Chronic Meningoencephalitis Associated with Brucella sp. Infection in Live-stranded Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba)

González, Lorenzo; Patterson, I. A. P.; Reid, Robert J.; Foster, Geoffrey; Barberán, M.; Blasco, J.M.; Kennedy, S.; Howie, Fiona; Godfroid, Jacques; MacMillan, Alastair; Schock, A.; Buxton, D.

doi:10.1053/jcpa.2001.0535

Cited by 67 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The dolphins' neurologic lesions were similar to those described previously in an infected S. coeruleoalba dolphin (13). This fi nding calls attention to possible increased susceptibility of this species to neurobrucellosis.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Histopathologic examination of the central nervous system was performed on only the 6 dolphins from which Brucella organisms were isolated; tissues examined were spinal cord, medulla oblongata, cerebellum, pons, thalamic area, and the occipital and frontal cortices of the cerebrum. The most common and relevant histopathologic fi ndings demonstrated meningoencephalitis ( Figure 2) and were similar to those previously described (13). The predominant feature was nonsuppurative meningitis, which was more severe in the spinal cord, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum and somewhat more moderate and mild in the cerebral cortices.…”

supporting

confidence: 80%

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Neurobrucellosis in Stranded Dolphins, Costa Rica

Hernández-Mora¹,

González-Barrientos²,

Morales³

et al. 2008

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

125

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Ten striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba, stranded along the Costa Rican Pacifi c coast, had meningoencephalitis and antibodies against Brucella spp. Brucella ceti was isolated from cerebrospinal fl uid of 6 dolphins and 1 fetus. S. coeruleoalba constitutes a highly susceptible host and a potential reservoir for B. ceti transmission. Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of terrestrial and marine mammals. During the past 3 decades, contacts between cetaceans and humans have increased worldwide (1), augmenting the risk for transmission of pathogenic Brucella spp. from these animals to people (2). Indeed, Brucella marine strains are capable of infecting humans and livestock (3,4). The StudyFrom August 2004 through April 2007, 10 live striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba (3 female adults, 2 female juveniles, 1 female calf, 4 juvenile males), were found stranded in populated areas at the Pacifi c shoreline of the Puntarenas Province of Costa Rica. All animals had swimming problems compatible with neurologic disorders and died within 48 hours of being found. Corpses were kept on ice and transported to the Pathology Unit, Veterinary School, National University, Costa Rica, for sampling; necropsy; and histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and serologic studies. With exception of 1 dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima, these 10 dolphins were the only cetaceans we were able to examine during this 32-month period.Because marine Brucella spp. have been reported to cause intracerebral infections (3), we decided to perform immunohistochemical and serologic tests. For these tests, rabbit immunoglobulin (Ig) G anti-B. abortus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was produced and isolated as described elsewhere (5). Antibodies against dolphin Steno bredanensis IgG were produced in rabbits, purifi ed according to described protocols (6). Both rabbit antibodies were linked to fl uorescein isothiocyanate and peroxidase and were assayed by using immunofl uorescent and Western blot techniques, respectively (5,7). Rose Bengal agglutination test, immunofl uorescent assays, and competitive ELISA were designed and used as described (8,9).Blood was collected from the live dolphins in situ, serum was obtained, and physical and chemical examinations were performed, followed after death by necropsies and gross pathologic and histopathologic studies. Tissues were fi xed in formalin, embedded in paraffi n wax, sectioned, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (10). Organs and tissues of 5 adult females and 1 juvenile male were analyzed for bacteria (11); however, no samples for bacteriologic studies were available from the other dolphins that were stranded before July 2006. Identifi cation of the bacterial isolates was performed according to standard protocols (11,12). Fresh tissue impressions or pellets from supernatants of macerated tissues were fi xed with cold 3% paraformaldehyde for 15 min on ice and subjected to immunofl uorescence for detection of Brucella spp. (9). Genotyping of Brucella isolates was performed by PCR, using 5′-GGCTGATCTCGCAAAGAT-3′ an...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

supporting

confidence: 80%

Neurobrucellosis in Stranded Dolphins, Costa Rica

Hernández-Mora¹,

González-Barrientos²,

Morales³

et al. 2008

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

125

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…(Gonzá lez et al, 2002;Jepson, 2006;Muň oz et al, 2006;Dagleish et al, 2007;Herná ndez-Mora et al, 2008;Davison et al, 2009;Guzmá n-Verri et al, 2012). To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed report of B. ceti-associated CNS and musculoskeletal pathology in a shortbeaked common dolphin.…”

mentioning

confidence: 70%

“…has been isolated from the central nervous system of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Europe, notably Spain, the UK, and Costa Rica (Gonzá-lez et al, 2002;Jepson, 2006;Muň oz et al, 2006;Hernández-Mora et al, 2008;Davison et al, 2009). Striped dolphins appear more susceptible to severe B. ceti-associated, central nervous system (CNS) lesions (González-Barrientos et al, 2010;Guzmán-Verri et al, 2012). Brucella spp.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Meningoencephalitis and Arthritis Associated with Brucella ceti in a Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

Davison

Barnett

Perrett

et al. 2013

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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ABSTRACT:Brucella species infection in marine mammal species has been reported to have a global distribution. In 2007, the description of Brucella ceti was published and formally adopted for those isolates originating from cetaceans and pathologic lesions similar to those seen in terrestrial mammals infected with Brucella spp. have been associated with its isolation. Brucella ceti infection specific to the central nervous system has been described in two species of cetacean: striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in Europe and Costa Rica and an Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) in the UK. We describe the first report, to our knowledge, of B. ceti-associated meningitis and arthritis in a third species, the shortbeaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), in an animal that stranded in the UK.

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“…as well as Crassicauda sp. nematodes have the potential for significant adverse impacts on population abundance by increasing natural mortality and/or by negatively affecting reproduction (Perrin and Powers, 1980;Miller et al, 1999;González et al, 2002;). The question arises whether heavily exploited populations such as Peru's small odontocetes may suffer a leveraged, not simply additive, impact on its conservation status through an interaction of fisheries-related sources of mortality and morbidity with natural sources.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%