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Biomedical subjects

F M Gulland

Publications and source records attributed to F M Gulland.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Evaluation of an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for demonstration of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in the sea otter (Enhydra lutris).

An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection was validated using serum from 77 necropsied southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) whose T. gondii infection status was determined through immunohistochemistry and parasite isolation in cell culture. Twenty-eight otters (36%) were positive for T. gondii by immunohistochemistry or parasite isolation or both, whereas 49 (64%) were negative by both tests. At a cutoff of 1:320, combined values for IFAT sensitivity and specificity were maximized at 96.4 and 67.3%, respectively. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for the IFAT was 0.84. A titer of 1:320 was used as cutoff when screening serum collected from live-sampled sea otters from California (n = 80), Washington (n = 21), and Alaska (n = 65) for T. gondii infection. Thirty-six percent (29 out of 80) of California sea otters (E. lutris nereis) and 38% (8 out of 21) of Washington sea otters (E. lutris kenyoni) were seropositive for T. gondii, compared with 0% (0 out of 65) of Alaskan sea otters (E. lutris kenyoni).

Alaska↗
PubMed2001

Current prevalence of adult Uncinaria spp. in northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) and California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) pups on San Miguel Island, California, with notes on the biology of these hookworms.

A prevalence survey for hookworms (Uncinaria spp.) was done in northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) and California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) pups on San Miguel Island, CA, in 2000. Intestines of dead pups were examined for adult hookworms in July. These parasites were found in 95% of 20 fur seal pups and 100% of 31 sea lion pups. The number of hookworms varied from 4 to 2142 (mean = 760) in fur seal pups and from 20 to 2634 (mean = 612) in sea lion pups. A direct relationship was evident between body condition and number of hookworms in the pups; that is, pups in poor condition had fewer hookworms than those in good condition. There was a decline in the number of hookworms in sea lion pups in 2000 compared to collections in 1996. Eggs of Uncinaria spp. were found in rectal feces (collected in late September and early October) of none of 35 (0%) live fur seal pups and 41 of 48 (85%) live sea lion pups. Packed cell volume values, determined for most of the same live pups, were essentially normal for C. ursinus but were much lower than normal for most Z. californianus. Hookworm larvae were not found in blubber of fur seal and sea lion pups or in rookery sand in July. Rookery sand, positive for live hookworm larvae when put in a refrigerator, was negative at removal 2.5 years later. The average number of eggs in utero of female hookworms was 285 for three specimens from a fur seal pup and 281 from three specimens from a sea lion pup. One hookworm larva was recovered from milk stripped from the teats of a stranded Z. californianus female at The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA.

Ancylostomatoidea↗
PubMed2001

Humoral immune responses to phocine herpesvirus-1 in Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsii) during an outbreak of clinical disease.

Infection with phocine herpesvirus type-1 (PHV-1) has been associated with morbidity and high mortality in neonatal harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). A PHV-1 specific indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to sequentially measure the serological status of 106 harbor seal neonates admitted to a Pacific coast rehabilitation center (total number of sera tested was 371). Early in the season (February-April), the majority of pups had low serum levels of PHV-1 specific antibody. A dramatic increase in PHV-1 specific antibody, involving the majority of hospitalized pups, was observed during a 4-week period in May. This coincided with a high incidence of PHV-1 associated adrenal lesions and mortality. Although there was overall agreement between the timing of seroconversion to PHV-1 and histological evidence of PHV-1 infection, 82.4% of individual pups with adrenalitis had no evidence of a humoral response to PHV-1 at the time of their death. This suggests either a rapid disease course, or an inability to develop a humoral response in some neonatal seals.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Isolation and characterization of two parasitic protozoa from a Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) with meningoencephalomyelitis.

Two species of protozoans were isolated from a harbor seal with fatal meninogoencephalitis. Serologic reactivity was detected to both Sarcocystis neurona and Toxoplasma gondii. Parasites associated with brain inflammation and necrosis reacted only with immunohistochemical stains utilizing polyclonal antisera raised against Sarcocystis neurona. However, 2 distinct parasites were observed in cell cultures derived from the seal's brain tissue. These parasites were separated by mouse passage and limiting dilution. Purified zoites from 1 isolate (HS1) reacted strongly with polyclonal antiserum to S. neurona and with the harbor seal's own serum (1:2,560 for each) on indirect immunofluorescent antibody tests (IFAT), but weakly to antisera to T. gondii and Neospora caninum (1:40). Zoites from the second isolate (HS2) reacted positively with T. gondii polyclonal antiserum (1:81,920) and with the harbor seal's own serum (1:640), but weakly to S. neurona and N. caninum antisera (1:80 or less). Amplification and sequence analysis of protozoal DNA encoding portions of the 18s ribosomal RNA (18s rDNA) and the adjacent first internal transcribed spacer (ITSI) were performed for both isolates, and resulting sequences were compared to those from similar protozoans. Based on molecular characterization, parasite morphology, serologic reactivity, histology, and immunohistochemistry, HS1 was indistinguishable from S. neurona, and HS2 was indistinguishable from T. gondii.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Use of medetomidine-zolazepam-tiletamine with and without atipamezole reversal to immobilize captive California sea lions.

From June 1998 to August 1999, 39 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) were immobilized at a rehabilitation center in northern California (USA) using medetomidine plus zolazepam and tiletamine (MZT), alone and in combination with isoflurane, with atipamezole reversal. Animals were given 70 microg/kg medetomidine with 1 mg/kg of a 1:1 solution of tiletamine and zolazepam intramuscularly. Mean (+/-SD) time to maximal effect was 5+/-3 min. At the end of the procedure, animals were given 200 microg/kg atipamezole intramuscularly. Immobilization and recovery times were, respectively, 28+/-18 and 9+/-7 min for 15 animals maintained with MZT alone and 56+/-47 and 9+/-6 min for 18 animals intubated and maintained with isoflurane. One mortality occurred during anesthesia. Other disadvantages of the MZT combination included some prolonged ataxia, weakness and disorientation during recovery. However, the use of MZT resulted in faster induction and a more reliable plane of anesthesia that was reversible with atipamezole and safer than other previously used intramuscular agents. Physiological parameters including heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, pulse oximeter saturation, and end-tidal carbon dioxide were monitored.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed2000

Prey, parasites and pathology associated with the mortality of a juvenile gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) stranded along the northern California coast.

An eastern Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) stranded off Pelican Point, Tomales Bay, California, USA, was examined for physiological parameters, prey, parasites and associated pathology. The whale was emaciated, and hematological examination revealed an elevation in hematocrit, serum sodium, potassium, electrolyte values and hypoglycemia. Parasites recovered included 5 species, 1 ectoparasite (Cyamus scammoni), and 4 helminths (Anisakis simplex, Ogmogaster antarcticus, Ogmogaster pentalineatus, Bolbosoma balanae) with the latter causing multifocal transmural abscesses. Histological examination indicated severe acute lung congestion, minimal, multifocal, lymphocytic, interstitial myocarditis, and mild hepatocellular and Kupffer cell hemosiderosis. The prey taxa present in the stomach indicated the whale was feeding on hard bottom communities prior to death.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Amoxicillin pharmacokinetics in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) following single dose intravenous administration: implications for interspecific dose scaling.

The pharmacokinetics of sodium amoxicillin after a single intravenous dose of 20 mg/kg were determined in ten harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and ten northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). The seals ranged in age from 1 to 6 months and the mean weights were 11.7 kg (range, 9.5-18.5 kg) for harbor seals and 47.1 kg (range, 39.5-61.4 kg) for elephant seals. The median half-life of amoxicillin (quartiles) in harbor seals, 1.5 (1.0-3.1) h. was not statistically different from that of elephant seals, 2.0 (1.4-3.8) h, nor were the differences between the terminal elimination rate constants between the two species. The only statistically significant differences between species were for area-under-the-curve (AUC), and total systemic clearance. The lack of statistical significance for differences in the volume of distribution at steady-state (Vss) may have been due to minor differences in the time frame of data collection and dose administered between the two groups. A true physiologic difference in drug handling, possibly related to renal perfusion or tubal secretory efficiency could affect amoxicillin kinetics in these species, and longer administration intervals may be appropriate for elephant seals as compared to harbor seals when administering multiple dose amoxicillin therapy at 20 mg/kg.

Amoxicillin↗
PubMed2000

Common metastatic carcinoma of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus): evidence of genital origin and association with novel gammaherpesvirus.

Tissues from 10 adult California sea lions (Zalophus californianus, seven females and three males) that had metastatic carcinoma in sublumbar area lymph nodes were examined histologically. A distinctive epithelial proliferative lesion interpreted as intraepithelial neoplasia was found in genital tracts of all ten animals; in vagina (5/7), cervix (7/7), uterus (3/7), penis (3/3) and prepuce (3/3). Intraepithelial neoplasia closely resembled metastatic carcinomas and was directly contiguous with invasive carcinoma in one animal. Rare eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were found in penile and preputial intraepithelial neoplasia (one animal), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (one animal), invasive cervical carcinoma (one animal) and metastatic carcinoma (two animals). Electron microscopic examination of tissues from two sea lions (one with intraepithelial neoplasia and one with metastatic carcinoma) demonstrated viral particles consistent with a herpesvirus. An immunohistochemical stain for the latent membrane protein of Epstein-Barr virus was positive in intraepithelial neoplasia in one sea lion. Herpesvirus DNA sequences were detected by consensus primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in metastatic carcinomas from all four sea lions from which unfixed tumor samples were available. Results of sequencing were consistent with a novel gammaherpesvirus in the genus Rhadinovirus. DNA extracted from the four metastatic carcinomas also was tested for papillomavirus by Southern blot and PCR with consensus papillomavirus primers; all samples were negative by both methods. These findings support the genital origin of the sea lion carcinoma and implicate a novel gammaherpesvirus as a possible cause.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Comparative biology of Uncinaria spp. in the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) in California.

Studies on several aspects of the life cycle of hookworms (Uncinaria spp.) in the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) were conducted on material collected on San Miguel Island (SMI), California and at The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, California in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Examination of Z. californianus intestines for adult hookworms and feces for eggs revealed that longevity of these parasites in pups is about 6-8 mo, and infections are probably not present in older sea lions. Parasitic third-stage larvae (L3) were recovered from the ventral abdominal tissue of Z. californianus, suggesting transmammary transmission. Callorhinus ursinus pups had no hookworm eggs in their feces or adult worms (except for 1 probable contaminant) in their intestines in the fall and early winter, revealing that adult Uncinaria spp. are spontaneously lost at <3 mo of age of the pups. Sand samples from rookeries, used by both Z. californianus and C. ursinus, on SMI were negative for free-living, L3 in summer months but positive in fall and winter months, indicating seasonality occurred.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

Immobilization of California sea lions using medetomidine plus ketamine with and without isoflurane and reversal with atipamezole.

The use of medetomidine and ketamine, alone and in combination with isoflurane, with atipamezole reversal was evaluated for immobilizing 51 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) for a variety of medical procedures at a rehabilitation center in northern California (USA) between May 1997 and August 1998. Animals were given 140 microg/kg medetomidine with 2.5 mg/kg ketamine intramuscularly. Mean (+/-SD) time to maximal effect was 8+/-5 min. At the end of the procedure, animals were given 200 microg/kg atipamezole intramuscularly. Immobilization and recovery times were, respectively, 25+/-12 and 9+/-7 min for 35 animals maintained with medetomidine and ketamine alone and 58+/-30 and 9+/-9 min for 16 animals intubated and maintained with isoflurane. No mortalities occurred as a result of the immobilizations. Disadvantages of the medetomidine and ketamine combination included a moderate variation in time to maximal effect and plane of sedation, a large injection volume and high cost. However, this combination offers safe and reversible immobilization that can be easily administered by the intramuscular route and that produces a plane of anesthesia that is sufficient to carry out most routine diagnostic procedures.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1998

Antigenic and nucleotide characterization of a herpesvirus isolated from Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsii).

This report describes the antigenic and nucleotide characterization of a herpes-like virus that has been isolated from the adrenal tissues of neonatal Pacific harbor seals. Infection with this virus has been previously implicated as a major cause of death of animals undergoing rehabilitation. Comparison and phylogenetic analysis of sequenced fragments of the DNA polymerase, glycoprotein B and glycoprotein D genes, and immunofluorescence assay using herpesvirus-specific monoclonal antibodies, demonstrated close similarity of the Pacific harbor seal herpesvirus to European isolates of phocid herpesvirus-1 (PHV-1) and other alpha-herpesviruses affecting terrestrial carnivores.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1998

Leptospirosis in rehabilitated Pacific harbor seals from California.

Renal disease was observed in two rehabilitated Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsii) from a facility in California (USA). The seals had leukocytosis and high serum phosphorus, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations. A retrospective study of leptospiral antibody serum titers indicated both seals had elevated titers to Leptospira interrogans serovar grippotyphosa. A third seal, which died about the time when the index cases occurred, also had elevated titers to L. interrogans serovar grippotyphosa. Post mortem histopathologic examination of all three seals showed tubular necrosis consistent with interstitial nephritis; spirochetes were seen within the kidney parenchyma of the third seal. Sea lions (Zalophus californianus) or elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) housed near the harbor seals were possible sources of exposure, but local wildlife also could have been responsible.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Bacterial isolates from California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) admitted to a rehabilitation center along the central California coast, 1994-1995.

In 2 yr of bacteriologic culturing of 297 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), 154 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and 89 northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) stranded alive along the California coast, the most frequent isolates from inflammatory lesions in live animals were Escherichia coli, Streptococcus viridans, Listeria ivanovii, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus spp., and Enterococcus spp. This is the first report of L. ivanovii isolation from a marine mammal. The common isolates from lung and liver in animals dying during rehabilitation were E. coli, Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp., Proteus spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. The most common isolates from brain were Enterococcus spp., E. coli, Klebsiella spp., and Pseudomonas spp. Ocular lesions were seen most often in harbor seals and elephant seals, from which the isolates cultured included Pseudomonas spp., Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus viridans, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus spp., Morganella morganii, Moraxella spp., beta-hemolytic Streptococcus spp., and L. ivanovii. Nine different Salmonella serotypes were isolated from 49 animals; S. newport was the most common. These results should enable those working clinically with these species to make logical decisions in choosing initial antimicrobial therapy.

Abscess↗
PubMed1998

Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated from pinnipeds stranded in central and northern California.

Over a 2-yr period (1994-1995), the antimicrobial susceptibilities of 129 bacterial isolates recovered from live stranded California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) were studied. Nineteen genera of bacteria were isolated from various sites of inflammation; abscesses and umbilici were the most common sites. Seventy-two percent of the bacterial isolated were gram negative, and the Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp.) accounted for 75% of the gram-negative isolates. All of the gram-positive isolates were either Enterococcus spp. or Staphylococcus aureus. Multiple drug resistance was present in all but one of the bacterial isolates. The gram-positive bacteria were most susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (77% of 36 isolates) and least susceptible to lincomycin (18% of 11 isolates). The gram-negative bacteria were most susceptible to amikacin (91% of 91 isolates) and least susceptible to clindamycin (3% of 109 isolates).

Abscess↗
PubMed1998

Meningoencephalitis due to a Sarcocystis neurona-like protozoan in Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi).

Seven Pacific harbor seals with meningoencephalitis associated with Sarcocystis neurona-like protozoa are described. Six of the 7 seals were free-ranging and were found stranded over an 80-km stretch of central California coastline; the other was captive. All had marked to severe nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis, most severe in the cerebellar cortex. Immunohistochemistry for S. neurona antigens was positive on brain tissue in all cases, revealing numerous merozoites as well as developing and mature schizonts, including rosette forms. Electron microscopy performed on 3 animals revealed merozoites and schizonts consistent with Sarcocystis sp., with the absence of rhoptries in merozoites, lack of a parasitophorous vacuole around schizonts, and division by endopolygeny. Serology using western blotting revealed the presence of anti-S. neurona immunoglobulins in the sera of 4 of 5 seals tested. Four animals also had a concurrent mild to moderate nonsuppurative myocarditis; in 1 seal, rare sarcocysts of undetermined species were present within cardiomyocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Congenital defects in northern elephant seals stranded along the central California coast.

Eleven cases of congenital anomalies were identified in 210 (5%) juvenile northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) found stranded along the central California (USA) coast from 1 January 1988 to 31 December 1995. Seven individuals had mild-to-moderate hydrocephalus involving the lateral ventricles bilaterally, or the lateral and third ventricles. Two animals had severe cardiac anomalies: hypoplasia of the right ventricle with overriding aorta, and ventricular septal defect. Other anomalies included single cases of hydronephrosis, focal pulmonary dysplasia, and congenital epidermal angiomatosis. Common intercurrent disease processes were verminous pneumonia and arteritis, verminous enteritis and coliti, and splenic and hepatic hemosiderosis. The more severe anomalies were considered to be the cause of debilitation and stranding. Milder anomalies were found incidentally during routine gross necropsy and histopathologic examination.

Angiomatosis↗