Neuropathologic Findings in Cetaceans Stranded in Italy (2002–14)

Pintore, Maria Domenica; Mignone, Walter; Guardo, Giovanni Di; Mazzariol, Sandro; Ballardini, Marco; Florio, Caterina Lucia; Goria, Maria; Romano, Angelo; Caracappà, S.; Giorda, Federica; Serracca, Laura; Pautasso, Alessandra; Tittarelli, Claudia Marcela; Petrella, A.; Lucifora, Giuseppe; Nocera, Fabio Di; Uberti, Barbara Ďegli; Corona, Cristiano; Casalone, Cristina; Iulini, Barbara

doi:10.7589/2017-02-035

Cited by 25 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…For instance, some studies reported only bacterial infections [ 85 ], and others considered viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic processes altogether [ 4 ]. Nonetheless, when most studies from other geographical areas are scrutinized our data show similar or higher prevalence of infectious disease [ 4 , 12 , 79 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

“…A glioblastoma multiforme was observed in an adult male Atlantic spotted dolphin [ 29 ]. CNS neoplasia is rare in cetaceans [ 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 ]. A live-stranded adult male pigmy sperm whale had CNS pathology suggestive of spongy myelinopathy with features resembling those observed in ammonia toxicity, endogenous metabolic toxicity (hepatic and renal encephalopathy), mitochondrial and idiopathic encephalopathies [ 82 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pathologic findings and causes of death of stranded cetaceans in the Canary Islands (2006-2012)

et al. 2018

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This study describes the pathologic findings and most probable causes of death (CD) of 224 cetaceans stranded along the coastline of the Canary Islands (Spain) over a 7-year period, 2006–2012. Most probable CD, grouped as pathologic categories (PCs), was identified in 208/224 (92.8%) examined animals. Within natural PCs, those associated with good nutritional status represented 70/208 (33.6%), whereas, those associated with significant loss of nutritional status represented 49/208 (23.5%). Fatal intra- and interspecific traumatic interactions were 37/208 (17.8%). Vessel collisions included 24/208 (11.5%). Neonatal/perinatal pathology involved 13/208 (6.2%). Fatal interaction with fishing activities comprised 10/208 (4.8%). Within anthropogenic PCs, foreign body-associated pathology represented 5/208 (2.4%). A CD could not be determined in 16/208 (7.7%) cases. Natural PCs were dominated by infectious and parasitic disease processes. Herein, our results suggest that between 2006 and 2012, in the Canary Islands, direct human activity appeared responsible for 19% of cetaceans deaths, while natural pathologies accounted for 81%. These results, integrating novel findings and published reports, aid in delineating baseline knowledge on cetacean pathology and may be of value to rehabilitators, caregivers, diagnosticians and future conservation policies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathologic findings and causes of death of stranded cetaceans in the Canary Islands (2006-2012)

et al. 2018

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“…Endoparasites were preserved in 70% alcohol for microscopic identification, according to established morphological characteristics [45,46]. Coronal sections from different brain regions (telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, pons, cerebellum, medulla) [47], as well as from all major organs, were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 4 μm, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and finally examined under a light microscope.…”

Section: Necropsy and Diagnostic Investigationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of Brucella ceti in striped dolphins from Italian Seas

et al. 2020

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Brucella ceti infections have been increasingly reported in cetaceans, although a very limited characterization of Mediterranean Brucella spp. isolates has been previously reported and relatively few data exist about brucellosis among cetaceans in Italy. To address this gap, we studied 8 cases of B. ceti infection in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded along the Italian coastline from 2012 to 2018, investigated thanks to the Italian surveillance activity on stranded cetaceans. We focused on cases of stranding in eastern and western Italian seas, occurred along the Apulia (N = 6), Liguria (N = 1) and Calabria (N = 1) coastlines, through the analysis of gross and microscopic findings, the results of microbiological, biomolecular and serological investigations, as well as the detection of other relevant pathogens. The comparative genomic analysis used whole genome sequences of B. ceti from Italy paired with the publicly available complete genomes. Pathological changes consistent with B. ceti infection were detected in the central nervous system of 7 animals, showing non-suppurative meningoencephalitis. In 4 cases severe coinfections were detected, mostly involving Dolphin Morbillivirus (DMV). The severity of B. ceti-associated lesions supports the role of this microbial agent as a primary neurotropic pathogen for striped dolphins. We classified the 8 isolates into the common sequence type 26 (ST-26). Whole genome SNP analysis showed that the strains from Italy clustered into two genetically distinct clades. The first clade comprised exclusively the isolates from Ionian and Adriatic Seas, while the second one included the strain from the Ligurian Sea and those from the Catalonian coast. Plotting these clades onto the geographic map suggests a link between their phylogeny and topographical distribution. These results represent the first extensive characterization of B. ceti isolated from Italian

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“…Infectious and inflammatory processes are among the most common causes of central nervous system involvement in stranded cetaceans (1)(2)(3). Meningoencephalitis of known infectious etiology can be caused by either bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoans (4).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%