A risk-management approach to a mycotic disease potential in captive beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas)

Young, Skip J.F.; Huff, David G.; Stephen, Craig

doi:10.1002/(sici)1098-2361(1999)18:1<5::aid-zoo3>3.0.co;2-w

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…Environmental air samples, obtained outdoors throughout an aquarium with cases of Aspergillus fumigatus in their collection of beluga whales were positive for Mucor spp. (Young et al, 1999). The ubiquitous nature and small size of Mucorales sporangiospores allows them to remain airborne for prolonged periods, which can increase the exposure risk.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Animals in captive aquatic facilities may be at increased risk because fungi are known to contaminate wet environments even after disinfection, the animals live in close contact with each other and share husbandry staff, food preparation areas, and ambient air (Young et al, 1999;Barnett et al, 2011). In humans, patients with hematological malignancies, immunosuppression, diabetes, and chronic corticosteroid therapy are at risk for disseminated infection caused by mucormycosis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk factor determination and qualitative risk assessment of Mucormycosis in Harbor Porpoise, an emergent fungal disease in Salish Sea marine mammals

Norman¹,

Huggins

Lambourn

et al. 2022

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Mucorales infections are increasing in frequency and are a One Health pathogen of concern. In humans and domestic animals, risk factors include being immunocompromised, elevated circulating serum iron, contaminated open wounds, or metabolic diseases such as ketoacidosis or uncontrolled diabetes. Mucormycosis was first identified in 2012 in Pacific Northwest marine mammals, predominantly in harbor porpoises. We performed an assessment to determine the overall qualitative risk, or risk score, of mucormycosis in harbor porpoises. Risk factors for this disease are unknown in aquatic mammals. In a separate risk factor analysis, potential risk factors such as pollutants, trace metals (e.g., iron), and co-infection with other pathogens (e.g., viruses and Brucella spp.) were examined in mucormycosis cases and noncases using a matched case-control study design, to determine the presence and strength of association of these factors with mucormycosis. Disease severity (gross and histopathology) and exposure scores were multiplied together to obtain the overall risk scores of 9 -16 which corresponded to moderate and severe, respectively. In the risk factor analysis, the factors most strongly associated with a mucormycosis case, relative to a control, were elevated liver iron, decreased blubber thickness, and the decreased ratio of the sum of PCB congeners/sum of PBDE congeners. The results of this study suggest that mucormycosis may pose an inordinately high risk to harbor porpoises (and potentially sympatric species in the Salish Sea such as southern resident killer whales) based on the detected prevalence and the severity of lesions observed at necropsy. However, the risk may be greater on an individual basis compared to the overall population, and is likely related to other factors such as increased POP and heavy metal burdens.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factor determination and qualitative risk assessment of Mucormycosis in Harbor Porpoise, an emergent fungal disease in Salish Sea marine mammals

Norman¹,

Huggins

Lambourn

et al. 2022

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Pathogens in the Sea: An Overview

Munn

Oceans and Health: Pathogens in the Marine Environment

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Lagenorhynchus Obliquidens)

Robeck

Dalton²

2002

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine

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During a 10-yr period, a killer whale (Orcinus orca), two Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), and two bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), all housed at SeaWorld of Texas from 1991 to 2001, were infected with fungi from the class Zygomycetes. In four out of five cases, the fungi were identified as either Saksenaea vasiformis or Apophysomyces elegans. All fungi in the class Zygomycetes aggressively invade the vascular system. Death occurred within 23 days after the initial clinical signs. The primary site of infection involved the s.c. tissue and skeletal musculature. In one case, infection originated in the placenta and uterus of a periparturient animal. All cases exhibited systemic spread of the organisms, including two to the central nervous system. The fifth and most recent case, a bottlenose dolphin, was treated with liposomal nystatin, an antifungal formulation with reduced nephrotoxicity. This animal initially responded to therapy; however, 14 days after cessation of therapy, fungal growth reoccurred. Thus, the animal was euthanatized 39 days after the initial clinical signs. This drug represents a promising treatment option if combined with early disease detection and aggressive tissue resection.

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A risk-management approach to a mycotic disease potential in captive beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas)

Cited by 3 publications

References 4 publications

Risk factor determination and qualitative risk assessment of Mucormycosis in Harbor Porpoise, an emergent fungal disease in Salish Sea marine mammals

Risk factor determination and qualitative risk assessment of Mucormycosis in Harbor Porpoise, an emergent fungal disease in Salish Sea marine mammals

Pathogens in the Sea: An Overview

Lagenorhynchus Obliquidens)

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