Infection with Brucella ceti and high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in south-west England

Davison, N. J. , Perrett, L. L., Law, R. J., Dawson, C. E., Stubberfield, E. J., Monies, R. J., Deaville, R. and Jepson, P. D. (2011) Infection with Brucella ceti and high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in south-west England. Veterinary Record, 169(1), (doi: 10.1136/vr.d2714) (PMID:21676987)

Abstract

Eight bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that stranded in Cornwall, south-west England, between June 2004 and December 2007 were examined using standardised postmortem examination and bacteriological methods. Evidence of Brucella species infection was found in four of these dolphins on culture. In addition, of the eight dolphins, four were positive and two were weakly positive for antibodies to Brucella species on serological analyses of pericardial and other fluids using a competitive ELISA and two indirect ELISAs. High or very high levels of the sum of 25 individual chlorobiphenyl congeners (∑25CBs) were also determined in blubber samples from two of the dolphins (45.5 and 446.6 mg/kg lipid weight).

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Postmortem investigations and toxicological analyses were carried out under the aegis of the UK CSIP, which is funded by Defra and the UK’s devolved administrations as part of the UK Government’s commitment to a number of international conservation agreements.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Davison, Mr Nick
• Authors: Davison, N. J., Perrett, L. L., Law, R. J., Dawson, C. E., Stubberfield, E. J., Monies, R. J., Deaville, R., and Jepson, P. D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Veterinary Record
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0042-4900
• ISSN (Online): 2042-7670