Lobomycosis in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of lobomycosis, a mycotic infection of dolphins and humans caused by a yeastlike organism (Lacazia loboi), among dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon in Florida.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
146 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.


METHODS
Comprehensive health assessments of bottlenose dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon of Florida (n = 75) and in estuarine waters near Charleston, SC (71), were conducted during 2003 and 2004. Bottlenose dolphins were captured, examined, and released. Skin lesions were photographed and then biopsied. Tissue sections were stained with H&E and Gomori methenamine silver stains for identification of L. loboi.


RESULTS
9 of 30 (30%) dolphins captured in the southern portion of the Indian River Lagoon had lobomycosis, whereas none of the 45 dolphins captured in the northern portion of the lagoon or of the 71 dolphins captured near Charleston, SC, did. Affected dolphins had low serum alkaline phosphatase activities and high acute-phase protein concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that lobomycosis may be occurring in epidemic proportions among dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon. Localization of the disease to the southern portion of the lagoon, an area characterized by freshwater intrusion and lower salinity, suggests that exposure to environmental stressors may be contributing to the high prevalence of the disease, but specific factors are unknown. Because only dolphins and humans are naturally susceptible to infection, dolphins may represent a sentinel species for an emerging infectious disease.
Reif
John S
JS
Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, 5600 US 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA.
Mazzoil
Marilyn S
MS
McCulloch
Stephen D
SD
Varela
Rene A
RA
Goldstein
Juli D
JD
Fair
Patricia A
PA
Bossart
Gregory D
GD
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D050681:Bottle-Nosed Dolphin / Q000382:microbiology*; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010228:Paracoccidioides / Q000472:pathogenicity; D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance / Q000662:veterinary; D013022:South Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D010450:Endopeptidases; C087822:alkaline protease