Identification of a Novel Mycoplasma Species in a Patient With Septic Arthritis of the Hip and Seal Finger

Westley, Benjamin; Horazdovsky, Ryan D.; Michaels, Dina L.; Brown, Daniel R.

doi:10.1093/cid/civ875

Cited by 9 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…KP292569) obtained from a patient with 'seal nger' and infected hip joint. He previously hunted and harvested ringed seals without protective gloves in an area where Mycoplasma infected seals were noticed before [34]. For universal detection of mycoplasmas the highly speci c and sensitive PCR assay of van Kuppenveld was used based on the conserved region of the 16S gene [26].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, seal lice (eight batches of 15 specimens) from the grey seal were found positive for A. phagocytophilum and seal lice from three harbour seals were found positive for a single species of Mycoplasma. Comparison of partial 16S sequence indicated that the Mycoplasma species found in the seal lice pools of the habour seals was identical to a Mycoplasma isolate from an Alaska Native man who suffered from disseminated seal nger mycoplasmosis [34].…”

Section: Seal Lice and Vector-borne Pathogensmentioning

confidence: 94%

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The Seal Louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: Investigation of Vector-Borne Pathogens and Morphological Adaptations

Hirzmann

Ebmer

Contreras³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Belonging to the anopluran family Echinophthiriidae, Echinophthirius horridus, the seal louse, has been reported to parasitize a broad range of representatives of phocid seals. So far, only few studies focused on vector function of echinophthiriid lice and knowledge on their role in pathogen transmission is still scarce. The current study aims to investigate the role of E. horridus in vector-borne diseases of seals in the Dutch Wadden Sea and to attribute to its morphological features of environmental adaptation.Methods: More than 1200 E. horridus seal lice were collected from 54 harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and one grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) during their rehabilitation period in the Sealcentre Pieterburen, the Netherlands. DNA was extracted from pooled seal lice of individual seals for molecular detection of the seal heartworm Acanthocheilonema spirocauda, the rickettsial intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Mycoplasma spp. using PCR assays. In addition E. horridus-adult and -eggs were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Results: Seal lice from 35% of the harbour seals (19/54) and from the grey seal proved positive for A. spirocauda. The seal heartworm was molecularly characterised and phylogenetically analysed for the first time (rDNA, cox1). A nested PCR was developed for the cox1 gene to detect A. spirocauda stages in seal lice. A. phagocytophilum and a Mycoplasma species previously identified from a patient with disseminated ‘seal finger’ mycoplasmosis were detected the first time in seal lice. SEM analyses of E. horridus-adults and -eggs brought out more clearly unique morphological features, such as ‘lock-like’ claws, setae-covered cuticle as well as vaulted nit lids carrying micropyles for respiration, which all demonstrate the adaption of this ectoparasite to its semiaquatic host and the marine environment.Conclusions: Our findings support the vector role of seal lice in transmission of A. spirocauda, Mycoplasma spp. and A. phagocytophilum and presented more detailed images of their morphological adaptations to the semiaquatic lifestyle of their hosts. As the vector-borne pathogens might have detrimental effects on the health of seal populations further epidemiological investigations on infections due to these pathogens in seals should be conducted.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Seal Lice and Vector-borne Pathogensmentioning

confidence: 94%

The Seal Louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: Investigation of Vector-Borne Pathogens and Morphological Adaptations

Hirzmann

Ebmer

Contreras³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…KP292569) obtained from a patient with 'seal nger' and infected hip joint. The patient previously hunted and harvested ringed seals (Phoca hispida) without protective gloves in an area where Mycoplasma infected seals were noticed before [31].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Comparison of partial 16S sequence indicated that the Mycoplasma species found in the seal lice pools of the habour seals was identical to a Mycoplasma sp. from an Alaska Native hunter, who suffered from disseminated seal nger mycoplasmosis [31].…”

Section: Phylogenetic Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The seal louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: investigation of vector-borne pathogens 

Hirzmann

Ebmer

Contreras³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Belonging to the anopluran family Echinophthiriidae, Echinophthirius horridus, the seal louse, has been reported to parasitize a broad range of representatives of phocid seals. So far, only few studies focused on vector function of echinophthiriid lice and knowledge on their role in pathogen transmission is still scarce. The current study aims to investigate the possible vector role of E. horridus parasitizing seals in the Dutch Wadden Sea.Methods: More than 1200 E. horridus seal lice were collected from 54 harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and one grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) during their rehabilitation period in the Sealcentre Pieterburen, the Netherlands. DNA was extracted from pooled seal lice of individual seals for molecular detection of the seal heartworm Acanthocheilonema spirocauda, the rickettsial intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Mycoplasma spp. using PCR assays.Results: Seal lice from 35% of the harbour seals (19/54) and from the grey seal proved positive for A. spirocauda. The seal heartworm was molecularly characterised and phylogenetically analysed for the first time (rDNA, cox1). A nested PCR was developed for the cox1 gene to detect A. spirocauda stages in seal lice. A. phagocytophilum and a Mycoplasma species previously identified from a patient with disseminated ‘seal finger’ mycoplasmosis were detected the first time in seal lice. Conclusions: Our findings support the potential vector role of seal lice in transmission of A. spirocauda, and reveal new insights into the spectrum of pathogens occurring in seal lice. As these pathogens might have detrimental effects on the health of seal populations further epidemiological investigations on infections due to these pathogens in seals should be conducted.

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“…Transfer of bacterial pathogens by biting is not uncommon. A well-known example among people interacting with seals is the 'seal finger' (also known as sealer's finger or spekk finger), in which a seal bite to the hands becomes infected, very likely by Mycoplasma [12][13][14][15], although species like Bisgaardia have been indicated as well [16]. Also, a genetically distinct variant of Neisseria animaloris was isolated from skin abscesses, lungs and other organs of several stranded harbour porpoises with traumatic injury inflicted by grey seals [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

After the bite: bacterial transmission from grey seals ( Halichoerus grypus ) to harbour porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena )

et al. 2020

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Recent population growth of the harbour porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena ), grey seal ( Halichoerus grypus ) and common seal ( Phoca vitulina ) in the North Sea has increased potential interaction between these species. Grey seals are known to attack harbour porpoises. Some harbour porpoises survive initially, but succumb eventually, often showing severely infected skin lesions. Bacteria transferred from the grey seal oral cavity may be involved in these infections and eventual death of the animal. In humans, seal bites are known to cause severe infections. In this study, a 16S rRNA-based microbiome sequencing approach is used to identify the oral bacterial diversity in harbour porpoises, grey seals and common seals; detect the potential transfer of bacteria from grey seals to harbour porpoises by biting and provide insights in the bacteria with zoonotic potential present in the seal oral cavity. β-diversity analysis showed that 12.9% (4/31) of the harbour porpoise skin lesion microbiomes resembled seal oral microbiomes, while most of the other skin lesion microbiomes also showed seal-associated bacterial species, including potential pathogens. In conclusion, this study shows that bacterial transmission from grey seals to harbour porpoises by biting is highly likely and that seal oral cavities harbour many bacterial pathogens with zoonotic potential.

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Identification of a Novel Mycoplasma Species in a Patient With Septic Arthritis of the Hip and Seal Finger

Cited by 9 publications

References 11 publications

The Seal Louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: Investigation of Vector-Borne Pathogens and Morphological Adaptations

The Seal Louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: Investigation of Vector-Borne Pathogens and Morphological Adaptations

The seal louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: investigation of vector-borne pathogens

After the bite: bacterial transmission from grey seals ( Halichoerus grypus ) to harbour porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena )

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Identification of a Novel Mycoplasma Species in a Patient With Septic Arthritis of the Hip and Seal Finger

Cited by 9 publications

References 11 publications

The Seal Louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: Investigation of Vector-Borne Pathogens and Morphological Adaptations

The Seal Louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: Investigation of Vector-Borne Pathogens and Morphological Adaptations

The seal louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: investigation of vector-borne pathogens&nbsp;

After the bite: bacterial transmission from grey seals ( Halichoerus grypus ) to harbour porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena )

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The seal louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: investigation of vector-borne pathogens