title: The occurrence of Mycoplasma phocicerebrale, Mycoplasma phocidae, and Mycoplasma phocirhinis in grey and common seals (Halichoerus grypus and Phoca vitulina) in the United Kingdom.
abstract: Following the isolation of Mycoplasma phocicerebrale from the flipper wound of a grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) in Cornwall, UK, surveillance for Mycoplasma species was extended to include other seals rescued or found dead around the UK. Mycoplasma phocicerebrale was frequently detected from the teeth of seals and from infected wounds and respiratory tracts. Mycoplasma phocirhinis, Mycoplasma phocidae, and some unidentified Mycoplasma species were also detected. Mycoplasma phocicerebrale and M. phocidae were the only bacteria consistently identified from the wound infections, but their role in respiratory and other diseases remains unknown, as other bacteria were also isolated from respiratory sites.
authors: Mycoplasma Group, Veterinary Laboratories Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK. r.d.ayling@vla.defra.gsi.gov.uk
authors: Roger D
authors: RD
authors: Ayling
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Bashiruddin
authors: Nicholas J
authors: NJ
authors: Davison
authors: Geoffrey
authors: G
authors: Foster
authors: Mark P
authors: MP
authors: Dagleish
authors: Robin A J
authors: RA
authors: Nicholas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D046049:Phoca / Q000382:microbiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000382:microbiology; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000382:microbiology*; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance / Q000662:veterinary; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary