Fatal Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae septicemia in a captive Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhyncus obliquidens)

One male of a group of seven Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) died after a brief period of nonspecific clinical signs. Four beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) and four harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) were managed in the same water system. Gross examination of the dolphin re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of zoo and wildlife medicine Vol. 28; no. 4; p. 494
Main Authors Kinsel, M J, Boehm, J R, Harris, B, Murnane, R D
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.1997
Subjects
Animals
Animals, Zoo
Bacteremia - microbiology
Bacteremia - pathology
Bacteremia - veterinary
Brain - microbiology
Brain - pathology
Dolphins
Erysipelothrix - isolation & purification
Erysipelothrix Infections - microbiology
Erysipelothrix Infections - pathology
Fatal Outcome
Intestines - pathology
Kidney - microbiology
Kidney - pathology
Liver - microbiology
Liver - pathology
Lung - microbiology
Lung - pathology
Lymph Nodes - pathology
Male
Spleen - microbiology
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Summary:One male of a group of seven Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) died after a brief period of nonspecific clinical signs. Four beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) and four harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) were managed in the same water system. Gross examination of the dolphin revealed only moderately enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Histopathology revealed small to massive numbers of gram-positive bacilli, usually intravascular, in all tissues. Bacteria were both extracellular and present in macrophages, monocytes, and neutrophils. Aerobic bacterial culture of lung, liver, kidney, and spleen yielded pure cultures of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Based on clinical course, histopathology, and bacteriology, a diagnosis of acute erysipelas septicemia was made. None of the other cetaceans or pinnipeds exhibited clinical signs.
ISSN:1042-7260