Neurobrucellosis due to Brucella ceti ST26 in three Sowerby's beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens)

Davison, N. J. , Brownlow, A. , Ten Doeschate, M. , Dale, E.-J., Foster, G., Muchowski, J., Perrett, L. L., Rocchi, M., Whatmore, A. M. and Dagleish, M. P. (2021) Neurobrucellosis due to Brucella ceti ST26 in three Sowerby's beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens). Journal of Comparative Pathology, 182, pp. 1-8. (doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2020.10.005) (PMID:33494901)

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Abstract

Fatal meningoencephalitis due to Brucella ceti infection has been described in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), Atlantic white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus acutus), short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), which are all within the family Delphinidae. We report B. ceti-associated neurobrucellosis in three juvenile male Sowerby's beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens) that all had typical lesions of lymphocytic meningoencephalitis, which increased in severity from rostral to caudal regions of the brain. In two cases there was loss of ependymal cells lining the cerebral ventricular system, with large numbers of lymphocytes in the underlying neuropil. This finding suggests that B. ceti gains access to, and multiplies in, the cerebrospinal fluid, and confirms that this is the sample of choice for bacteriological recovery of the causative organism. These findings expand the increasing range of cetaceans susceptible to neurobrucellosis to members of the family Ziphiidae.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:ten Doeschate, Mariel and Davison, Mr Nick and Brownlow, Dr Andrew and Dagleish, Dr Mark
Authors: Davison, N. J., Brownlow, A., Ten Doeschate, M., Dale, E.-J., Foster, G., Muchowski, J., Perrett, L. L., Rocchi, M., Whatmore, A. M., and Dagleish, M. P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Journal of Comparative Pathology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0021-9975
ISSN (Online):1532-3129
Published Online:24 November 2020

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