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Biomedical subjects

W Van Bonn

Publications and source records attributed to W Van Bonn.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis neurona, and Sarcocystis canis-like infections in marine mammals.

Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis neurona, and S. canis are related protozoans that can cause mortality in many species of domestic and wild animals. Recently, T. gondii and S. neurona were recognized to cause encephalitis in marine mammals. As yet, there is no report of natural exposure of N. caninum in marine mammals. In the present study, antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum were assayed in sera of several species of marine mammals. For T. gondii, sera were diluted 1:25, 1:50, and 1:500 and assayed in the T. gondii modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies (MAT > or =1:25) to T. gondii were found in 89 of 115 (77%) dead, and 18 of 30 (60%) apparently healthy sea otters (Enhydra lutris), 51 of 311 (16%) Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), 19 of 45 (42%) sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) [corrected] 5 of 32 (16%) ringed seals (Phoca hispida), 4 of 8 (50%) bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus), 1 of 9 (11.1%) spotted seals (Phoca largha), 138 of 141 (98%) Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and 3 of 53 (6%) walruses (Odobenus rosmarus). For N. caninum, sera were diluted 1:40, 1:80, 1:160, and 1:320 and examined with the Neospora agglutination test (NAT) using mouse-derived tachyzoites. NAT antibodies were found in 3 of 53 (6%) walruses, 28 of 145 (19%) sea otters, 11 of 311 (3.5%) harbor seals, 1 of 27 (3.7%) sea lions, 4 of 32 (12.5%) ringed seals, 1 of 8 (12.5%) bearded seals, and 43 of 47 (91%) bottlenose dolphins. To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. caninum antibodies in any marine mammal, and the first report of T. gondii antibodies in walruses and in ringed, bearded, spotted, and ribbon seals. Current information on T. gondii-like and Sarcocystis-like infections in marine mammals is reviewed. New cases of clinical S. canis and T. gondii infections are also reported in sea lions, and T. gondii infection in an Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus).

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed2000

Epizootic vesicular disease in captive California sea lions.

An epizootic of vesicular disease occurred in a group of semi-domesticated California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) during the months of April and May 1997. Ten castrated mature male sea lions, ages 12 to 19 yr, were housed in three adjacent open-ocean net enclosures in San Diego Bay (California, USA). Four animals (40%) developed oral and extremity vesicles, anorexia, and were reluctant to perform learned behaviors. One animal developed vesicles but maintained a normal appetite and behavior. The remaining animals showed no clinical signs of infection. Virus (designated FADDL 7005) was isolated from four of the five animals that developed vesicles. Serum antibody titers to FADDL 7005, a previously untyped calicivirus, were demonstrated in animals that showed any combination of clinical signs and in two animals that did not show any clinical signs. No virus was isolated from five fecal samples collected from four of the group animals. Clinical signs lasted 4 to 20 days in affected animals. All affected animals recovered from infection. An experimental swine was inoculated with FADDL 7005 and developed vesicular disease, which was transmitted to another experimental swine upon contact. It is proposed that FADDL 7005 is a new San Miguel sea lion virus.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Effects of in vitro hemolysis on serum biochemistry values of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).

The effects of in vitro hemolysis on 23 biochemical analytes were assessed in sera from 14 clinically healthy Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Each serum sample was divided into three portions for analysis: 1) nonhemolyzed control; 2) moderate hemolysis, simulated by adding hemolyzed serum to a final concentration of approximately 150 mg/dl Hb; and 3) severe hemolysis, simulated by adding hemolyzed serum to a final concentration of approximately 500 mg/dl Hb. Moderate hemolysis resulted in statistically significant increases in the mean values of iron, lactate dehydrogenase, potassium, and uric acid and a decrease in creatinine (P < 0.001). Severe hemolysis resulted in statistically significant changes in the mean values of the above analytes in addition to the following increases: alanine aminotransferase, calcium, and serum globulins (P < 0.001) and albumin and total protein (P < 0.01). Total bilirubin and gamma glutamyl transferase levels were lower in the severely hemolyzed sample (P < 0.001). Differences in mean values for alkaline phosphatase between nonhemolyzed and hemolyzed serum were not significant but did show a downward trend in the hemolyzed sera. The presence and severity of hemolysis must be considered in the interpretation of the serum chemistry values.

Animals↗