Novel members of the bacterial genus Brucella have recently emerged as pathogens of various marine mammal species and as potential zoonotic agents. We investigated the epizootiology of Brucella infection in Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) by establishing demographic and temporal variations in antibody prevalence, attempting isolation of the causative agent, and determining whether this potential pathogen is involved in frequent abortions observed in this pinniped species. Two competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (cELISAs), an indirect ELISA, and a fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) were used to test sera for Brucella antibodies. The FPA and cELISA proved suitable for use in this species. Significant differences in antibody prevalence were found between age classes of seals sampled between 2007 and 2009 at one colony. Pups sampled at this site (n=134) were negative for Brucella antibodies by all serologic tests but 17 of 45 (38%) of juveniles were antibody-positive. Antibody prevalence in adult females was significantly higher than in juveniles (P=0.044). Antibody prevalence for adult females between 2003 and 2009 varied significantly over time (P=0.011), and for individuals sampled between 2003 and 2005, the likelihood of pregnancy was greater in individuals positive for Brucella antibodies (P=0.034). Inflammatory lesions suggestive of infectious agents were found in 14 of 39 aborted Australian fur seal pups, but pathologic changes were not uniformly consistent for Brucella infection. Culture and PCR investigations on fetal tissues were negative for Brucella. Culture and PCR on selected fresh or frozen tissues from 36 juvenile and adult animals were also negative. We suspect that the prevalence of active infection with Brucella in Australian fur seals is low relative to antibody prevalence.
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Epidemiology|
April 01 2011
EPIZOOTIOLOGY OF BRUCELLA INFECTION IN AUSTRALIAN FUR SEALS Open Access
Michael Lynch;
Michael Lynch
7
1Veterinary Department, Melbourne Zoo, PO Box 74, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
2School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
7 Corresponding author (email: [email protected])
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Pádraig J. Duignan;
Pádraig J. Duignan
3Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
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Trevor Taylor;
Trevor Taylor
4CSIRO Animal Health, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Private Bag 24, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia
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Ole Nielsen;
Ole Nielsen
5Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Central Arctic Region, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N6
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Roger Kirkwood;
Roger Kirkwood
6Phillip Island Nature Parks, PO Box 97, Cowes, Victoria 3922, Australia
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John Gibbens;
John Gibbens
2School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
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John P. Y. Arnould
John P. Y. Arnould
2School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
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J Wildl Dis (2011) 47 (2): 352–363.
Article history
Received:
August 31 2010
Accepted:
November 17 2010
Citation
Michael Lynch, Pádraig J. Duignan, Trevor Taylor, Ole Nielsen, Roger Kirkwood, John Gibbens, John P. Y. Arnould; EPIZOOTIOLOGY OF BRUCELLA INFECTION IN AUSTRALIAN FUR SEALS. J Wildl Dis 1 April 2011; 47 (2): 352–363. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-47.2.352
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