Lagenorhynchus Obliquidens)

Abstract

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.

Candida albicansandC. tropicalisIsolates from the Expired Breathes of Captive Dolphins and Their Environments in an Aquarium

“…[27], Trichosporn sp. [1–3], and zygomycetes, [28–30] which are common to human fungal infections, have also been documented as causative agents for pulmonary, disseminated and cutaneous fungal infections in the animals [1–3]. Highly pathogenic mycoses caused by Coccidioides immitis [31], Histoplasma capsulatum [32], and Blastomyces dermatitidis [33] have also been reported.…”

Mucormicosys due to Saksenaea vasiformis in a dog

“…However, all the reported cases in the veterinary literature (including the present one) had their lesions in the skin and soft tissue, and developed a disseminated infection [12], [13], [14], [18].…”

“…In addition, S. vasiformis complex contributed only in 5% of the cases [18]. Considering these figures and the cases of mucormycosis reported in the veterinary literature, reports of infections in animals due to S. vasiformis species complex are scarce [6], [12], [13], [14]. The question is if infections due to S. vasiformis are certainly uncommon, or if the lack of sporulation on a variety of common media such as SDA, PDA, water agar [19] or Lactrimel, may negatively contribute in the correct identification of this fungus.…”

“…Diazepam was administered to the cow to allow it to nurse the calf but, a week later, some ulcerated lesion and vesicles appeared on the dorsal and right lateral side of the calf. Despite supplemental feeding, the calf died 7 days after the first lesions were observed [13]. The second reported was in 2002, were 2 cases of infection of marine mammals were documented in USA.…”

“…One of them was a pregnant 14-year-old killer whale that presented elevated total white blood cells and neutrophilia. Eleven days after those signs, the whale began to exhibit lethargy and slight inappetence, 13 days after onset of the initial clinical sings the animal died during labor [13]. The other one corresponded to a bottlenose dolphin.…”