title: Brucella antibody seroprevalence in Antarctic seals (Arctocephalus gazella, Leptonychotes weddellii and Mirounga leonina).
abstract: Brucellosis is a worldwide infectious zoonotic disease caused by Gram-negative bacteria of the genus Brucella, and Brucella infections in marine mammals were first reported in 1994. A serosurvey investigating the presence of anti-Brucella antibodies in 3 Antarctic pinniped species was undertaken with a protein A/G indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) and the Rose Bengal test (RBT). Serum samples from 33 Weddell seals Leptonychotes weddelli were analysed, and antibodies were detected in 8 individuals (24.2%) with the iELISA and in 21 (65.6%) with the RBT. We tested 48 southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina sera and detected antibodies in 2 animals (4.7%) with both the iELISA and the RBT. None of the 21 Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella was found positive. This is the first report of anti-Brucella antibodies in southern elephant seals. The potential impact of Brucella infection in pinnipeds in Antarctica is not known, but Brucella spp. are known to cause abortion in terrestrial species and cetaceans. Our findings suggest that Brucella infection in pinnipeds is present in the Antarctic, but to date B. pinnipedialis has not been isolated from any Antarctic pinniped species, leaving the confirmation of infection pending.
authors.affiliation: Section for Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Stakkevollveien 23, 9010 Tromsø, Norway; member of the Fram Centre - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Silje-Kristin
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Ingebjørg Helena
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Nymo
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Forcada
authors.forename: Ailsa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Godfroid
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000864:Antarctic Regions / Q000453:epidemiology; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002002:Brucella / Q000276:immunology*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010872:Caniformia
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial