BACTERIAL DISEASES

IN MARINE MAMMALS
ACTINOMYCETES
ACTINOMYCETES

Nocardiosis
 commonly reported in debilitated marine mammals
 Systemic form – involving two or more organs most frequently the lungs
and thoracic lymph nodes
 Cutaneous form – (abscesses) presented in ex situ beluga whales
identified prior to systemic spread
Arcanobacterium phocae
 implicated in pathology in stranded California sea lion, common
dolphin, gray seal, harbor seal, northern elephant seal, and sea otter.
Arcanobacterium animalium
 has been isolated from harbour porpoise.
ACTINOMYCETES

Pathologic findings
 Pneumonia, cutaneous abscessation

Diagnosis
 usually postmortem, and most affected animals present with a
systemic form of disease.
 infection may be underreported

Treatment
 Trimethoprim:Sulfadiazine (1:2) formulation plus folic acid
supplementation
BRUCELLOSIS
BRUCELLOSIS

 emergent disease in cetacean species

 Brucella ceti – cetaceans
 Brucella pinnipedialis – seals
 Clinical disease in pinnipeds appears to be less common than in
cetaceans
 disease may have an impact on conservation efforts.
 Isolated from both managed and in situ cetaceans
BRUCELLOSIS

Pathologic findings
 placentitis, orchitis, abortion, mastitis, pneumonia, subcutaneous lesions,
arthritis, meningoencephalitis, and hepatic and splenic necrosis

Transmission
 Transmission may be horizontal and vertical

Diagnosis
 ELISA tests available

Treatment
 Appropriate ATB therapy based on culture and sensitivity
CLOSTRIDIAL MYOSITIS
CLOSTRIDIAL MYOSITIS

 Clostridium spp – causes severe myositis

 Found in captive killer whales, pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins,
California sea lions, and manatees.
 All marine animals are probably susceptible
CLOSTRIDIAL MYOSITIS

Pathologic findings
 acute swelling, muscle necrosis, and accumulations of gas in affected
tissues, accompanied by a severe leukocytosis.

Diagnosis
 Detection of gram (+) bacilli in aspirates of the lesions
 Confirmed by anaerobic culture and identification of the organism

Treatment
 systemic and local antibiotics
 surgical drainage of abscessed areas and flushing with hydrogen
peroxide.
 Commercially available inactivated clostridial bacterins
ERYSIPELAS
ERYSIPELAS

 Diamond Skin Disease

 Can be a serious infectious disease of captive cetaceans and
pinnipeds
 Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae – common contaminant of fish

Septicemic form
 affected animals die suddenly either with no prodromal signs or with
sudden depression, inappetence, or fever.

Cutaneous form
 causes typical rhomboidal skin lesions
 chronic form of the disease
ERYSIPELAS

Diagnosis
 culture of the organism from the blood, spleen, or body cavities
 Arthritis – found in animals that have died with the chronic form

Treatment
 Dermatologic form – penicillins tetracyclines,
or chloramphenicol and supportive treatment.
ERYSIPELAS

Control
 Primarily related to provision of high-quality fish that is properly
stored and handled.
 Vaccination is available but it is controversial and vaccine breaks
can occur

Treatment
 sensitive to fluoroquinolones and potentiated β-lactams.
 Dermatologic form – penicillins tetracyclines,
or chloramphenicol and supportive treatment.
REFERENCES

 The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition

 Fowler’s Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Vol. 8