Lesions Associated With a Novel Mycoplasma Sp. In California Sea Lions (Zalophus Californianus) Undergoing Rehabilitation

Haulena, Martin; Gulland, Frances M. D.; Lawrence, Judith A.; Fauquier, Deborah; Jang, Spencer S.; Aldridge, Brian; Spraker, Terry R.; Thomas, Loris A.; Brown, Daniel R.; Wendland, Lori D.; Davidson, Maureen K.

doi:10.7589/0090-3558-42.1.40

Cited by 28 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Mycoplasma spp. are thought to be part of normal pinniped oral flora and infection is associated with skin wounds, abscesses, polyarthritis, and lymphadenitis, and necrotizing pneumonia in CSLs and skin wounds in gray and harbor seals (Ayling et al, 2011;Haulena et al, 2006;Lynch et al, 2011). In utero infection with M. phocicerebrale is associated with myocarditis and pneumonia and has caused abortion in Australian fur seal fetuses (Lynch et al, 2011).…”

Section: Bacteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pinnipediae

Colegrove

Burek‐Huntington²,

Roe

et al. 2018

Pathology of Wildlife and Zoo Animals

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Section: Bacteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Goldstein, T., Lowenstine, L.J., Lipscomb, T.P., Mazet, J.A., Novak, J., Stott, J.L.,Gulland, F.M., 2006. Infection with a novel gammaherpesvirus in northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Pinnipediae

Colegrove

Burek‐Huntington²,

Roe

et al. 2018

Pathology of Wildlife and Zoo Animals

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“…Mycoplasma sp. was also molecularly identi ed in collected seal lice specimens and in contrast to A. phagocytophilum there are previous reports on occurrence of mycoplasmal infection in pinnipeds [44,45,46,47,48,49]. Thus, Mycoplasma spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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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“…18 Infection with this organism was recognized as the cause of death at a rehabilitation facility of four Californian sea lions that were suffering from both severe pneumonia and pleuritis or septicemia that was secondary to septic polyarthritis. In other individuals in the same facility, M. zalophi was grown from subdermal and muscle abscesses, septic joints, and lymph nodes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mycoplasmas in Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus): identification and association with abortion

et al. 2011

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Abstract. Bacteria from the genus Mycoplasma are common inhabitants of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genital tracts of mammals. The understanding of the pathological significance of mycoplasmas in seals is poor, as few studies have utilized the specific culture techniques required to isolate these bacteria. The current study surveyed for the Mycoplasma species present in Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and investigated the association between infection and pathology. Mycoplasmas were found in the nasal cavities of 55/80 (69%) of apparently healthy individuals. Isolates from 18 individuals were investigated through 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, and 3 species were identified: M. zalophi, M. phocae, and Mycoplasma sp. (GenBank no. EU714238.1), all of which had previously been isolated from Northern Hemisphere pinnipeds. In addition, mycoplasmas were isolated from the lungs of 4 out of 16 juveniles and 1 out of 5 adults sampled at necropsy. Isolates obtained were M. zalophi, Mycoplasma sp. EU714238.1, and M. phocicerebrale, but infection was not associated with lung pathology in these age classes. Inflammatory disease processes of the heart and/or lungs were present in 12 out of 32 (38%) aborted fetuses on microscopic examination. Predominant findings were interstitial pneumonia, pericarditis, and myocarditis. Mycoplasma phocicerebrale was isolated from the thymus of an aborted fetus, and 3 out of 11 (27%) fetuses with inflammatory heart or lung lesions were PCR-positive for Mycoplasma. In conclusion, several species of Mycoplasma are part of the normal flora of the nasal cavity of Australian fur seals, and some mycoplasmas may be associated with abortion in this species of seal.

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Lesions Associated With a Novel Mycoplasma Sp. In California Sea Lions (Zalophus Californianus) Undergoing Rehabilitation

Cited by 28 publications

References 20 publications

Pinnipediae

Pinnipediae

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

Mycoplasmas in Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus): identification and association with abortion

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