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Title: TOXOPLASMA GONDII, NEOSPORA CANINUM, SARCOCYSTIS NEURONA, AND SARCOCYSTIS CANIS-LIKE INFECTIONS IN MARINE MAMMALS

Author
item Dubey, Jitender
item ZARNKE, R - ALASKA DEPT OF FISH&GAME
item THOMAS, N - DEPT OF INTERIOR,GEOLOGIC
item WONG, S - US NAVY MARINE MAMMAL PRO
item VAN BONN, W - US NAVY MARINE MAMMAL PRO
item BRIGGS, M - BROOKFIELD ZOO
item DAVIS, J - US FISH&WILDLIFE SERVICE
item EWING, R - DEPT OF COMMERCE,NOAA
item MENSE, M - DEPT OF VET PATHOLOGY
item Kwok, Oliver
item ROMAND, S - LAB DE LA TOXOPLASMOSE
item THULLIEZ, P - LAB DE LA TOXOPLASMOSE

Submitted to: Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/18/2003
Publication Date: 8/20/2003
Citation: Dubey, J.P., Zarnke, R., Thomas, N.J., Wong, S.K., Van Bonn, W., Briggs, M., Davis, J.W., Ewing, R., Mensea, M., Kwok, O.C.H., Romand S., Thulliez, P. 2004. Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis neurona, and Sarcocystis canis-like infections in marine mammals. Veterinary Parasitology. 116:275-296.

Interpretive Summary: Infections with the single celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii can cause serious illness in humans and domestic animals. Recently, it has been found to cause mortality in sea otters in California. Sea otters are endangered species in United States waters. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and the United States Wildlife Service have found antibodies to T. gondii in many species of marine mammals. These findings will be of interest to wildlife veterinarians, biologist, and parasitologists.

Technical Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis neurona, and Sarcocystis canis are related protozoans that can cause mortality in many species of domestic and wild animals. Recently, T. gondii and S. neurona were recognized to cause encephalitis in marine mammals. As yet, there is no report of natural exposure of N. caninum in marine mammals. In the present study, antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum were assayed in sera of several species of marine mammals. For T. gondii, sera were diluted 1:25, 1:50, and 1:500 and assayed in the T. gondii modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies (MAT ' 1:25) to T. gondii were found in 89 of 115 (77%) dead, and 18 of 30 (60%) apparently healthy sea otters (Enhydra lutris), 51 of 311 (16%) Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), 19 of 45 (42%) sea lions (Zalophus californianus), 5 of 32 (16%) ringed seals (Phoca hispida), 4 of 8 (50%) bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus), 1 of 9 (11.1%) spotted seals (Phoca largha), 138 of 141 (98%) Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and 3 of 53 (6%) walruses (Odobenus rosmarus). For N. caninum, sera were diluted 1:40, 1:80, 1:160, and 1:320 and examined with the Neospora agglutination test (NAT) using mouse-derived tachyzoites. NAT antibodies were found in 3 of 53 (6%) walruses, 28 of 145 (19%) sea otters, 11 of 311 (3.5%) harbor seals, 1 of 27 (3.7%) sea lions, 4 of 32 (12.5%) ringed seals, 1 of 8 (12.5%) bearded seals, and 43 of 47 (91%) bottlenose dolphins. To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. caninum antibodies in any marine mammal, and the first report of T. gondii antibodies in walruses and in ringed, bearded, spotted, and ribbon seals. Current information on T. gondii-like and Sarcocystis-like infections in marine mammals is reviewed. New cases of clinical S. canis and T. gondii infections are also reported in sea lions, and T. gondii infection in an Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus).