Noel Kinler’s scientific contributions

Bacterial and fungal dermatitis is a common problem in captive reared alligators in commercial operations, and stress has been suggested as a predisposing factor. We compared cordcosterone levels between alligators with dermatitis (Tx) and alligators without dermatitis (Cx). There was no statistically significant difference between the baseline corticosterone concentrations (time 0) of the Tx and Cx groups (P-0.272). At 15 min postcapture, there was a statistically significant difference between treatment and control animals (P = 0.006), with the Tx alligators having higher corticosterone concentrations compared with the Cx alligators. At 3 h (after dexaniethasone administration) values for both groups decreased from the 15 min levels, showing a functional negative feedback loop of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis; there was no statistically significant difference between groups (P = 0.90) at that time. The results do not show an associafion between stress and dermatitis, but suggest that animals may be more prone to increases in corticosterone release once dermatitis is present.

Lymphohistiocytic Proliferative Syndrome of Alligators is characterized by the presence of 1 – 2 mm, gray foci on the skin of American alligators, Alligator mississippiensis . Histopathology from affected animals reveals lymphohistiocytic infiltrates in the dermis and epidermis, as well as other tissues. The emergence of this syndrome at the time West Nile virus was first reported in South Florida and Louisiana led to an investigation on the association between Lymphohistiocytic Proliferative Syndrome and West Nile virus. A total of sixty alligators were sampled from three different alligator farms. Alligators were selected based on the presence or absence of Lymphohistiocytic Proliferative Syndrome skin lesions. Serum from each animal was submitted for detection of West Nile virus antibodies. The results revealed that alligators with Lymphohistiocytic Proliferative Syndrome skin lesions were 476 (95% CI: 79.6, 2845.2) times more likely to be seropositive to West Nile virus than those without lesions. These findings suggest that the development of Lymphohistiocytic Proliferative Syndrome lesions is highly likely in West Nile virus seropositive alligators.