Isolation of Brucella ceti from a Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas) and a Sowerby's Beaked Whale (Mesoploden bidens).
Brucella ceti is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that has been recovered from several species of cetaceans in the world's oceans over the past 20 yr. We report the recovery of B. ceti from a Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoploden bidens) and a long-finned pilot whale (Globicehala melas). Recovery from the testis of a long-finned pilot whale provides further evidence of potential for B. ceti infection to impact the reproductive success of cetaceans, many of which are threatened species. The addition of another two cetacean species to the growing number from which B. ceti has been recovered also further emphasizes the concern for human infections with this organism.
1  Scottish Agricultural College Consulting Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness IV2 4JZ, UK.
Geoffrey
G
Foster
2  Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
Adrian M
AM
Whatmore
3  Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK.
Mark P
MP
Dagleish
3  Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK.
Johanna L
JL
Baily
4  Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK.
Rob
R
Deaville
1  Scottish Agricultural College Consulting Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness IV2 4JZ, UK.
Nicholas J
NJ
Davison
2  Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
Mark S
MS
Koylass
2  Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
Lorraine L
LL
Perrett
2  Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
Emma J
EJ
Stubberfield
1  Scottish Agricultural College Consulting Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness IV2 4JZ, UK.
Robert J
RJ
Reid
1  Scottish Agricultural College Consulting Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness IV2 4JZ, UK.
Andrew C
AC
Brownlow
D000818:Animals; D002002:Brucella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014907:Whales
Brucella ceti; Globicephala melas; Mesoploden bidens; brucellosis; multilocus sequence typing; whales