LESIONS ASSOCIATED WITH Orthohalarachne attenuata (Halarachnidae) IN THE NORTHERN FUR SEAL (Callorhinus ursinus)

Dunlap, Jack S.; Piper, R. C.; Keyes, Mark C.

doi:10.7589/0090-3558-12.1.42

Cited by 12 publications

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“…However, risk factors for infestation, mite-associated lesions, and potential co-morbidities are less well characterized. Diverse clinical signs and lesions have been reported in respiratory mite-infested pinnipeds, including sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, mucosal inflammation and hyperplasia, turbinate erosion, pneumonia, edema, and emphysema (Dunlap et al, 1976; Kim et al, 1980; Fay and Furman, 1982; Baker, 1987; Alonso-Farré et al, 2012). Infested northern fur seals exhibited chronic respiratory mucosal inflammation and congestion, mucosal hyperplasia or erosion, mononuclear and eosinophilic inflammation, bronchiolar and pulmonary edema, pulmonary fibrosis, and pneumonia (Kim et al, 1980).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also noted were a defined set of lesions or postmortem conditions that could potentially be related to mite infestation, based on previously published reports (Kenyon et al, 1965; Dunlap et al, 1976; Kim et al, 1980; Fay and Furman, 1982; Alonso-Farré et al, 2012). These included grossly apparent upper respiratory (nostril-larynx) conditions, such as mucopurulent exudate, nasal discharge, erythematous nasopharyngitis, and turbinate lysis.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Caribbean monk seal ( Monachus tropicalis ) hosted its own species of respiratory mite, which went extinct with its host (Furman and Dailey, 1980). Respiratory mite infestation has also been reported in Weddell ( Leptonychotes weddellii ), gray ( Halichoeris grypus ), elephant ( Mirounga angustirostrus ), harbor ( Phoca vitulina ), and spotted seals ( Phoca largha ), and less commonly, sea otters ( Enhydra lutris ) (Ferris, 1925; Newell, 1947; King, 1964; Kenyon et al, 1965; Dailey and Brownell, 1972; Domrow, 1974; Dunlap et al, 1976; Fay and Furman, 1982; Pesapane et al, 2018 in review).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pathology and epidemiology of nasopulmonary acariasis (Halarachne sp.) in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

Dent

Miller

Batac

et al. 2019

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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Halarachne sp. nasal mites infest harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) in California, but little is known about the pathophysiology of these infestations, or risk factors for exposure. To investigate these questions, a retrospective case-control study was performed using necropsy data from 70 mite-infested sea otters, and 144 non-infested controls. Case records for sea otters examined by pathologists from February 1999 through May 2015 were examined to assess risk factors for infestation, and lesions associated with nasopulmonary acariasis. Animals with a history of captive care within 10 days of death or carcass recovery were 3.2 times more likely to be infested with nasopulmonary mites than those with no history of recent rehabilitation. Sea otters stranding within 1 km of Elkhorn Slough in Monterey Bay were 4.9 times more likely to be infested with nasal mites than other areas; this site is characterized by high sea otter contact with sympatric harbor seals (a common host for Halarachne sp.), and a comparatively large population of rehabilitated and released sea otters. Aged adult otters were 9.4 times more likely to be infested than younger animals, and sea otters with nasopulmonary acariasis were 14.2 times more likely to have upper respiratory inflammation than un-infested animals. Additional findings in otters with nasopulmonary acariasis included lower respiratory tract bacterial infections, presence of medium-sized and/or fresh nose wounds at necropsy (indicators of recent face-to-face interaction between otters during copulation or fighting), and turbinate bone erosion. Our findings, although preliminary, suggest that captive rehabilitation and close contact with harbor seals could facilitate nasopulmonary mite transmission to sea otters. We also identified a high-risk zone for nasopulmonary acariasis in sea otters. We also provide preliminary data to suggest that nasopulmonary mite infestations can cause significant respiratory pathology in sea otters.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pathology and epidemiology of nasopulmonary acariasis (Halarachne sp.) in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

Dent

Miller

Batac

et al. 2019

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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“…Of particular importance is assessing potential sub-lethal threats that could contribute to morbidity and mortality. One potential threat is invasion of the respiratory tract by nasopulmonary mites, because these parasites can cause tissue damage and respiratory illness ( Kenyon et al., 1965 ; Dunlap et al., 1976 ; Kim et al., 1980 ; Baker, 1987 ; Alonso-Farré et al., 2012 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mites known to parasitize the respiratory tracts of marine mammals encompass two genera of the family Halarachnidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) ( Mullen and O'Connor, 2002 ): Orthohalarachne mites are commonly associated with fur seals (Otariidae) and walrus (Odobenidae), whereas Halarachne mites are typically found in earless seals (Phocidae) but have been reported in non-pinnipeds, including northern sea otters ( Enhydra lutris kenyoni ) ( Domrow, 1962 ; Kenyon et al., 1965 ). Mites of both genera can cause respiratory illness, including sinusitis, sneezing, coughing, facial pruritus, head shaking, pneumonia, edema, and lung congestion ( Dunlap et al., 1976 ; Baker, 1987 ; Alonso-Farré et al., 2012 ). In a sample of necropsied southern sea otters, nasopulmonary mite burden was reportedly mild (<10 mites) to heavy (>50 mites), and sea otter infestation was significantly associated with upper respiratory inflammation, aged adult age class, captive care within 10 days of death, and stranding near a large brackish slough that was heavily utilized by sympatric sea otters and harbor seals (Shockling-Dent et al., submitted to IJPPAW).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular characterization and prevalence of Halarachne halichoeri in threatened southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

Pesapane

Dodd

Javeed

et al. 2018

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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Parasitism, particularly in concert with other sublethal stressors, may play an important, yet underappreciated role in morbidity and mortality of threatened species. During necropsy of southern sea otters (Enhydra lutra nereis) from California submitted to the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center's Sea Otter Necropsy Program between 1999 and 2017, pathologists occasionally observed nasopulmonary mites infesting the respiratory tracts. Infestation was sometimes accompanied by lesions reflective of mite-associated host tissue damage and respiratory illness. Our objectives were to estimate prevalence of nasopulmonary mites, determine the taxonomic identity of the observed mites, and create a DNA reference for these organisms in southern sea otters as an aid in population management. Using unique morphological characteristics discerned via light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we identified the mites as Halarachne halichoeri, a species typically associated with harbor seals (Phoca vitiluna). The 18S, 16S, 28S and ITS1-2 genetic regions were sequenced and submitted to GenBank. We observed H. halichoeri mites in 25.6% (95% CI 19.9–33.4%). of southern sea otters from a subset of necropsies performed between 2012 and 2017. This is the first documentation of H. halichoeri in southern sea otters and is suggestive of parasite exchange between sea otters and harbor seals.

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Nasopulmonary mites (Halarachnidae) of coastal Californian pinnipeds: Identity, prevalence, and molecular characterization

Pesapane

Archibald

Norris

et al. 2021

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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Mites from the family Halarachnidae Oudemans 1906 are obligate endoparasites that colonize the respiratory tracts of free-living and captive marine mammals. Infestations can range from mild to severe and result in respiratory tract irritation or impairment. Nasopulmonary acariasis was determined to be a contributing cause of death among several southern sea otters Enhydra lutris nereis Merriam 1904 in a longitudinal study of otter mortality, and proximity to Pacific harbor seals Phoca vitulina richardii Gray 1864 was a significant risk factor for sea otter infestation. Beyond scattered opportunistic reports, each halarachnid mite species' affinity for particular hosts and the extent of mite transmission between host species is poorly understood. We investigated the identity and prevalence of nasopulmonary mites from Pacific harbor seals, California sea lions Zalophus californianus Lesson 1828, northern elephant seals Mirounga angustirostris Gill 1866, northern fur seals Callorhinus ursinus Linnaeus 1758, and Guadalupe fur seals Arctocephalus philippii townsendi Merriam 1897 to complement published nasopulmonary mite findings from sympatric southern sea otters during a comparable timeframe. Halarachnid mite infestation was common among California sea lions (74.1%), northern fur seals (73.3%), and northern elephant seals (46.6%), but was less common among harbor seals (18.7%) and Guadalupe fur seals (8.8%). Observed host-mite relationships suggest a distinct host specificity, with genus Orthohalarachne infesting otariids, and genus Halarachne infesting phocids and lutrinids along the California coast. Harbor seals and southern sea otters were the primary hosts of H. halichoeri , but one nothern elephant seal was infested with both H. miroungae and a single H. halichoeri. We also present the first high-resolution SEM images for H. miroungae and O. attenuata and possible evidence for a new host record for H. halichoeri .

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LESIONS ASSOCIATED WITH Orthohalarachne attenuata (Halarachnidae) IN THE NORTHERN FUR SEAL (Callorhinus ursinus)

Abstract: Abstract:In northern fur seals (Callor/zinus ursinus) up to at least 4 years of age there is virtually 100% prevalence of infestation with the nasal mite Ortlzo/za!arac/zmze attenuata.

Cited by 12 publications

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Pathology and epidemiology of nasopulmonary acariasis (Halarachne sp.) in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

Pathology and epidemiology of nasopulmonary acariasis (Halarachne sp.) in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

Molecular characterization and prevalence of Halarachne halichoeri in threatened southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

Nasopulmonary mites (Halarachnidae) of coastal Californian pinnipeds: Identity, prevalence, and molecular characterization

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