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Isolation of Brucella species from cetaceans, seals and an otter
Author(s) -
Foster G.,
Jahans K. L.,
Reid R. J.,
Ross H. M.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.138.24.583
Subject(s) - otter , lutra , biology , zoology , elephant seal , anatomy , fishery
Brucella organisms which differed from the recognised species of the genus, were isolated from nine seals, eight cetaceans and one otter. A method is described for the isolation of Brucella species from sea mammals and the first isolations of Brucella species are recorded from an Atlantic white‐sided dolphin ( Lagenorhynchus acutus ), two striped dolphins ( Stenella coeuleoalba ), a hooded seal ( Cystophora cristata ), a grey seal ( Halichoerus grypus ) and a European otter ( Lutra lutra ). There were differences in the culture media required for the primary isolation of the organisms and in their dependency on carbon dioxide. Subcutaneous lesions, when present, always yielded a confluent growth. The organisms were isolated from seven of 14 spleen samples and also from the mammary glands, uterus, testes and blood and the mandibular, gastric, iliac, sub‐lumbar and colorectal lymph nodes.