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Bernaldo de Quirós Y, Fernandez A, Baird RW, Brownell RL, Aguilar de Soto N, Allen D, Arbelo M, Arregui M, Costidis A, Fahlman A, Frantzis A, Gulland FMD, Iñíguez M, Johnson M, Komnenou A, Koopman H, Pabst DA, Roe WD, Sierra E, Tejedor M, Schorr G. Advances in research on the impacts of anti-submarine sonar on beaked whales. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 286:20182533. [PMID: 30963955 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mass stranding events (MSEs) of beaked whales (BWs) were extremely rare prior to the 1960s but increased markedly after the development of naval mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS). The temporal and spatial associations between atypical BW MSEs and naval exercises were first observed in the Canary Islands, Spain, in the mid-1980s. Further research on BWs stranded in association with naval exercises demonstrated pathological findings consistent with decompression sickness (DCS). A 2004 ban on MFASs around the Canary Islands successfully prevented additional BW MSEs in the region, but atypical MSEs have continued in other places of the world, especially in the Mediterranean Sea, with examined individuals showing DCS. A workshop held in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, in September 2017 reviewed current knowledge on BW atypical MSEs associated with MFAS. Our review suggests that the effects of MFAS on BWs vary among individuals or populations, and predisposing factors may contribute to individual outcomes. Spatial management specific to BW habitat, such as the MFAS ban in the Canary Islands, has proven to be an effective mitigation tool and mitigation measures should be established in other areas taking into consideration known population-level information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Bernaldo de Quirós
- 1 Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School , C/Transmontaña s/n, 35416, Arucas, Las Palmas , Spain
| | - A Fernandez
- 1 Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School , C/Transmontaña s/n, 35416, Arucas, Las Palmas , Spain
| | - R W Baird
- 2 Cascadia Research Collective , 218½ W. 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501 , USA
| | - R L Brownell
- 3 NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center , Monterey, CA 93940 , USA
| | - N Aguilar de Soto
- 4 BIOECOMAC. Dept. Animal Biology, Geology and Edaphology, University of La Laguna , Tenerife , Spain
| | - D Allen
- 5 US Marine Mammal Commission , 4340 East-West Highway, Suite 700, Bethesda, MD 20814 , USA
| | - M Arbelo
- 1 Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School , C/Transmontaña s/n, 35416, Arucas, Las Palmas , Spain
| | - M Arregui
- 1 Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School , C/Transmontaña s/n, 35416, Arucas, Las Palmas , Spain
| | - A Costidis
- 6 Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Stranding Response Program , 717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 , USA
| | - A Fahlman
- 7 Fundación Oceanogràfic de la Comunitat Valenciana , Gran Vía Marqués del Turia 19, 46005, Valencia , Spain
| | - A Frantzis
- 8 Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute , Terpsichoris 21, 16671 Vouliagmeni , Greece
| | - F M D Gulland
- 5 US Marine Mammal Commission , 4340 East-West Highway, Suite 700, Bethesda, MD 20814 , USA.,9 The Marine Mammal Center , 2000 Bunker Road, Sausalito, CA 94965 , USA
| | - M Iñíguez
- 10 Fundación Cethus and WDC , Cap J. Bermúdez 1598, (1636), Olivos, Prov. Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - M Johnson
- 11 Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews , St Andrews , UK
| | - A Komnenou
- 12 School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - H Koopman
- 13 Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington , Wilmington, NC 28403 , USA
| | - D A Pabst
- 13 Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington , Wilmington, NC 28403 , USA
| | - W D Roe
- 14 Massey University , Palmerston North, PN4222 , New Zealand
| | - E Sierra
- 1 Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School , C/Transmontaña s/n, 35416, Arucas, Las Palmas , Spain
| | - M Tejedor
- 15 Canary Islands Stranding Network , Irlanda 7, Playa Blanca, 35580, Lanzarote , Spain
| | - G Schorr
- 16 Marine Ecology & Telemetry Research , 2468 Camp McKenzie Tr NW, Seabeck, WA 98380 , USA
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Mackie JT, Blyde D, Harris L, Roe WD, Keyburn AL. Brucellosis associated with stillbirth in a bottlenose dolphin in Australia. Aust Vet J 2020; 98:92-95. [PMID: 32030727 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
A captive adult female bottlenose dolphin presented with stillbirth. The placenta appeared oedematous. No other gross lesions were evident in the placenta or the stillborn calf. Histopathology revealed mild multifocal placentitis and foetal encephalitis. Brucella sp. was isolated from lung, liver, spleen and kidney. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated this organism to be most similar to Brucella ceti sequence type (ST) 27. Brucella sp. DNA was detected in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded placenta and brain by real-time PCR using primers targeting the IS711 gene. Immunohistochemical staining revealed Brucella sp. antigen in placental inflammation. This is the first report of isolation of Brucella sp. from a marine mammal in the Southern Hemisphere and the first report of marine Brucella-associated disease in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Mackie
- QML Vetnostics, Murarrie, Queensland, Australia
| | - D Blyde
- Sea World, Main Beach, Queensland, Australia
| | - L Harris
- QML Vetnostics, Murarrie, Queensland, Australia
| | - W D Roe
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - A L Keyburn
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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Hunt H, Fraser K, Cave NJ, Gartrell BD, Petersen J, Roe WD. Untargeted metabolic profiling of dogs with a suspected toxic mitochondrial myopathy using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Toxicon 2019; 166:46-55. [PMID: 31102596 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.05.007] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
'Go Slow myopathy' (GSM) is a suspected toxic myopathy in dogs that primarily occurs in the North Island of New Zealand, and affected dogs usually have a history of consuming meat, offal or bones from wild pigs (including previously frozen and/or cooked meat). Previous epidemiological and pathological studies on GSM have demonstrated that changes in mitochondrial structure and function are most likely caused by an environmental toxin that dogs are exposed to through the ingestion of wild pig. The disease has clinical, histological and biochemical similarities to poisoning in people and animals from the plant Ageratina altissima (white snakeroot). Aqueous and lipid extracts were prepared from liver samples of 24 clinically normal dogs and 15 dogs with GSM for untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Group-wise comparisons of mass spectral data revealed 38 features that were significantly different (FDR<0.05) between normal dogs and those with GSM in aqueous extracts, and 316 significantly different features in lipid extracts. No definitive cause of the myopathy was identified, but alkaloids derived from several plant species were among the possible identities of features that were more abundant in liver samples from affected dogs compared to normal dogs. Mass spectral data also revealed that dogs with GSM have reduced hepatic phospholipid and sphingolipid concentrations relative to normal dogs. In addition, affected dogs had changes in the abundance of kynurenic acid, various dicarboxylic acids and N-acetylated branch chain amino acids, suggestive of mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hunt
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - K Fraser
- Food Nutrition and Health Team, Food and Bio-Based Products Group, AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - N J Cave
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - B D Gartrell
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - J Petersen
- Norvet Services Ltd., Okaihau, New Zealand
| | - W D Roe
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Lenting B, Gartrell B, Kokosinska A, Duignan PJ, Michael S, Hunter S, Roe WD. Causes of adult mortality in two populations of New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri). Vet Anim Sci 2019; 7:100057. [PMID: 32734078 PMCID: PMC7386770 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2019.100057] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious disease, including tuberculosis, was the most common cause of death. Anthropogenic trauma caused 26% of deaths in mainland sea lions. Trauma inflicted by adult male conspecifics caused 24% of deaths.
The New Zealand sea lion is an endangered species endemic to New Zealand. While causes of death are well described for pups of this species, mortality in adults is poorly characterised. This study investigated causes of death in 136 New Zealand sea lions in two different populations: a major breeding site on remote, uninhabited Enderby Island in the sub-Antarctic, and a slowly increasing recolonising population on the inhabited mainland. For animals with at least a partial diagnostic investigation (n = 112), the most frequently diagnosed causes of mortality were infectious disease (41/112; 37%), particularly tuberculosis due to M. pinnipedii (20/112; 18%), and conspecific trauma (27/112; 24%). Anthropogenic trauma was an important cause of death in mainland sea lions (9/33; 26%). Deliberate anthropogenic mortality has previously been identified as the greatest potential threat to population recovery for mainland sea lions, and as human and pinniped populations increase, managing interactions between these species will become increasingly important.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Lenting
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, PN 4442, New Zealand
| | - B Gartrell
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, PN 4442, New Zealand
| | - A Kokosinska
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, PN 4442, New Zealand
| | - P J Duignan
- The Marine Mammal Centre, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA
| | - S Michael
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, PN 4442, New Zealand
| | - S Hunter
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, PN 4442, New Zealand
| | - W D Roe
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, PN 4442, New Zealand
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Hunt H, Cave NJ, Gartrell BD, Cogger N, Petersen JA, Roe WD. An epidemiological investigation of an idiopathic myopathy in hunting dogs in New Zealand. N Z Vet J 2018; 66:199-204. [PMID: 29669494 DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2018.1464974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM To conduct an epidemiological investigation of an idiopathic myopathy, known as "Go Slow" (GSM), which was initially recognised in dogs used for pig hunting. A secondary aim was to describe the hunting activities, diet and health of dogs used for pig hunting in New Zealand. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted between June 2014-June 2017. Cases of GSM in dogs were diagnosed by veterinarians using a combination of clinical history, physical examination findings, serum biochemistry and/or skeletal muscle histology. A telephone interview was conducted with the owner or primary veterinarian to provide information regarding the dog's diet and exercise over the 7 days preceding the onset of clinical signs. In August 2015, a separate online survey of owners of dogs used for pig hunting was conducted to characterise the normal hunting activities, diet and health of these dogs. RESULTS A total of 86 cases of GSM were recruited, of which 58 (67%) were pig hunting dogs, 16 (19%) pet dogs and 12 (14%) working farm dogs. Cases were most commonly reported in the upper North Island, and 65 (76 (95% CI=67-85)%) were from the Northland region. Processed commercial dog food had been fed to 93 (95% CI=88-98)% of affected dogs. Ingestion of raw, frozen or cooked wild pig in the preceding week was reported for 76 (88 (95% CI=82-95)%) dogs with the myopathy. In the survey of owners of healthy pig hunting dogs, 203 eligible responses were received; pig hunting was reported to most commonly occur in Northland (20.2%), Waikato (22.3%) and Bay of Plenty (23.2%) regions. Commercial dog food was fed to 172 (85 (95% CI=80-90)%) of the dogs included in this survey, and 55 (27 (95% CI=20-33)%) had eaten wild pig in the preceding week. The most common reported health problem in pig hunting dogs was traumatic wounds. CONCLUSIONS Cases of GSM were most commonly recognised in dogs used for pig hunting, but also occurred in pet and working farm dogs. The disease was most frequently reported in the upper North Island of New Zealand and ingestion of wild pig was a consistent feature in cases of this myopathy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE To minimise the risk of dogs developing this myopathy, it would seem prudent to avoid feeding any tissues from wild pigs to dogs in areas where the disease is known to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hunt
- a School of Veterinary Science , Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand
| | - N J Cave
- a School of Veterinary Science , Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand
| | - B D Gartrell
- a School of Veterinary Science , Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand
| | - N Cogger
- a School of Veterinary Science , Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand
| | - J A Petersen
- b Norvet Services , PO Box 80, Okaihau , Northland 0447 , New Zealand
| | - W D Roe
- a School of Veterinary Science , Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand
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Roe WD, Michael S, Fyfe J, Burrows E, Hunter SA, Howe L. First report of systemic toxoplasmosis in a New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri). N Z Vet J 2016; 65:46-50. [DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2016.1230526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- WD Roe
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - S Michael
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - J Fyfe
- Department of Conservation, PO Box 5244, Moray Place, Dunedin 9058, New Zealand
| | - E Burrows
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - SA Hunter
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - L Howe
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
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Michael SA, Howe L, Chilvers BL, Morel PCH, Roe WD. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in mainland and sub-Antarctic New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) populations. N Z Vet J 2016; 64:293-7. [DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2016.1191974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- SA Michael
- Wildbase, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - L Howe
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - BL Chilvers
- Marine Species and Threats, Department of Conservation, PO Box 10-420, Wellington, New Zealand
- Current address: Wildbase, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - PCH Morel
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - WD Roe
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
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Roe WD, Rogers L, Pinpimai K, Dittmer K, Marshall J, Chilvers BL. Septicaemia and meningitis caused by infection of New Zealand sea lion pups with a hypermucoviscous strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Vet Microbiol 2015; 176:301-8. [PMID: 25682024 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 10/31/2013] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
This study describes a syndrome of neonatal septicemia and meningitis in New Zealand sea lions, caused by a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae that is phenotypically similar to strains causing environmentally-acquired septicemia and neuro-invasive disease in humans. Between late 2006 and early 2010, 123 pups from the Enderby Island breeding colony died of K. pneumoniae infection, with lesions including fibrinous to fibrinosuppurative meningitis, subdural hemorrhage, septic arthritis, herniation and hemorrhage of the cerebellar vermis, lymphadenitis and cellulitis. This infection was responsible for 58% of observed pup mortality over this time period, with most deaths occurring in the latter part of the breeding season (mid February onwards). The results of this study suggest that the pattern of this disease has changed since it was first described in 2002, when most deaths occurred early in the season (early to mid-January), and that it is an important and consistent cause of pup mortality in this population. In addition, a similar disease syndrome and bacterial strain was diagnosed in a single pup in a fragile recolonizing New Zealand sea lion population on mainland New Zealand, and the potential effect on this population is unknown but could have a negative impact on recolonisation at this site.
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Roe
- Pathobiology Group, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
| | - L Rogers
- mEpiLab, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - K Pinpimai
- Pathobiology Group, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - K Dittmer
- Pathobiology Group, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - J Marshall
- mEpiLab, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - B L Chilvers
- Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand
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Michael SA, Chilvers BL, Roe WD, Gartrell BD. Long-term survival and reproductive success of New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) treated with ivermectin as pups. Wildl Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1071/wr15120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Hookworms (Uncinaria spp.) are a common parasite of neonatal fur seals and sea lions around the world and may contribute to decreased pup growth and survival. Removal of these parasitic burdens by administration of the anthelmintic ivermectin has been trialled in New Zealand (NZ) sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) pups at Sandy Bay, Enderby Island, with initial benefits in growth and survival reported. Long-term effects, however, are not known.
Aims
To determine the impact of ivermectin treatment administered in the first month of life, on long-term survival and fecundity in a sample of NZ sea lion pups.
Methods
For a sample of treated and control pups born between 2002 and 2004, resighting data to 2012 was assessed with the Cox proportional hazards analysis to evaluate survival to maturity and fecundity.
Key results
Sample size was a limiting factor as juvenile survival was very low, but a trend of improved survival was observed in the ivermectin-treated group. Year of birth was significant due to the effects of a bacterial epizootic in the first year of the trial. Reproductive rate was not significantly different between groups.
Conclusions
The effect of disease and parasitism on the survival of NZ sea lions is apparent, contributing to early pup mortality, with potentially wider-ranging implications for juvenile survival and beyond.
Implications
Further research is warranted to investigate anthelmintic treatment of NZ sea lion pups as a safe and effective management tool to improve survival and recruitment in declining populations.
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Roe WD, Mayhew IG, Jolly RD, Marshall J, Chilvers BL. Traumatic brain injury, axonal injury and shaking in New Zealand sea lion pups. Vet J 2014; 200:96-102. [PMID: 24565687 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.01.025] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Revised: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Trauma is a common cause of death in neonatal New Zealand sea lion pups, and subadult male sea lions have been observed picking up and violently shaking some pups. In humans, axonal injury is a common result of traumatic brain injury, and can be due to direct trauma to axons or to ischaemic damage secondary to trauma. 'Shaken baby syndrome', which has been described in human infants, is characterised by retinal and intracranial subdural haemorrhages, and has been associated with axonal injury to the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. This study identifies mechanisms of traumatic brain injury in New Zealand sea lion pups, including impact injuries and shaking-type injuries, and identifies gross lesions of head trauma in 22/36 sea lion pups found dead at a breeding site in the Auckland Islands. Despite the high frequency of such gross lesions, only three of the pups had died of traumatic brain injury. Observational studies confirmed that shaking of pups occurred, but none were shown to die as a direct result of these shaking events. Axonal injury was evaluated in all 36 pup brains using β-amyloid precursor protein immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactive axons were present in the brains of all pups examined including seven with vascular axonal injury and two with diffuse axonal injury, but the severity and pattern of injury was not reliably associated with death due to traumatic brain injury. No dead pups had the typical combination of gross lesions and immunohistochemical findings that would conform to descriptions of 'shaken baby syndrome'. Axonal injury was present in the optic nerves of most pups, irrespective of cause of death, but was associated with ischaemia rather than trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Roe
- Pathobiology Group, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
| | - I G Mayhew
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - R D Jolly
- Pathobiology Group, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - J Marshall
- mEpilab, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - B L Chilvers
- Marine Species and Threats Division, New Zealand Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand
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Lashley VD, Roe WD, Kenyon PR, Thompson KG. Perinatal lamb mortality: an assessment of gross, histological and immunohistochemical changes in the central nervous system. N Z Vet J 2014; 62:160-6. [DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2013.875980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Roe WD, Howe L, Baker EJ, Burrows L, Hunter SA. An atypical genotype of Toxoplasma gondii as a cause of mortality in Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori). Vet Parasitol 2012. [PMID: 23207018 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) are a small endangered coastal species that are endemic to New Zealand. Anthropogenic factors, particularly accidental capture in fishing nets, are believed to be the biggest threat to survival of this species. The role of infectious disease as a cause of mortality has not previously been well investigated. This study investigates Toxoplasma gondii infection in Hector's dolphins, finding that 7 of 28 (25%) dolphins examined died due to disseminated toxoplasmosis, including 2 of 3 Maui's dolphins, a critically endangered sub-species. A further 10 dolphins had one or more tissues that were positive for the presence of T. gondii DNA using PCR. Genotyping revealed that 7 of 8 successfully amplified isolates were an atypical Type II genotype. Fatal cases had necrotising and haemorrhagic lesions in the lung (n=7), lymph nodes (n=6), liver (n=4) and adrenals (n=3). Tachyzoites and tissue cysts were present in other organs including the brain (n=5), heart (n=1), stomach (n=1) and uterus (n=1) with minimal associated inflammatory response. One dolphin had a marked suppurative metritis in the presence of numerous intra-epithelial tachyzoites. No dolphins had underlying morbillivirus infection. This study provides the first evidence that infectious agents could be important in the population decline of this species, and highlights the need for further research into the route of entry of T. gondii organisms into the marine environment worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Roe
- Pathobiology Group, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, PN4222, New Zealand.
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Abstract
AIMS To identify the major diseases or disease processes affecting both captive and wild populations of takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) in birds submitted for post-mortem examination between 1992 and 2007, and to survey archived wild dead takahe for the presence of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. METHODS Reports of 199 post-mortem examinations submitted between 1992 and 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. The reports comprised 56 eggs, 51 chicks up to 6 months of age, 13 sub-adults 6-18 months old, 74 adults and five birds where age was not recorded. Bone marrow flushed from the keel of 34 frozen adult takahe was assayed for the presence of E. rhusiopathiae, using PCR analysis. RESULTS Of the eggs examined, 6/56 (11%) had no recorded diagnosis, 24/56 (43%) were infertile and 26/56 (46%) showed embryonic mortality at various stages. Excluding eggs, the cause of death could not be determined in 64/138 (46%) birds with a recorded age that were examined. Contributing factors for the low rate of diagnosis included advanced decomposition of many carcasses, the freezing of some birds prior to pathological investigation, long delays between recovery and submission for post-mortem examination, and variation in the extent of post-mortem examination and ancillary diagnostic testing. Common post-mortem examination findings in chicks included those related to cardiac disease [11/51 (22%)], infectious or inflammatory disease [9/51 (18%)] and trauma [7/51 (14%)]. In adult birds, the most common post-mortem examination findings were due to infectious or inflammatory disease [15/74 (20%)] including septicaemia due to E. rhusiopathiae [3/74 (7%)], followed by degenerative conditions due to diet, age and husbandry [9/74 (12%)]. Bacteria implicated in the causes of death included Escherichia coli, E. rhusiopathiae, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Only 1/34 (3%) of the frozen carcass examined using PCR was positive for E. rhusiopathiae. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights a need for improved recovery, storage and submission of dead takahe for pathological examination; consistency in post-mortem examination, ancillary testing and recording of findings; and finally, regular communication between wildlife pathologists, conservation workers and representatives of Ngai Tahu.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M McLelland
- New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston, North, New Zealand
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Roe WD. Assessing trauma in frozen carcasses: Freeze artefact in New Zealand fur seals. N Z Vet J 2010. [DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2010.65271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Abstract
AIM To describe an outbreak of congenital microphthalmia in Texel lambs in New Zealand. METHODS Affected eyes were fixed in 10% formol saline, processed routinely for histopathology and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Holme's silver and haematoxylin with and without luxol fast blue, and luxol fast blue alone. RESULTS Macroscopically, the globes and optic nerves were hypoplastic. Histologically, all embryonic components of the eye were present, but the lens, ciliary body, iris and retina were dysplastic. Axons of the hypoplastic optic nerve were poorly myelinated. CONCLUSIONS Congenital microphthalmia occurs in Texel sheep in New Zealand, and is likely inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Roe
- Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Abstract
CASE HISTORY A mature male tuatara was presented with a history of recurrent cloacal prolapse. CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS The prolapsed tissue included a 12 mm diameter mass, which histologically showed cords and nodules of neoplastic epithelial cells. DIAGNOSIS The mass was diagnosed as a squamous cell carcinoma with ulceration of the overlying stratified squamous epithelium and diffuse inflammation of the surrounding dermis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This case presented a rare opportunity to investigate squamous cell carcinoma in a long-lived lower vertebrate species. Future recurrence or metastasis of the mass may add useful information to the current base of knowledge of the behaviour of malignant neoplasms in reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Roe
- Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
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