IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA IN BLOOD CULTURES FROM CLINICALLY ILL CAPTIVE ANTILLEAN MANATEES (TRICHECHUS MANATUS MANATUS)

Abstract

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.

Hematology and Clinical Biochemistry Profiles in Antillean Manatee Trichechus manatus manatus from Different Types of Captivity and Free Living in Northeast Brazil

“…4.6-6.7 4.6-6.3 4.2-6.8 4.6-6.9 3.6-4.7 4.4-6.1 4.1-4.6 3.7-4. Brazil is very close to the equatorial region and characterized by very stable average temperatures throughout the year; thus, seasonal temperature fluctuations that can contribute to a different load of microbes or even algae in the water during different seasons of the year (Silva et al 2017) may not decisively influence the physiology of Antillean manatees or even their immune cell profiles.…”

“…Sample collection.-From each manatee, two blood samples were collected by brachial venipuncture in the interosseous space of the radius and ulna into Vacutainer tubes (BD, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey): one sample consisted of 4 mL collected in tubes with anticoagulant (10% EDTA), and the other sample consisted of 10 mL collected in tubes without anticoagulant. At the time of harvesting, antisepsis was first performed at the puncture site using 70% alcohol-soaked cotton followed by 80% Lugolsoaked cotton (Silva 2017). Blood and platelet counts were performed immediately after sample collection by using blood collected in tubes containing the anticoagulant.…”

Migration of retrobulbar wooden foreign body between diagnostic imaging and surgical extraction in a German shepherd dog

“…It has been identified in a cow with a polymicrobial infection that succumbed to respiratory distress . It has also been reported in an Antillean manatee blood culture, a bull shark oral cavity, a milk sample from a cow with mastitis, and a hen's eggshell surface . Of those reports, the other clinically ill animal was the Antillean manatee .…”

“…[17][18][19][20] Of those reports, the other clinically ill animal was the Antillean manatee. 17 A second culture was taken when the seroma dehisced and was negative for any growth. Even with the seroma complication, the dog healed well.…”

“…It has also been reported in an Antillean manatee blood culture, a bull shark oral cavity, a milk sample from a cow with mastitis, and a hen's eggshell surface . Of those reports, the other clinically ill animal was the Antillean manatee . A second culture was taken when the seroma dehisced and was negative for any growth.…”