Evidence of Helicobacter sp. in dental plaque of captive dolphins (Tursiops gephyreus).
Gastrointestinal lesions have been extensively reported in wild and captive marine mammals. However, their etiology remains unclear. In humans and other animals, chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers have been associated with Helicobacter sp. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the presence of Helicobacter sp. in the gastric juice, dental plaque, and saliva of marine mammals living in a controlled environment. Five dolphins (Tursiops gephyreus), one killer whale (Orcinus orca), one false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), three sea lions (Otaria flavescens), two elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), and two fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) were studied. Saliva, dental plaque, and gastric juice samples were examined for Helicobacter sp. using polymerase chain reaction. None of the gastric juice or saliva samples were positive for Helicobacter sp. However, Helicobacter sp. DNA was detected in dental plaque from two dolphins, suggesting the oral cavity might be a reservoir of this bacterium.
Goldman
Cinthia G
CG
Radioisotope Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. cgold@ffyb.uba.ar
Loureiro
Julio D
JD
Quse
Viviana
V
Corach
Daniel
D
Calderon
Enrique
E
Caro
Ricardo A
RA
Boccio
José
J
Rodríguez Heredia
Sergio
S
Di Carlo
Maria B
MB
Zubillaga
Marcela B
MB
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004289:Dolphins; D005260:Female; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D016998:Helicobacter / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D046048:Seals, Earless
D004269:DNA, Bacterial