title: Otariodibacter oris and Bisgaardia genomospecies 1 isolated from infections in pinnipeds.
abstract: We document the first associations of two recently described species of Pasteurellaceae bacteria with lesions in wild pinnipeds in rehabilitation. Samples were collected from nine lesions in four California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and two Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) during necropsy or admission examinations at a rehabilitation facility in northern California. Seven Pasteurellaceae isolates were identified using phenotypic tests and partial rpoB gene sequencing. Six strains of Otariodibacter oris were isolated from California sea lions. Otariodibacter oris was isolated in pure culture from four abscesses, an affected lymph node, and a bone lesion consistent with osteomyelitis. Otariodibacter oris was also cultured with Arcanobacterium phocae and β-hemolytic streptococci. A pure culture of Bisgaardia genomospecies 1 was obtained from an abscess in a harbor seal. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that O. oris has been associated with infection. Isolation of these bacteria in pure culture from abscesses and osteomyelitis strongly indicates a pathogenic potential of this organism. Likewise, the isolation of Bisgaardia genomospecies 1 in pure culture from an abscess in a harbor seal implies causality.
authors.affiliation: Center for Zoo and Wild Animal Health, Copenhagen Zoo, Roskildevej 32, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mie Johanne
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Mads Frost
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bertelsen
authors.forename: Martha Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Delaney
authors.forename: Vanessa Ashley
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Fravel
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gulland
authors.forename: Anders Miki
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bojesen
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D010872:Caniformia / Q000382:microbiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D015661:Pasteurellaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016871:Pasteurellaceae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D046049:Phoca / Q000382:microbiology; D046070:Sea Lions / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: Bisgaardia; California sea lion; Otariodibacter oris; Pasteurellaceae; harbor seal; infection; pinnipeds