Escherichia coli septicemia associated with lack of maternally acquired immunity in a bottlenose dolphin calf.
Stillbirth and neonatal mortality are substantial problems in captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The cause of these problems often is unknown. We report a case of Escherichia coli septicemia in a male 3-day-old bottlenose dolphin calf. Lesions included omphalitis, synovitis, and hepatic necrosis associated with the presence of Gram-negative bacilli. E. coli was isolated in pure culture from multiple organs. A serum gammaglobulin level of 1.5 g/L indicated a lack of maternally acquired immunity. The observed failure to nurse may have resulted from brain injury due to perinatal asphyxia. Evidence for perinatal asphyxia was the diffuse presence of a moderate amount of meconium in the lungs.
van Elk
C E
CE
Department of Virology, Erasmus Medical Center, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
van Dep Bildt
M W G
MW
Martina
B E E
BE
Osterhaus
A D M E
AD
Kuiken
T
T
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D050681:Bottle-Nosed Dolphin / Q000276:immunology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired / Q000276:immunology; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male