title: Brucella pinnipedialis hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) strain in the mouse model with concurrent exposure to PCB 153.
abstract: Brucellosis, a worldwide zoonosis, is linked to reproductive problems in primary hosts. A high proportion of Brucella-positive hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) have been detected in the declined Northeast Atlantic stock. High concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have also been discovered in top predators in the Arctic, including the hooded seal, PCB 153 being most abundant. The aim of this study was to assess the pathogenicity of Brucella pinnipedialis hooded seal strain in the mouse model and to evaluate the outcome of Brucella spp. infection after exposure of mice to PCB 153. BALB/c mice were infected with B. pinnipedialis hooded seal strain or Brucella suis 1330, and half from each group was exposed to PCB 153 through the diet. B. pinnipedialis showed a reduced pathogenicity in the mouse model as compared to B. suis 1330. Exposure to PCB 153 affected neither the immunological parameters, nor the outcome of the infection. Altogether this indicates that it is unlikely that B. pinnipedialis contribute to the decline of hooded seals in the Northeast Atlantic.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian University of Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section for Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Stakkevolleveien 23, 9010 Tromsø, Norway; Member of the Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway. Electronic address: ingebjorg.h.nymo@uit.no.
authors.forename: Ingebjørg H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Nymo
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ullevålsveien 68, Pb 750 Sentrum, N-0106 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Carlos G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: das Neves
authors.affiliation: Norwegian University of Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section for Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Stakkevolleveien 23, 9010 Tromsø, Norway; Member of the Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tryland
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Arctic Ecology Department, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway; Member of the Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Bård-Jørgen
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Bårdsen
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Veterinária, Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinária, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627 Pampulha, 30161-970 Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renato Lima
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Veterinária, Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinária, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627 Pampulha, 30161-970 Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andreia Pereira
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Turchetti
authors.affiliation: Norwegian University of Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Animal Welfare Research Group, Postboks 8146 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Janczak
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ullevålsveien 68, Pb 750 Sentrum, N-0106 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Berit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Djønne
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Contaminants in Aquatic Environments, Gaustadalléen 21, NO-0349 Oslo, Norway; Norwegian University of Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Postboks 8146 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lie
authors.affiliation: Norwegian University of Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Postboks 8146 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Vidar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.affiliation: Norwegian University of Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section for Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Stakkevolleveien 23, 9010 Tromsø, Norway; Member of the Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Godfroid
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D002002:Brucella / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009664:Norway; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity*; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000382:microbiology; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; C014024:2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl
keywords: BALB/c; Brucella spp.; Cell mediated immunity; Immunoglobulins; Immunology; In vivo; Pathogenicity; Persistent organic pollutants