HELICOBACTER CETORUM INFECTION IN STRIPED DOLPHIN (STENELLA COERULEOALBA), ATLANTIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN (LAGENORHYNCHUS ACUTUS), AND SHORT-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN (DELPHINUS DELPHUS) FROM THE SOUTHWEST COAST OF ENGLAND

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Helicobacter infection in cetaceans was first reported from the US in 2000 when the isolation of a novel Helicobacter species was described from two Atlantic white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus acutus). Since then, Helicobacter species have been demonstrated in cetaceans and pinnipeds from around the world. Since 1990, the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency Polwhele, Truro, has been involved in the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme to establish the cause of death of cetacean species stranded along the coast of Cornwall, England. We describe the isolation of Helicobacter cetorum in a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) and evidence of H. cetorum infection in cetaceans from European waters.

Osteoarthritis in two marine mammals and 22 land mammals: learning from skeletal remains

“…Among marine mammals, there have been no reports on the existence of OA in dugongs, while a few studies have noted the presence of arthritis lesions in dolphins due to bacterial infection (Davison et al 2013(Davison et al , 2014 or unknown causes (Kompanje, 1995;Watson et al 2008;Gomer ci c et al 2009). In dolphins, most arthritis lesions have been observed in the vertebrae (Kompanje, 1995;Gomer ci c et al 2009;Davison et al 2013Davison et al , 2014, while some have been found on the appendicular skeleton (Watson et al 2008). On the other hand, our exploration for OA lesions across a wide range of mammalian species revealed that the largest number of OA lesions appeared on the left humeral trochlea (13 individuals or locations or species out of 95 animals) followed by the right humeral trochlea (12 of 95 animals) and the lumbar vertebrae (nine of 109 animals).…”

“…Among marine mammals, there have been no reports on the existence of OA in dugongs, while a few studies have noted the presence of arthritis lesions in dolphins due to bacterial infection (Davison et al. , ) or unknown causes (Kompanje, ; Watson et al. ; Gomerčić et al.…”

“…; Davison et al. , ). Dolphins and dugongs, which belong to the orders Cetartiodactyla and Sirenia, live in the ocean throughout their lives, while other marine mammals such as those in the suborders Caniformia and Pinnipedia inhabit both ocean and land.…”

“…Therefore, this study aimed to survey: (i) the prevalence of OA in 24 mammals, both marine and terrestrial; and (ii) to investigate OA lesions in all diarthrodial and intervertebral joints in the body. A major objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of OA in marine mammals because of the scarcity of this information, except for a few studies that have reported on arthritis from clinical examinations or necropsies in dolphins (Kompanje, 1995;Watson et al 2008;Gomer ci c et al 2009;Davison et al 2013Davison et al , 2014. Dolphins and dugongs, which belong to the orders Cetartiodactyla and Sirenia, live in the ocean throughout their lives, while other marine mammals such as those in the suborders Caniformia and Pinnipedia inhabit both ocean and land.…”

Cetacea

“…Parasitic infections are often associated with crateriform ulcers in the nonglandular compartment of the stomach (see the parasitic disease section); however, many cases of gastritis and gastric ulceration are not attributed to helminths. Helicobacter cetorum has been identified in numerous delphinid species with gastritis (Davison et al, 2014). Histopathology reveals mild to moderate lymphoplasmacytic gastritis in the superficial mucosa of the main and pyloric compartments with superficial to deep ulcerations and occasional hemorrhage.…”