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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413807
Research Project: Intervention Strategies to Prevent and Control Viral Respiratory Pathogens of Ruminants

Location: Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research

Title: An update on the development of a bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, immune reagent toolkit

Author
item Sacco, Randy
item JENSEN, ERIC - Us Navy Marine Mammal Program Biosciences Division, Space And Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific
item SULLIVAN, YVONNE - Kingfisher Biotech, Inc
item LABRESH, JOANNA - Kingfisher Biotech, Inc
item DAVIS, WILLIAM - Washington State University

Submitted to: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/25/2024
Publication Date: 4/29/2024
Citation: Sacco, R.E., Jensen, E.D., Sullivan, Y., Labresh, J., Davis, W.C. 2024. An update on the development of a bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, immune reagent toolkit. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. Article 110769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2024.110769.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2024.110769

Interpretive Summary: For veterinary species there is a need for expansion of immunological reagents, with this especially evident for marine mammals, such as dolphins. In addition to their use in a research setting, immune assays could be employed to monitor the health status of dolphins and serve as an adjunct to available diagnostic tests. Such development of specific and sensitive immune tests will enhance the proper care and stewardship of wild and managed dolphin populations. Our goal is to provide immune reagents and tests for the research community, clinicians, and others involved in care of bottlenose dolphins. This review will provide an update on our development of a bottlenose dolphin immunological reagents. The future availability and continued development of these reagents is critical for improving wild and managed bottlenose dolphin population health through enhanced assessment of their responses to alterations in the marine environment, including pathogens, and improve our ability to monitor their status following vaccination.

Technical Abstract: There are extensive immunological reagents available for laboratory rodents and humans. However, for veterinary species there is a need for expansion of immunological toolkits, with this especially evident for marine mammals, such as cetaceans. In addition to their use in a research setting, immune assays could be employed to monitor the health status of cetaceans and serve as an adjunct to available diagnostic tests. Such development of specific and sensitive immune assays will enhance the proper care and stewardship of wild and managed cetacean populations. Our goal is to provide immune reagents and immune assays for the research community, clinicians, and others involved in care of bottlenose dolphins. This review will provide an update on our development of a bottlenose dolphin immunological toolkit. The future availability and continued development of these reagents is critical for improving wild and managed bottlenose dolphin population health through enhanced assessment of their responses to alterations in the marine environment, including pathogens, and improve our ability to monitor their status following vaccination.