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An atypical genotype of Toxoplasma gondii as a cause of mortality in Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori).
- Source :
-
Veterinary parasitology [Vet Parasitol] 2013 Feb 18; Vol. 192 (1-3), pp. 67-74. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Nov 12. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) are a small endangered coastal species that are endemic to New Zealand. Anthropogenic factors, particularly accidental capture in fishing nets, are believed to be the biggest threat to survival of this species. The role of infectious disease as a cause of mortality has not previously been well investigated. This study investigates Toxoplasma gondii infection in Hector's dolphins, finding that 7 of 28 (25%) dolphins examined died due to disseminated toxoplasmosis, including 2 of 3 Maui's dolphins, a critically endangered sub-species. A further 10 dolphins had one or more tissues that were positive for the presence of T. gondii DNA using PCR. Genotyping revealed that 7 of 8 successfully amplified isolates were an atypical Type II genotype. Fatal cases had necrotising and haemorrhagic lesions in the lung (n=7), lymph nodes (n=6), liver (n=4) and adrenals (n=3). Tachyzoites and tissue cysts were present in other organs including the brain (n=5), heart (n=1), stomach (n=1) and uterus (n=1) with minimal associated inflammatory response. One dolphin had a marked suppurative metritis in the presence of numerous intra-epithelial tachyzoites. No dolphins had underlying morbillivirus infection. This study provides the first evidence that infectious agents could be important in the population decline of this species, and highlights the need for further research into the route of entry of T. gondii organisms into the marine environment worldwide.<br /> (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Adrenal Glands parasitology
Adrenal Glands pathology
Animals
Brain parasitology
Endangered Species
Female
Genotype
Heart parasitology
Liver parasitology
Liver pathology
Lung parasitology
Lung pathology
Lymph Nodes parasitology
Lymph Nodes pathology
Male
New Zealand epidemiology
Polymerase Chain Reaction veterinary
Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
Seasons
Stomach parasitology
Toxoplasma genetics
Toxoplasmosis, Animal parasitology
Uterus parasitology
Dolphins parasitology
Toxoplasma isolation & purification
Toxoplasmosis, Animal mortality
Toxoplasmosis, Animal pathology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1873-2550
- Volume :
- 192
- Issue :
- 1-3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Veterinary parasitology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23207018
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.11.001