Isolation and characterization of Brucella from the lungworms of a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

Dawson, C. E., Perrett, L. L., Stubberfield, E. J., Stack, J. A., Farrelly, S. S. J., Cooley, W. A., Davison, N. J. and Quinney, S. (2008) Isolation and characterization of Brucella from the lungworms of a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 44(2), pp. 237-246. (doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-44.2.237) (PMID:18436657)

Abstract

Adult female nematodes identified as Pseudalius inflexus were collected from the lungs of a juvenile male harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) found dead on a beach in Cornwall, UK. Classic and molecular typing methods, immunologic and electron microscopy immunolabeling techniques, provided evidence of Brucella sp. infection within the uterine tissue of nematodes of this marine mammal. This finding presents further evidence to suggest parasites should be considered as a potential means of transfer of bacterial infection in marine mammals and highlights the zoonotic implications for humans exposed to marine mammals through occupation or leisure.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: We would like to thank C. Marins, CITA, Spain for supplying the common dolphin isolate F5/06 used in this study. We also thank Defra (Ministry of the UK parliament) for funding this work.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Davison, Mr Nick
• Authors: Dawson, C. E., Perrett, L. L., Stubberfield, E. J., Stack, J. A., Farrelly, S. S. J., Cooley, W. A., Davison, N. J., and Quinney, S.
• 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