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Padraig J Duignan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Morbillivirus Infection in bottlenose dolphins evidence for recurrent epizootics in the western atlantic and gulf of mexico
Marine Mammal Science, 2006Co-Authors: Padraig J Duignan, Bertus K. Rima, Carol House, David J St Aubin, Michael T. Walsh, Daniel K Odell, Randall S Wells, Larry J Hansen, J. R. GeraciAbstract:Morbillivirus Infection is widespread among odontocetes of the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Serologic evidence of Infection in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, was first detected during an epizootic along the mid-Atlantic coast in 1987. Here, we report recurrent epizootics in the coastal dolphin population since at least the early 1980s based on serological surveys and regional stranding frequencies. The first observed epizootic of this series occurred in the Indian and Banana Rivers in 1982 and was followed by others on the mid-Atlantic coast in 1987–1988 and in the Gulf of Mexico between 1992 and 1994. This temporal pattern of Infection is likely facilitated by the population size and its fragmentation into relatively discrete coastal communities. Introduction of Morbillivirus into a community with a sufficient number of naive hosts may precipitate an epizootic, depending on the potential for transmission within the group. Propagation of an epizootic along the coast is probably determined by frequency of contact between adjacent communities and seasonal migrations. Morbillivirus antibodies were also detected in serum from offshore bottlenose dolphins. The sero-prevalence in the latter may be higher than in coastal dolphins because of their close association with enzootically infected pilot whales (Globicephala spp.). Occasional contact between offshore and coastal dolphins may provide an epizootiologic link between pilot whales and coastal dolphin communities.
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A Morbillivirus antibody survey of Atlantic walrus, narwhal and beluga in Canada.
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2000Co-Authors: Ole Bjorslev Nielsen, Padraig J Duignan, Robert E. A. Stewart, Lena N. Measures, Carol HouseAbstract:A longitudinal serologic survey was conducted for Morbillivirus antibodies in Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus), narwhal (Monodon monoceros), and beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the St. Lawrence estuary (Canada). Sixty-five of 131 (50%) walruses sampled between 1984 and 1993 had detectable Morbillivirus neutralizing antibodies. Positive walrus were identified from four of five Arctic sampling sites, to as far back as 1984. Prevalence of Morbillivirus neutralizing antibodies in walruses from Foxe Basin ranged from a high of 76% (n = 21) in 1993 to a low of 22% (n = 28) in 1984. Limitations in sample acquisition may have produced underestimates for the 1984 data. There are no reports of clinical Morbillivirus Infection in walruses. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that a Morbillivirus similar or identical to phocine distemper virus (PDV) has circulated among walrus populations of the eastern Canadian Arctic, at least since the early 1980s...
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epizootiology of Morbillivirus Infection in harp hooded and ringed seals from the canadian arctic and western atlantic
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 1997Co-Authors: Noel Duffy, Greg Early, Carol House, Samuel Sadove, David J St Aubin, Padraig J Duignan, Kit M Kovacs, Ole Bjorslev Nielsen, Bertus K. RimaAbstract:Using a virus neutralization technique, we found phocine distemper virus (PDV) antibody in 130 (83% of 157) harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) from the western North Atlantic sampled between 1988 and 1993 inclusive. In contrast, only 44 (24% of 185) hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) had antibodies against PDV even though they were sympatric with harp seals and were sampled over a similar period, from 1989 to 1994 inclusive. Antibodies occurred in 106 (41%) of 259 ringed seals (Phoca hispida); this prevalence was higher than expected given the solitary behavior and territoriality characteristic of this species. Seropositive ringed seals were found at each of seven locations across Arctic Canada from Baffin Bay to Amundsen Gulf at which samples were collected between 1992 and 1994. However, the prevalence of Infection was highest where ringed seals are sympatric with harp seals in the eastern Canadian Arctic.
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Morbillivirus Infection in manatees
Marine Mammal Science, 1995Co-Authors: Padraig J Duignan, Terry Campbell, Noel Duffy, Peter J. Fernandes, Scott D Wright, Bertus K. Rima, Carol House, Gregory D Bossart, Michael T. Walsh, J. R. GeraciAbstract:The first evidence of exposure of free-ranging Florida manatees (Trichechus manatees latirostris) to a Morbillivirus is reported. Blood samples were collected from 148 Florida manatees between 1977 and 1994. The sample included manatees that were under rehabilitation (n = 97), free-ranging (n = 40) and fresh necropsy specimens (n = 11). Serum from six animals (4%) neutralized porpoise and dolphin Morbilliviruses to a higher titer than any other member of the Morbillivirus genus. Antibodies were not detected in sera from 12 free-ranging Antillean manatees (T. manatus manatus) from Guyana sampled in 1992 or from 12 hand-reared Amazonian manatees (T. inunguis) sampled in 1984. Immunoprecipitation studies using radio-labelled canine distemper virus protein and serum from Florida manatees showed precipitation of the nucleo-capsid (N) protein. The combination of low antibody titers and absence of clinical disease suggest that the Florida manatee is a dead-end host. Sporadic Infection may occur following contact with another species in which Infection is enzootic. Morbillivirus could, either by fatal Infection or more insidious effects on the immune system or reproduction, pose a problem to this already threatened species.
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epizootiology of Morbillivirus Infection in north american harbor seals phoca vitulina and gray seals halichoerus grypus
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 1995Co-Authors: Padraig J Duignan, Greg Early, Samuel Sadove, David J St Aubin, Jeremiah T. Saliki, James A House, Kit M Kovacs, J. R. GeraciAbstract:A longitudinal study of Morbillivirus Infection among harbor (Phoca vitulina) and gray (Halichoerus grypus) seals on the Atlantic coast of North America was carried out between 1980 and 1994. Serology also was carried out on harbor seals from the Pacific northwest coast collected in 1992 and 1993. The prevalence of Morbillivirus neutralizing antibodies was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in gray (73%, n = 296) than in harbor seals (37%, n = 387) from the Atlantic. Titers were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher against phocine distemper (PDV) compared to any other Morbillivirus. Antibodies were not detected in serum from Pacific harbor seals. During the winter of 1991 to 1992 an epizootic occurred among harbor seals on the northeast coast of the United States. The event was characterized by an increase in strandings and by a significant (P = 0.001) increase in PDV antibody prevalence to 83% (n = 36) in seals stranded that winter. Morbillivirus lesions and antigen were observed in six animals found strande...
David J St Aubin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Morbillivirus Infection in bottlenose dolphins evidence for recurrent epizootics in the western atlantic and gulf of mexico
Marine Mammal Science, 2006Co-Authors: Padraig J Duignan, Bertus K. Rima, Carol House, David J St Aubin, Michael T. Walsh, Daniel K Odell, Randall S Wells, Larry J Hansen, J. R. GeraciAbstract:Morbillivirus Infection is widespread among odontocetes of the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Serologic evidence of Infection in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, was first detected during an epizootic along the mid-Atlantic coast in 1987. Here, we report recurrent epizootics in the coastal dolphin population since at least the early 1980s based on serological surveys and regional stranding frequencies. The first observed epizootic of this series occurred in the Indian and Banana Rivers in 1982 and was followed by others on the mid-Atlantic coast in 1987–1988 and in the Gulf of Mexico between 1992 and 1994. This temporal pattern of Infection is likely facilitated by the population size and its fragmentation into relatively discrete coastal communities. Introduction of Morbillivirus into a community with a sufficient number of naive hosts may precipitate an epizootic, depending on the potential for transmission within the group. Propagation of an epizootic along the coast is probably determined by frequency of contact between adjacent communities and seasonal migrations. Morbillivirus antibodies were also detected in serum from offshore bottlenose dolphins. The sero-prevalence in the latter may be higher than in coastal dolphins because of their close association with enzootically infected pilot whales (Globicephala spp.). Occasional contact between offshore and coastal dolphins may provide an epizootiologic link between pilot whales and coastal dolphin communities.
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epizootiology of Morbillivirus Infection in harp hooded and ringed seals from the canadian arctic and western atlantic
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 1997Co-Authors: Noel Duffy, Greg Early, Carol House, Samuel Sadove, David J St Aubin, Padraig J Duignan, Kit M Kovacs, Ole Bjorslev Nielsen, Bertus K. RimaAbstract:Using a virus neutralization technique, we found phocine distemper virus (PDV) antibody in 130 (83% of 157) harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) from the western North Atlantic sampled between 1988 and 1993 inclusive. In contrast, only 44 (24% of 185) hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) had antibodies against PDV even though they were sympatric with harp seals and were sampled over a similar period, from 1989 to 1994 inclusive. Antibodies occurred in 106 (41%) of 259 ringed seals (Phoca hispida); this prevalence was higher than expected given the solitary behavior and territoriality characteristic of this species. Seropositive ringed seals were found at each of seven locations across Arctic Canada from Baffin Bay to Amundsen Gulf at which samples were collected between 1992 and 1994. However, the prevalence of Infection was highest where ringed seals are sympatric with harp seals in the eastern Canadian Arctic.
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epizootiology of Morbillivirus Infection in north american harbor seals phoca vitulina and gray seals halichoerus grypus
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 1995Co-Authors: Padraig J Duignan, Greg Early, Samuel Sadove, David J St Aubin, Jeremiah T. Saliki, James A House, Kit M Kovacs, J. R. GeraciAbstract:A longitudinal study of Morbillivirus Infection among harbor (Phoca vitulina) and gray (Halichoerus grypus) seals on the Atlantic coast of North America was carried out between 1980 and 1994. Serology also was carried out on harbor seals from the Pacific northwest coast collected in 1992 and 1993. The prevalence of Morbillivirus neutralizing antibodies was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in gray (73%, n = 296) than in harbor seals (37%, n = 387) from the Atlantic. Titers were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher against phocine distemper (PDV) compared to any other Morbillivirus. Antibodies were not detected in serum from Pacific harbor seals. During the winter of 1991 to 1992 an epizootic occurred among harbor seals on the northeast coast of the United States. The event was characterized by an increase in strandings and by a significant (P = 0.001) increase in PDV antibody prevalence to 83% (n = 36) in seals stranded that winter. Morbillivirus lesions and antigen were observed in six animals found strande...
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Morbillivirus Infection in cetaceans of the western atlantic
Veterinary Microbiology, 1995Co-Authors: Padraig J Duignan, Noel Duffy, Bertus K. Rima, J. R. Geraci, Greg Early, Carol House, Samuel Sadove, David J St Aubin, Michael T. Walsh, Heather KoopmanAbstract:Abstract We report serologic evidence of Morbillivirus Infection in eleven of fifteen species of odontocete cetaceans from the western Atlantic since 1986. Blood samples were obtained both from free-ranging and stranded animals. Virus neutralizing titers were higher against porpoise and dolphin Morbilliviruses than against peste des petits ruminants virus, phocine distemper virus or canine distemper virus (CDV). Serum from five species, tested in a heterologous immunoprecipitation assay using radio-labelled CDV, precipitated the nucleocapsid (N) protein. Clinical Morbillivirus Infection may potentially impact already threatened species such as the harbour porpoise and precipitate mass strandings of socially cohesive odontocetes.
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Morbillivirus Infection in two species of pilot whale globicephala sp from the western atlantic
Marine Mammal Science, 1995Co-Authors: Padraig J Duignan, J. R. Geraci, Greg Early, Carol House, Heather G Copland, Carolyn Cray, Samuel Sadove, Gregory D Bossart, Michael T. Walsh, David J St AubinAbstract:We report evidence of enzootic Morbillivirus Infection among long-finned, Globicephala melas, and short-finned, G. macrorhynchus, pilot whales in the western Atlantic. A retrospective serologic survey, using five Morbilliviruses, was carried out on 99 G. melas from 14 stranding events between 1982 and 1993 and from 25 G. macrorhynchus stranded in 5 events between 1986 and 1994. A blood sample was also obtained from an adult G. melas by-caught in the western North Atlantic. Tissues were collected from 24 G. melas and 15 G. macrorhynchus for histology and immunoperoxidase staining. Neutralizing antibody titers were found in 92 (92%) of 100 G. melas and 16 (64%) of 25 G. macrorynchus, and titers were highest against cetacean Morbilliviruses. Seroprevalence was similar between age classes and sexes. The earliest evidence of Infection was in a G. melas that stranded in 1982. Stable antibody titers were observed in pilot whales under rehabilitation for up to eight months. Clinical disease consistent with Morbillivirus pneumonia was detected in a G. melas calf. Immunoperoxidase staining confirmed that viral antigen was present in the lesions. We propose that enzootic Infection in pilot whales is facilitated by population size, social structure, and migration patterns. Furthermore, through mixing with other odontocetes, pilot whales could act as vectors through the Atlantic. Clinical Morbillivirus Infection may precipitate mass strandings of highly social odontocetes.
Walter Mignone - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Efficient isolation on Vero.DogSLAMtag cells and full genome characterization of Dolphin Morbillivirus (DMV) by next generation sequencing
Scientific Reports, 2018Co-Authors: Simone Peletto, Sandro Mazzariol, Claudio Caruso, Francesco Cerutti, Paola Modesto, Cristina Biolatti, Alessandra Pautasso, Carla Grattarola, Federica Giorda, Walter MignoneAbstract:The Dolphin Morbillivirus (DMV) genome from the first Mediterranean epidemic (1990-’92) is the only cetacean Morbillivirus that has been completely sequenced. Here, we report the first application of next generation sequencing (NGS) to Morbillivirus Infection of aquatic mammals. A viral isolate, representative of the 2006-’08 Mediterranean epidemic (DMV_IZSPLV_2008), efficiently grew on Vero.DogSLAMtag cells and was submitted to whole genome characterization by NGS. The final genome length was 15,673 nucleotides, covering 99.82% of the DMV reference genome. Comparison of DMV_IZSPLV_2008 and 1990-’92 DMV strain sequences revealed 157 nucleotide mutations and 47 amino acid changes. The sequence similarity was 98.7% at the full genome level. Whole-genome phylogeny suggested that the DMV strain circulating during the 2006-’08 epidemics emerged from the 1990-’92 DMV strain. Viral isolation is considered the “gold standard” for Morbillivirus diagnostics but efficient propagation of infectious virus is difficult to achieve. The successful cell replication of this strain allowed performing NGS directly from the viral RNA, without prior PCR amplification. We therefore provide to the scientific community a second DMV genome, representative of another major outbreak. Interestingly, genome comparison revealed that the neglected L gene encompasses 74% of the genetic diversity and might serve as “hypervariable” target for strain characterization.
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Detection of Morbillivirus Infection by RT-PCR RFLP analysis in cetaceans and carnivores.
Journal of Virological Methods, 2017Co-Authors: Federica Verna, Ilaria Miceli, Angelo Romano, Maria Domenica Pintore, Alessandra Pautasso, Barbara Iulini, Federica Giorda, Walter Mignone, Giovanna Rizzo, Carla GrattarolaAbstract:Morbillivirus genus comprises several members related to specific hosts, such as canine distemper virus (CDV) and cetacean Morbillivirus (CeMV) in which the dolphin Morbillivirus (DMV) is included. Both CDV and DMV are able to cause serious outbreak associated with high morbidity and mortality representing an important conservation threat for terrestrial and aquatic mammalian species. This paper describes a new RT-PCR RFLP technique based on a RT-PCR with degenerate primers targeting a 287 bp fragment located on the conserved N terminus of the Morbillivirus NP gene, followed by MseI RFLP, in order both to confirm the detection of the virus and to distinguish DMV from CDV. Both carnivores and cetaceans tissues (brain, lung and lymph node) presenting evidence of Morbillivirus Infection (MI) were analyzed. RT-PCR positive samples were typed by RFLP analysis and then sequenced to confirm the RFLP results. This method was applied during the last Morbillivirus cetacean die-off occurred in the Mediterranean basin in 2013, when there was the urgent need of a rapid and economic method to investigate among causes of death on stranded cetaceans. This new technique has proved to be a valuable, reliable, simple and relatively inexpensive diagnostic tool easily applicable also in limited-resource laboratories.
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dolphin Morbillivirus associated with a mass stranding of sperm whales italy
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2017Co-Authors: Sandro Mazzariol, Ludovica Di Renzo, Gianluca Fichi, Cinzia Centelleghe, Andrea Di Provvido, Cristina Esmeralda Di Francesco, Antonio Petrella, Giusy Cardeti, Antonella Cersini, Walter MignoneAbstract:: In September 2014, seven sperm whales were stranded along Italy's Adriatic coastline. Postmortem investigations on 3 female adult whales and 1 male fetus carried by the largest female revealed molecular and immunohistochemical evidence of dolphin Morbillivirus Infection. A possible role of the virus in the stranding event was considered.
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Morbillivirus Infection in cetaceans stranded along the italian coastline pathological immunohistochemical and biomolecular findings
Research in Veterinary Science, 2013Co-Authors: Giovanni Di Guardo, Simone Peletto, Cristina Esmeralda Di Francesco, Walter Mignone, Cristina Casalone, Claudia Eleni, Cristiano Cocumelli, Francesco Scholl, Cristiana Tittarelli, Fabio Di NoceraAbstract:Abstract Morbilliviruses are recognized as biological agents highly impacting the health and conservation status of free-ranging cetaceans worldwide, as clearly exemplified by the two Dolphin Morbillivirus (DMV) epidemics of 1990–1992 and 2006–2008 among Mediterranean striped dolphins ( Stenella coeruleoalba ). After these two epidemics, morbilliviral Infection (MI) cases with peculiar neurobiological features were reported in striped dolphins stranded along the Spanish coastline. Affected cetaceans showed a subacute-to-chronic, non-suppurative encephalitis, with brain lesions strongly resembling those found in human “ subacute sclerosing panencephalitis ” and “ old dog encephalitis ”. Brain was the only tissue in which morbilliviral antigen and/or genome could be detected. Beside a case of morbilliviral encephalitis in a striped dolphin’s calf stranded in 2009, we observed 5 additional MI cases in 2 striped dolphins, 1 bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus ) and 2 fin whales ( Balaenoptera physalus ), all stranded in 2011 along the Italian coastline. Noteworthy, 3 of these animals (2 striped dolphins and 1 bottlenose dolphin) showed immunohistochemical (IHC) and/or biomolecular (PCR) evidence of morbilliviral antigen and/or genome exclusively in their brain, with 1 striped dolphin and 1 bottlenose dolphin also exhibiting a non-suppurative encephalitis. Furthermore, simultaneous IHC and PCR evidence of a Toxoplasma gondii coInfection was obtained in 1 fin whale. The above results are consistent with those reported in striped dolphins after the two MI epidemics of 1990–92 and 2006–2008, with evidence of morbilliviral antigen and/or genome being found exclusively in the brain tissue from affected animals.
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cerebral toxoplasmosis in striped dolphins stenella coeruleoalba stranded along the ligurian sea coast of italy
Veterinary Pathology, 2010Co-Authors: Giovanni Di Guardo, S. Kennedy, Walter Mignone, Umberto Proietto, C E Di Francesco, Annalisa Zaccaroni, Dino Scaravelli, F Garibaldi, Fulvio Marsilio, Fiona ForsterAbstract:This article reports the results of necropsy, parasitologic, microbiologic, histopathologic, immunohistochemical, indirect immunofluorescence, biomolecular, and serologic investigations on 8 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) found stranded from August to December 2007 on the Ligurian Sea coast of Italy. Severe, nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis was found in 4 animals, as characterized by prominent perivascular mononuclear cell cuffing and macrophage accumulations in neuropil. These lesions were associated with mild lymphocytic–plasmacytic infiltration of choroid plexuses in 1 dolphin. Toxoplasma gondii cysts and zoites, confirmed by immunohistochemical labeling, were scattered throughout the brain parenchyma of 2 of the 4 dolphins. No viral inclusions were seen in the brain of any animal. Other findings included severe bronchointerstitial pneumonia and pulmonary atelectasis, consolidation, and emphysema. Parasites were identified in a variety of organs, including lung (Halocerchus lagenorhynchi). Microbiologic and serologic examinations for Brucella spp were negative on all 8 dolphins. The 4 animals with meningoencephalitis had serum antibodies against T gondii (titers ranging from 1:80 to 1:320) but not against Morbillivirus. In contrast, the other 4 dolphins were seropositive for Morbillivirus (with titers ranging from 1:10 to 1:40) but seronegative for T gondii. No Morbillivirus antigen or nucleic acid was detected in the tissues of any dolphin. It is concluded that the severe lung and brain lesions were the cause of death and that T gondii was the likely etiologic agent of the cerebral lesions. Morbillivirus Infection was not considered to have contributed to death of these animals.
I K G Visser - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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evidence for chronic Morbillivirus Infection in the mediterranean striped dolphin stenella coeruleoalba
Veterinary Microbiology, 1995Co-Authors: M Domingo, Jose Visa, Miquel Vilafranca, Neus Prats, Alan Trudgett, I K G VisserAbstract:In the summer of 1990 an epizootic Infection caused by a Morbillivirus (DMV) killed several thousand striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1991 and 1992 the epizootic reached Italian and Greek waters. The Infection by DMV in the acute period of the epizootic caused encephalitis, pneumonia and depletion of lymph nodes. After 1990, the systemic Infection apparently disappeared from the Catalonian coast, giving way to cases of chronic Infection of the CNS. Dolphins that died between 1991 and May 1994 were necropsied, and investigated for lesions due to DMV, and for the presence of Morbillivirus antigen in tissues. Encephalitis occurred in 6 dolphins in which DMV antigen was demonstrated in the CNS and which were without lesions or antigen in other, non-nervous tissues. Inflammatory lesions, gliosis, and DMV antigen decreased in density and amount from cerebral grey matter, through the thalamic areas to the medulla oblongata. The cerebellum was usually spared. Lesions consisted of non-suppurative encephalitis, with diffuse gliosis and glial nodules and neuronophagia, and loss of neurons. Perivascular cuffing of lymphocytes and plasma cells was present in the cerebral cortex and the white matter beneath the cortex. Multi-nucleate syncytia were not detected in any of the dolphins. The haemagglutinin of DMV was detected mainly in neurons in the cerebral cortical areas. There was no clear relationship between the presence and amount of DMV antigen and the density or chronicity of lesions. Viral inclusions were seen in haematoxylin and eosin stained sections in 3/6 dolphins, principally in the nucleus and the cytoplasm of neurons. In the immunoperoxidase stained sections, dense granular deposits of chromogen, similar to viral inclusions, were evident in all 6 dolphins. The change in the distribution of lesions and of DMV antigen, from systemic to localized in the CNS, and the clustering of systemic DMV Infections in the first four months of the epizootic, giving rise to sporadic occurrence of local CNS Infection in the subsequent four years, as well as the chronic nature of the CNS lesions, which closely resembles
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Dolphin Morbillivirus Infection in different parts of the Mediterranean Sea
Archives of Virology, 1993Co-Authors: M. -f. Bressem, I K G Visser, R. L. Swart, C. Örvell, L. Stanzani, E. Androukaki, K. Siakavara, A. D. M. E. OsterhausAbstract:Morbillivirus were isolated from Mediterranean striped dolphins ( Stenella coeruleoalba ) dying along the coasts of Italy and Greece in 1991. They were antigenically identical to the Morbilliviruses isolated from striped dolphins in Spain in 1990.
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Prevalence of Morbilliviruses among pinniped and cetacean species
Revue Scientifique Et Technique De L Office International Des Epizooties, 1993Co-Authors: I K G Visser, Juan Antonio Raga, Van Bressem Mf, Van De Bildt Mw, Jan Groen, Claes Örvell, A D OsterhausAbstract:: Since 1987, Morbillivirus Infections have caused serious disease outbreaks with high mortality among aquatic mammals. Baikal seals (Phoca sibirica) in Siberia were involved in an outbreak caused by a virus closely related to canine distemper virus (CDV) in 1987. Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in north-western Europe were struck by a newly recognised Morbillivirus of seals (PDV1). A serological survey has indicated that these Morbillivirus Infections frequently occur among several pinniped species. Besides pinnipeds, the presence of Morbillivirus Infections among cetaceans, including whales, dolphins and porpoises, has been demonstrated since the outbreak of PDV among seals in north-western Europe. Morbillivirus was isolated from several stranded harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). This virus proved to be very similar to a virus which was isolated during a disease outbreak with high mortality among striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the Mediterranean area. The viruses isolated from these cetacean species were quite different from the viruses isolated from the seals. They proved more related to the ruminant Morbilliviruses, peste des petits ruminants virus and rinderpest virus. The potential transmission of the dolphin Morbillivirus to the endangered population of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) has been considered. Studies are presently being conducted into the possibility of inducing protection against Morbillivirus Infection in this species by vaccination with an immune stimulating complex (ISCOM) preparation based on CDV.
J. R. Geraci - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Morbillivirus Infection in bottlenose dolphins evidence for recurrent epizootics in the western atlantic and gulf of mexico
Marine Mammal Science, 2006Co-Authors: Padraig J Duignan, Bertus K. Rima, Carol House, David J St Aubin, Michael T. Walsh, Daniel K Odell, Randall S Wells, Larry J Hansen, J. R. GeraciAbstract:Morbillivirus Infection is widespread among odontocetes of the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Serologic evidence of Infection in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, was first detected during an epizootic along the mid-Atlantic coast in 1987. Here, we report recurrent epizootics in the coastal dolphin population since at least the early 1980s based on serological surveys and regional stranding frequencies. The first observed epizootic of this series occurred in the Indian and Banana Rivers in 1982 and was followed by others on the mid-Atlantic coast in 1987–1988 and in the Gulf of Mexico between 1992 and 1994. This temporal pattern of Infection is likely facilitated by the population size and its fragmentation into relatively discrete coastal communities. Introduction of Morbillivirus into a community with a sufficient number of naive hosts may precipitate an epizootic, depending on the potential for transmission within the group. Propagation of an epizootic along the coast is probably determined by frequency of contact between adjacent communities and seasonal migrations. Morbillivirus antibodies were also detected in serum from offshore bottlenose dolphins. The sero-prevalence in the latter may be higher than in coastal dolphins because of their close association with enzootically infected pilot whales (Globicephala spp.). Occasional contact between offshore and coastal dolphins may provide an epizootiologic link between pilot whales and coastal dolphin communities.
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Morbillivirus Infection in manatees
Marine Mammal Science, 1995Co-Authors: Padraig J Duignan, Terry Campbell, Noel Duffy, Peter J. Fernandes, Scott D Wright, Bertus K. Rima, Carol House, Gregory D Bossart, Michael T. Walsh, J. R. GeraciAbstract:The first evidence of exposure of free-ranging Florida manatees (Trichechus manatees latirostris) to a Morbillivirus is reported. Blood samples were collected from 148 Florida manatees between 1977 and 1994. The sample included manatees that were under rehabilitation (n = 97), free-ranging (n = 40) and fresh necropsy specimens (n = 11). Serum from six animals (4%) neutralized porpoise and dolphin Morbilliviruses to a higher titer than any other member of the Morbillivirus genus. Antibodies were not detected in sera from 12 free-ranging Antillean manatees (T. manatus manatus) from Guyana sampled in 1992 or from 12 hand-reared Amazonian manatees (T. inunguis) sampled in 1984. Immunoprecipitation studies using radio-labelled canine distemper virus protein and serum from Florida manatees showed precipitation of the nucleo-capsid (N) protein. The combination of low antibody titers and absence of clinical disease suggest that the Florida manatee is a dead-end host. Sporadic Infection may occur following contact with another species in which Infection is enzootic. Morbillivirus could, either by fatal Infection or more insidious effects on the immune system or reproduction, pose a problem to this already threatened species.
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epizootiology of Morbillivirus Infection in north american harbor seals phoca vitulina and gray seals halichoerus grypus
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 1995Co-Authors: Padraig J Duignan, Greg Early, Samuel Sadove, David J St Aubin, Jeremiah T. Saliki, James A House, Kit M Kovacs, J. R. GeraciAbstract:A longitudinal study of Morbillivirus Infection among harbor (Phoca vitulina) and gray (Halichoerus grypus) seals on the Atlantic coast of North America was carried out between 1980 and 1994. Serology also was carried out on harbor seals from the Pacific northwest coast collected in 1992 and 1993. The prevalence of Morbillivirus neutralizing antibodies was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in gray (73%, n = 296) than in harbor seals (37%, n = 387) from the Atlantic. Titers were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher against phocine distemper (PDV) compared to any other Morbillivirus. Antibodies were not detected in serum from Pacific harbor seals. During the winter of 1991 to 1992 an epizootic occurred among harbor seals on the northeast coast of the United States. The event was characterized by an increase in strandings and by a significant (P = 0.001) increase in PDV antibody prevalence to 83% (n = 36) in seals stranded that winter. Morbillivirus lesions and antigen were observed in six animals found strande...
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Morbillivirus Infection in cetaceans of the western atlantic
Veterinary Microbiology, 1995Co-Authors: Padraig J Duignan, Noel Duffy, Bertus K. Rima, J. R. Geraci, Greg Early, Carol House, Samuel Sadove, David J St Aubin, Michael T. Walsh, Heather KoopmanAbstract:Abstract We report serologic evidence of Morbillivirus Infection in eleven of fifteen species of odontocete cetaceans from the western Atlantic since 1986. Blood samples were obtained both from free-ranging and stranded animals. Virus neutralizing titers were higher against porpoise and dolphin Morbilliviruses than against peste des petits ruminants virus, phocine distemper virus or canine distemper virus (CDV). Serum from five species, tested in a heterologous immunoprecipitation assay using radio-labelled CDV, precipitated the nucleocapsid (N) protein. Clinical Morbillivirus Infection may potentially impact already threatened species such as the harbour porpoise and precipitate mass strandings of socially cohesive odontocetes.
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Morbillivirus Infection in two species of pilot whale globicephala sp from the western atlantic
Marine Mammal Science, 1995Co-Authors: Padraig J Duignan, J. R. Geraci, Greg Early, Carol House, Heather G Copland, Carolyn Cray, Samuel Sadove, Gregory D Bossart, Michael T. Walsh, David J St AubinAbstract:We report evidence of enzootic Morbillivirus Infection among long-finned, Globicephala melas, and short-finned, G. macrorhynchus, pilot whales in the western Atlantic. A retrospective serologic survey, using five Morbilliviruses, was carried out on 99 G. melas from 14 stranding events between 1982 and 1993 and from 25 G. macrorhynchus stranded in 5 events between 1986 and 1994. A blood sample was also obtained from an adult G. melas by-caught in the western North Atlantic. Tissues were collected from 24 G. melas and 15 G. macrorhynchus for histology and immunoperoxidase staining. Neutralizing antibody titers were found in 92 (92%) of 100 G. melas and 16 (64%) of 25 G. macrorynchus, and titers were highest against cetacean Morbilliviruses. Seroprevalence was similar between age classes and sexes. The earliest evidence of Infection was in a G. melas that stranded in 1982. Stable antibody titers were observed in pilot whales under rehabilitation for up to eight months. Clinical disease consistent with Morbillivirus pneumonia was detected in a G. melas calf. Immunoperoxidase staining confirmed that viral antigen was present in the lesions. We propose that enzootic Infection in pilot whales is facilitated by population size, social structure, and migration patterns. Furthermore, through mixing with other odontocetes, pilot whales could act as vectors through the Atlantic. Clinical Morbillivirus Infection may precipitate mass strandings of highly social odontocetes.