- Laboratories of Veterinary Pathology (Abdo, Kawachi, Sakai, Tuji, Yanai)
- Veterinary Microbiology (Fukushi), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Nihon University, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa, Japan (Kano)
- National Institute of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan (Shibahara)
- Taiji Whale Museum, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan (Shirouzu)
| | - Rui Kano
- Laboratories of Veterinary Pathology (Abdo, Kawachi, Sakai, Tuji, Yanai)
- Veterinary Microbiology (Fukushi), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Nihon University, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa, Japan (Kano)
- National Institute of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan (Shibahara)
- Taiji Whale Museum, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan (Shirouzu)
| | - Tomoyuki Shibahara
- Laboratories of Veterinary Pathology (Abdo, Kawachi, Sakai, Tuji, Yanai)
- Veterinary Microbiology (Fukushi), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Nihon University, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa, Japan (Kano)
- National Institute of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan (Shibahara)
- Taiji Whale Museum, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan (Shirouzu)
| | - Hiroshi Shirouzu
- Laboratories of Veterinary Pathology (Abdo, Kawachi, Sakai, Tuji, Yanai)
- Veterinary Microbiology (Fukushi), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Nihon University, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa, Japan (Kano)
- National Institute of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan (Shibahara)
- Taiji Whale Museum, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan (Shirouzu)
| | - Yuko Kakizoe
- Laboratories of Veterinary Pathology (Abdo, Kawachi, Sakai, Tuji, Yanai)
- Veterinary Microbiology (Fukushi), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Nihon University, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa, Japan (Kano)
- National Institute of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan (Shibahara)
- Taiji Whale Museum, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan (Shirouzu)
| | - Hajime Tuji
- Laboratories of Veterinary Pathology (Abdo, Kawachi, Sakai, Tuji, Yanai)
- Veterinary Microbiology (Fukushi), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Nihon University, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa, Japan (Kano)
- National Institute of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan (Shibahara)
- Taiji Whale Museum, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan (Shirouzu)
| | - Tokuma Yanai
- Laboratories of Veterinary Pathology (Abdo, Kawachi, Sakai, Tuji, Yanai)
- Veterinary Microbiology (Fukushi), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Nihon University, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa, Japan (Kano)
- National Institute of Animal Health, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan (Shibahara)
- Taiji Whale Museum, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan (Shirouzu)
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Beineke A, Siebert U, Wohlsein P, Baumgärtner W. Immunology of whales and dolphins. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2009; 133:81-94. [PMID: 19700205 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2009.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2009] [Revised: 05/08/2009] [Accepted: 06/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The increasing disease susceptibility in different whale and dolphin populations has led to speculation about a possible negative influence of environmental contaminants on the immune system and therefore on the health status of marine mammals. Despite current efforts in the immunology of marine mammals several aspects of immune functions in aquatic mammals remain unknown. However, assays for evaluating cellular immune responses, such as lymphocyte proliferation, respiratory burst as well as phagocytic and cytotoxic activity of leukocytes and humoral immune responses have been established for different cetacean species. Additionally, immunological and molecular techniques enable the detection and quantification of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in lymphoid cells during inflammation or immune responses, respectively. Different T and B cell subsets as well as antigen-presenting cells can be detected by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Despite great homologies between marine and terrestrial mammal lymphoid organs, some unique anatomical structures, particularly the complex lymphoepithelial laryngeal glands in cetaceans represent an adaptation to the marine environment. Additionally, physiological changes, such as age-related thymic atrophy and cystic degeneration of the "anal tonsil" of whales have to be taken into account when investigating these lymphoid structures. Systemic morbillivirus infections lead to fatalities in cetaceans associated with generalized lymphoid depletion. Similarly, chronic diseases and starvation are associated with a loss of functional lymphoid cells and decreased resistance against opportunistic infections. There is growing evidence for an immunotoxic effect of different environmental contaminants in whales and dolphins, as demonstrated in field studies. Furthermore, immunomodulatory properties of different persistent xenobiotics have been confirmed in cetacean lymphoid cells in vitro as well as in animal models in vivo. However, species-specific differences of the immune system and detoxification of xenobiotics between cetaceans and laboratory rodents have to be considered when interpreting these toxicological data for risk assessment in whales and dolphins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Beineke
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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Naota M, Shimada A, Morita T, Kimura K, Ochiai K, Sano A. Granulomatous Pericarditis Associated with Systemic Mucormycosis in a Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides). J Comp Pathol 2009; 140:64-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2008.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2008] [Revised: 09/03/2008] [Accepted: 09/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Siebert U, Tolley K, Víkingsson GA, Olafsdottir D, Lehnert K, Weiss R, Baumgärtner W. Pathological findings in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Norwegian and Icelandic waters. J Comp Pathol 2006; 134:134-42. [PMID: 16527299 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2005.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2005] [Accepted: 09/06/2005] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
A study of 37 by-caught harbour porpoises from Icelandic and Norwegian waters showed that most were in good or moderate nutritional condition and none was severely emaciated. Mild infection with lungworms (Halocercus invaginatus, Pseudalius inflexus, Torynurus convolutus) was found in 84% of the Icelandic and 91% of the Norwegian animals, usually associated with bronchopneumonia which was rarely severe. Most (91%) of the animals had parasites in the stomach and intestine (Anisakis simplex, Contracaecum osculatum, Pholeter gastrophilus), and Campula oblonga was present in the liver and pancreas of 88 and 21%, respectively. Oesophagitis, gastritis, cholangitis, pericholangitis, pancreatitis and lymphadenitis were almost exclusively associated with parasitic infection and usually mild. Bacterial isolates were obtained from 50 to 55% of the animals but were not considered to be clinically significant. There was no indication of morbillivirus infection. Icelandic and Norwegian animals showed a thicker blubber layer and a lower incidence of severe lesions, especially in the respiratory tract, as compared with reports of by-caught animals from the Baltic Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Siebert
- Forschungs- und Technologiezentrum Westküste, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, 25761 Buesum, Germany
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11
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Jauniaux T, Petitjean D, Brenez C, Borrens M, Brosens L, Haelters J, Tavernier T, Coignoul F. Post-mortem findings and causes of death of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded from 1990 to 2000 along the coastlines of Belgium and Northern France. J Comp Pathol 2002; 126:243-53. [PMID: 12056772 DOI: 10.1053/jcpa.2001.0547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Between the years 1990 and 2000, an attempt was made to determine the causes of death of 55 harbour porpoises stranded along the Belgian and northern French coasts. From 1990 to 1996, only five carcasses were collected as against seven in 1997, eight in 1998, 27 in 1999 and eight in 2000. The sex ratio was normal and most of the animals were juvenile. The most common findings were emaciation, severe parasitosis and pneumonia. A few cases of fishing net entanglement were observed. The main microscopical lesions were acute pneumonia, massive lung oedema, enteritis, hepatitis and gastritis. Encephalitis was observed in six cases. No evidence of morbillivirus infection was detected. Pneumonia was associated with bacteria or parasites, or both. The causes of death and the lesions were similar to those previously reported in other countries bordering the North Sea. The cause of the increased numbers of carcasses in 1999 was unclear but did not include viral epizootics or net entanglement. A temporary increase in the porpoise population in the southern North Sea may have been responsible.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Jauniaux
- Department of Pathology, Veterinary College, Liège, B43, 4000, Belgium
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12
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Miller WG, Padhye AA, van Bonn W, Jensen E, Brandt ME, Ridgway SH. Cryptococcosis in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii. J Clin Microbiol 2002; 40:721-4. [PMID: 11826007 PMCID: PMC153393 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.40.2.721-724.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2001] [Accepted: 10/11/2001] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the first case of cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii in a male Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). The dolphin showed clinical signs of tachypnea, transient dyspnea, and mild tachycardia and developed multiple hyperechoic nodules, parenchymal consolidation, and thickening of pleura. A diagnosis of bronchopneumonia with pleuritis was made. Itraconazole therapy was implemented for 120 days, and trough levels in serum were within or above the suggested therapeutic range. Titers of cryptococcal antigen in serum increased eightfold during therapy, and the case had a fatal outcome. Necropsy examination findings included enlarged pulmonary lymph nodes and extensive coalescing granulomatous lesions throughout both lungs. Histologic examination revealed numerous, spherical to ellipsoidal, mucicarmine-positive, 3- to 14-microm, encapsulated, budding cells consistent with C. neoformans. Culture of the lung tissue yielded colonies of C. neoformans. The isolate was urease positive and nitrate negative and exhibited phenoloxidase activity. It was positive on canavanine-glycine-bromothymol blue agar. When tested by the Iatron serodiagnostic reagent kit (Iatron Laboratories, Inc.), it was shown to belong to serotype B.
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Affiliation(s)
- W George Miller
- Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego, California 92152, USA
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Siebert U, Wünschmann A, Weiss R, Frank H, Benke H, Frese K. Post-mortem findings in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from the German North and Baltic Seas. J Comp Pathol 2001; 124:102-14. [PMID: 11222006 DOI: 10.1053/jcpa.2000.0436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Between 1991 and 1996, necropsies were performed on 445 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), in various states of preservation, stranded on German coasts or accidentally caught by German fishermen. The animals originated from the North and Baltic Seas, and 133 were considered suitable for histopathological, immunohistochemical and microbiological examination. Most of the lesions in these 133 porpoises were caused by parasites, in particular in the respiratory tract, two-thirds of the animals exhibiting pneumonia associated with the parasites. Pneumonia was considered to be the cause of death in 46% of the stranded subadult and adult animals. The findings gave no evidence of any epidemic due to bacterial or viral infection. Bacteriological examination suggested that pneumonia was mainly caused by secondary bacterial infection and not by parasitic infestation alone. Beta-haemolytic streptococci were considered to be the main infectious agents. Morbillivirus antigen was not detected immunohistochemically.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Siebert
- Institut für Veterinär-Pathologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 96, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Müller G, Siebert U, Wünschmann A, Artelt A, Baumgärtner W. Immunohistological and serological investigation of morbillivirus infection in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from the German Baltic and North Sea. Vet Microbiol 2000; 75:17-25. [PMID: 10865149 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1135(00)00209-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The role of morbillivirus infection as a cause of disease or death in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from the German North and Baltic Sea was investigated by serology, histology and immunohistochemistry. Blood and tissue samples of lung, brain and lymph nodes from 74 stranded or by-caught harbour porpoises from German waters were collected between 1991 and 1997. According to dentinal growth layers and body length, animals were grouped into four age classes (neonates, 0-1, 1-4, 4-16 years of age). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were stained by hematoxylin and eosin (HE). Immunohistology was done in all lung tissues using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique and a polyclonal canine distemper virus (CDV) nucleoprotein-specific antibody, which cross-reacts with porpoise morbillivirus (PMV) antigen. A virus neutralization assay for detection of (Onderstepoort-strain) CDV- and PMV-specific antibodies was performed. Due to the cytotoxicity of some sera, only titres of 1:20 or greater were considered positive. PMV or CDV-specific neutralizing antibody titres were found in 88 and 50% of the animals, respectively. Titres were always highest against PMV indicating infection with a homologous porpoise virus strain. There were no significant differences in neutralizing antibody titres between animals of the different age groups. No histological lesions specific for morbillivirus infection were detected and by immunohistology all cases were negative for morbillivirus antigen. The absence of morbillivirus antigen and the lack of characteristic morbillivirus-specific lesions showed that morbillivirus infection was not a cause of death or illness in the investigated population. However, the high incidence of PMV-specific antibodies in all age groups indicated a continuous spread of infection with a morbillivirus among harbour porpoises from the German Baltic and North Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Müller
- Institut für Veterinär-Pathologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 96, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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