Fatal disseminated Toxoplasma gondii infection in a captive harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

Herder, V. , van de Velde, N., Højer Kristensen, J., van Elk, C., Peters, M., Kilwinski, J., Schares, G., Siebert, U. and Wohlsein, P. (2015) Fatal disseminated Toxoplasma gondii infection in a captive harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Journal of Comparative Pathology, 153(4), pp. 357-362. (doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2015.08.004) (PMID:26381675)

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Abstract

A 7-year-old female harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), born and held in captivity, suffered from reduced consciousness, imprecise and circling swimming movements and long phases of immobility over a period of 3 weeks. The animal died during treatment in a Danish open sea facility. Pathological examination revealed multifocal pyogranulomatous to necrotizing meningoencephalomyelitis, ganglioneuritis, plexus chorioiditis, myocarditis, hepatitis and adrenalitis with few intralesional protozoal tachyzoites and bradyzoites within cysts. Immunohistochemistry was positive for Toxoplasma gondii antigen within the lesions. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the presence of T. gondii-specific genome fragments was confirmed. A multilocus PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using nine unlinked marker regions (nSAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico) resulted in the identification of T. gondii type II (variant Apico Type I), which is the T. gondii genotype dominating in Germany. This is the first description of disseminated fatal toxoplasmosis in a captive harbour porpoise that lived in an open sea basin. Surface water contaminated with toxoplasma oocysts is regarded as the most likely source of infection.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Herder, Dr Vanessa
Authors: Herder, V., van de Velde, N., Højer Kristensen, J., van Elk, C., Peters, M., Kilwinski, J., Schares, G., Siebert, U., and Wohlsein, P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
Journal Name:Journal of Comparative Pathology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0021-9975
ISSN (Online):1532-3129
Published Online:14 September 2015

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