Between September 2001 and March 2013, 62 bacterial cultures (37 aerobic and 25 anaerobic) were performed on 37 blood samples from 23 Antillean manatees ( Trichechus manatus manatus) that were kept in captivity at the Brazilian National Center for Research and Conservation of Aquatic Mammals (CMA) in Pernambuco (CMA-PE) and Alagoas (CMA-AL), Brazil. All of the animals sampled exhibited clinical signs at the time of sampling including abscesses (n = 8), debilitation and anorexia (n = 22), and profound lethargy-moribundity (n = 7). The 4 animals with profound lethargy-moribundity died shortly after sampling of unknown causes. Bacteria were isolated from 15/37 (40.5%) and aerobic blood cultures from 13/23 animals (56.5%). None of the anaerobic cultures were positive. Aeromonas caviae , Aeromonas hydrophila , Aeromonas sp., Escherichia coli , Leclercia adecarboxylata , Pantoea agglomerans , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Pseudomonas stutzeri , Pseudomonas sp., Sphingomonas paucimobilis , coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis were each found in only one animal; Staphylococcus spp. was found in two; and Vibrio fluvialis in four. Thirteen samples had only one bacteria isolated, one sample had two bacteria, and one sample had three bacteria isolated. Regarding sex, age group, and origin among the manatees examined, 54.5% (6/11) of the females, 58.3% (7/12) of the males, 40% (2/5) of the calves, 66.7% (8/12) of the juveniles, 50% (3/6) of the adults, 55.5% (10/18) at CMA-PE, and 60% (3/5) at CMA-AL were found to be positive for bacterial growth during at least one sampling time. All Antillean manatees were clinically ill. Regarding clinical signs, bacteria were found in 50% (11/22) of blood samples of the animals showing debilitation and anorexia, 1 of 8 (12.5%) of blood samples of the animals showing abscesses, and 3 of 7 (42.9%) of blood samples of the animals showing profound lethargy-moribundity.
Antillean manatees ( Trichechus manatus manatus) are aquatic mammals that inhabit marine waters from Central America to the northeastern region of Brazil, and they are an endangered species. Infection with Toxoplasma gondii through intake of water or food contaminated with oocysts has been reported among marine mammals. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii in West Indian manatees living in captivity in northeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 55 West Indian manatees from three different captive groups were tested for T. gondii antibodies by means of the modified agglutination test using a cutoff of 1:25. The samples were screened at dilutions of 1:25, 1:50, and 1:500, and positive samples were end-titrated using twofold serial dilutions; antibodies were found in six Antillean manatees (10.9%) with titers of 1:50 in three, 1:500 in one, 1:3,200 in one, and 1:51,200 in one manatee. This study is the first report of T. gondii antibodies in captive Antillean manatees in Brazil.
O peixe-boi-marinho (Trichechus manatus) é um dos mamíferos aquáticos mais ameaçados de extinção do Brasil. A reabilitação e soltura dos filhotes resgatados no litoral do nordeste tem sido uma das principais medidas de conservação para a espécie. Foi realizado o relato de caso de um filhote de peixe-boi resgatado pelo Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, que após alimentação com mistura láctea hiperlipídica contendo óleo mineral, passou a apresentar alterações de flutuabilidade e edemaciação da região ventral. Foram realizados exames hematológicos, comportamentais e de imagem no animal. A tomografia computadorizada indicou uma pneumonia lipoide exógena. Para a descrição do caso, foram utilizados os prontuários clínicos da instituição. O protocolo terapêutico preconizado foi realizado em conjunto com o acompanhamento clínico e, sempre que necessário readequado conforme a evolução do quadro. Durante o tratamento, foram fornecido antibioticoterapia, antiinflamatório, polivitamínicos, probióticos, além da alimentação láctea. Após o tratamento terapêutico, o quadro apresentou involução dos achados clínicos e o animal voltou as condições normais, voltando a fazer parte do plantel de soltura de peixes-bois da instituição. Após este caso clínico, foi suspensa na instituição a adição de óleo de origem mineral na alimentação dos animais, pois considerou-se que este fator pode ter sido um agravo ao caso. Este relato documenta as alterações clínicas, diagnóstico e tratamento adotado para a doença em peixe-boi-marinho.
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