West Kristi L, Levine Gregg, Jacob Jessica, Jensen Brenda, Sanchez Susan, Colegrove Kathleen, Rotstein David
1 College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawaii Pacific University, 45-045 Kamehameha Hwy., Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744, USA.
J Wildl Dis. 2015 Jan;51(1):227-32. doi: 10.7589/2014-04-092.
The viral genus Morbillivirus and the bacterial genus Brucella have emerged as important groups of pathogens that are known to affect cetacean health on a global scale, but neither pathogen has previously been reported from endangered sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). A female neonate sperm whale stranded alive and died near Laie on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, US, in May of 2011. Congestion of the cerebrum and enlarged lymph nodes were noted on the gross necropsy. Microscopic findings included lymphoid depletion, chronic meningitis, and pneumonia, suggesting an in utero infection. Cerebrum, lung, umbilicus, and select lymph nodes (tracheobronchial and mediastinal) were positive for Brucella by PCR. Brucella sp. was also cultured from the cerebrum and from mediastinal and tracheobronchial lymph nodes. Twelve different tissues were screened for Morbillivirus by reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR and select tissues by immunohistochemistry, but only the tracheobronchial lymph node and spleen were positive by RT-PCR. Pathologic findings observed were likely a result of Brucella, but Morbillivirus may have played a key role in immune suppression of the mother and calf. The in utero infection in this individual strongly supports vertical transmission of both pathogens.
麻疹病毒属和布鲁氏菌属已成为重要的病原体类别，已知它们在全球范围内影响鲸类健康，但此前从未在濒危的抹香鲸（Physeter macrocephalus）中报告过这两种病原体。2011年5月，一头雌性新生抹香鲸在美国夏威夷瓦胡岛拉伊附近搁浅并死亡。大体尸检时发现大脑充血和淋巴结肿大。显微镜检查结果包括淋巴细胞耗竭、慢性脑膜炎和肺炎，提示子宫内感染。通过聚合酶链反应（PCR）检测，大脑、肺、脐部和选定的淋巴结（气管支气管和纵隔淋巴结）布鲁氏菌呈阳性。布鲁氏菌也从大脑以及纵隔和气管支气管淋巴结中培养出来。通过逆转录酶（RT）-PCR对12种不同组织进行了麻疹病毒筛查，并通过免疫组织化学对选定组织进行了检测，但只有气管支气管淋巴结和脾脏通过RT-PCR呈阳性。观察到的病理结果可能是布鲁氏菌所致，但麻疹病毒可能在母体和幼崽的免疫抑制中起了关键作用。该个体的子宫内感染有力地支持了这两种病原体的垂直传播。
