Meningoencephalitis and arthritis associated with Brucella ceti in a short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

Davison, N. J. , Barnett, J. E. F., Perrett, L. L., Dawson, C. E., Perkins, M. W., Deaville, R. C. and Jepson, P. D. (2013) Meningoencephalitis and arthritis associated with Brucella ceti in a short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 49(3), pp. 632-636. (doi: 10.7589/2012-06-165) (PMID:23778612)

Abstract

Brucella species infection in marine mammal species has been reported to have a global distribution. In 2007, the description of Brucella ceti was published and formally adopted for those isolates originating from cetaceans and pathologic lesions similar to those seen in terrestrial mammals infected with Brucella spp. have been associated with its isolation. Brucella ceti infection specific to the central nervous system has been described in two species of cetacean: striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in Europe and Costa Rica and an Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) in the UK. We describe the first report, to our knowledge, of B. ceti–associated meningitis and arthritis in a third species, the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), in an animal that stranded in the UK.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Postmortem investigation was carried out under the aegis of the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, which is jointly funded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the UK Devolved Administrations.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Davison, Mr Nick
• Authors: Davison, N. J., Barnett, J. E. F., Perrett, L. L., Dawson, C. E., Perkins, M. W., Deaville, R. C., and Jepson, P. D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Journal of Wildlife Diseases
• Publisher: Wildlife Disease Association
• ISSN: 0090-3558
• ISSN (Online): 1943-3700