Article

An insight into the epidemiology of dolphin morbillivirus worldwide

Peruvian Centre for Cetacean Research (CEPEC), Jorge Chávez 302, Pucusana, Lima 20, Peru; Department of Vaccinology–Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium; Veterinary Science Group, Institute of Zoology, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, UK; Department of Animal Biology & Cavanilles Research Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Dr Moliner 50, 46100 Burjasot, Spain; Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Massey University Cetacean Investigation Center, Massey University, Private Bag 11-22, Palmerston North, New Zealand; Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Central and Arctic Region, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6, Canada; Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense/CBB/LCA, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2.000, Campos RJ 28015-620, Brazil; Depto. de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional/UFRJ, Setor de Mamı́feros, São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro RJ 20940-040, Brazil; Stranding Network Co-ordinator Bayworld Complex, P.O. Box 13147, Humewood 6013, South Africa; Natal Shark Board, P. Bag 2, Umhlanga 4320, South Africa; Veterinary Hospital, Ocean Park Corporation, Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong; Institute of Ocean Sciences, P.O. Box 6000, Sidney, British Columbia V8L 4B2, Canada.; Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo Pontevedra, Spain; Antarctic Wildlife Research Unit, School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, P.O. Box 252-05, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia; Laboratorio de Mamı́feros Marinos, Centro Nacional Patagónico, CONICET, Blvd Brown 3600, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Pirbright Laboratory, Institute for Animal Health, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking GU24 ONF, England, UK
Veterinary Microbiology DOI:10.1016/S0378-1135(01)00368-6 pp.287-304

ABSTRACT Serum samples from 288 cetaceans representing 25 species and originating from 11 different countries were collected between 1995 and 1999 and examined for the presence of dolphin morbillivirus (DMV)-specific antibodies by an indirect ELISA (iELISA) (N=267) or a plaque reduction assay (N=21). A total of 35 odontocetes were seropositive: three harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) from the Northeastern (NE) Atlantic, a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) from Kent (England), three striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), two Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) and a bottlenose dolphin from the Mediterranean Sea, one common dolphin from the Southwest (SW) Indian Ocean, three Fraser’s dolphins (Lagenodelphis hosei) from the SW Atlantic, 18 long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) and a bottlenose dolphin from the SW Pacific as well as a captive bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) originally from Taiwan. The presence of morbillivirus antibodies in 17 of these animals was further examined in other iELISAs and virus neutralization tests. Our results indicate that DMV infects cetaceans worldwide. This is the first report of DMV-seropositive animals from the SW Indian, SW Atlantic and West Pacific Oceans. Prevalence of DMV-seropositives was 85.7% in 21 pilot whales from the SW Pacific and both sexually mature and immature individuals were infected. This indicates that DMV is endemic in these animals. The same situation may occur among Fraser’s dolphins from the SW Atlantic. The prevalence of DMV-seropositives was 5.26% and 5.36% in 19 common dolphins and 56 harbour porpoise from the NE Atlantic, respectively, and 18.75% in 16 striped dolphins from the Mediterranean. Prevalence varied significantly with sexual maturity in harbour porpoises and striped dolphins; all DMV-seropositives being mature animals. The prevalence of seropositive harbour porpoise and striped dolphins appeared to have decreased since previous studies. These data suggest that DMV is not endemic within these populations, that they are losing their humoral immunity against the virus and that they may be vulnerable to new epidemics.

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2 Apr 2013

Keywords

11 different countries
 
16 striped dolphins
 
19 common dolphins
 
288 cetaceans
 
bottlenose dolphin
 
captive bottlenose dolphin
 
common dolphin
 
DMV infects cetaceans
 
DMV-seropositive animals
 
dolphin morbillivirus
 
Fraser’s dolphins
 
harbour porpoises
 
immature individuals
 
indirect ELISA
 
Lagenodelphis hosei
 
Mediterranean Sea
 
Prevalence varied
 
Risso’s dolphins
 
striped dolphins
 
SW Pacific