Brucella Infection Investigation in Cetaceans and Manatees in Northeast Brazil

Author(s):Show less -

Sousa, Glaucia Pereira ^{[1, 2]} ; Soares, Rodrigo Martins ^[1] ; Gomes Borges, Joao Carlos ^{[3, 4]} ; Domingos Brito, Ana Paula ^[5] ; Ribeiro Oliveira, Daniella Carvalho ^[1] ; Faita, Thalita ^[1] ; Niemeyer Attademo, Fernanda Loffler ^{[5, 6]} ; Luna, Fabia de Oliveira ^[2] ; Matias Oliveira, Radan Elvis ^{[6, 7]} ; Alves Freitas, Carlos Ibere ^[7] ; Vergara-Parente, Jociery Einhardt ^[3] ; Keid, Lara Borges ^[8]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Dept Med Vet Prevent & Saude Anim, BR-13635900 Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

^[2] Inst Chico Mendes Conservacao Biodiversidade, Ctr Nacl Pesquisa & Conservacao Mamiferos Aquat, BR-11050031 Santos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Fundacao Mamiferos Aquat, BR-52051305 Recife, PE - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Paraiba, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Monitoramento Ambiental, BR-58297000 Rio Tinto, Paraiba - Brazil

^[5] Inst Chico Mendes Conservacao Biodiversidade, Ctr Nacl Pesquisa & Conservacao Biodiversidade Ma, BR-53900000 Ilha De Itamaraca, PE - Brazil

^[6] Univ Estado Rio Grande do Norte, Projeto Cetaceos Costa Branca, BR-59080590 Natal, RN - Brazil

^[7] Univ Fed Rural Semi Arido, Programa Posgrad Ciencia Anim, BR-59625900 Mossoro, RN - Brazil

^[8] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Zootecnia & Engn Alimentos, Dept Med Vet, BR-13635900 Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH; v. 33, n. 3, p. 125-132, SEP 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Among the bacterial infections that impair the health status of marine mammals, those caused by Brucella spp. are the most reported worldwide. Brucella infections in marine mammals can result in acute or chronic disease and are associated with variable clinical outcomes, depending on the organ involved during the infectious process, infection route, host immunity, and strain pathogenicity. Asymptomatic infections may also occur. The current study expands the investigation of Brucella infection in northeast Brazil by analyzing 19 dead, stranded cetaceans and 52 Antillean manatees Trichechus manatus manatus. The manatees included 8 dead, captive manatees and 44 live specimens, of which 10 were analyzed only after reintroduction into the wild as part of a rehabilitation program, 9 were analyzed both while in captivity or semi-captivity and after reintroduction, 20 were sampled only in captivity or semi-captivity, and 5 were free-living manatees. Serological tests were used to screen for antibodies against smooth Brucella spp. Whole blood, swabs, and tissue samples were screened for Brucella spp. DNA by PCR. Samples with positive PCR results were cultured for Brucella spp. isolation. All manatees yielded negative results in serological and molecular tests. Brucella spp. DNA was detected in the kidney of one adult Guiana dolphin Sotalia guianensis exhibiting necrosis in the liver. No growth of Brucella spp. was observed via microbiological culturing. This study is the first report of Brucella spp. DNA detection in cetaceans in the state of Pernambuco, and it highlights the importance of conducting systematic monitoring for the presence of Brucella infection in marine mammals along the Brazilian coast, especially in the northeast region, where several cases have been reported. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/19760-6 - Health evaluation of Brazilian sirenians (Trichechus inunguis and Trichechus manatus manatus)
• Grantee: Rodrigo Martins Soares
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants