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Escherichia coli Septicemia Associated with Lack of Maternally Acquired Immunity in a Bottlenose Dolphin Calf

Abstract

Stillbirth and neonatal mortality are substantial problems in captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The cause of these problems often is unknown. We report a case of Escherichia coli septicemia in a male 3-day-old bottlenose dolphin calf. Lesions included omphalitis, synovitis, and hepatic necrosis associated with the presence of Gram-negative bacilli. E. coli was isolated in pure culture from multiple organs. A serum gammaglobulin level of 1.5 g/L indicated a lack of maternally acquired immunity. The observed failure to nurse may have resulted from brain injury due to perinatal asphyxia. Evidence for perinatal asphyxia was the diffuse presence of a moderate amount of meconium in the lungs.

Key words: bacteriology; dolphins; Escherichia coli; maternally-acquired immunity; meconium; newborn animals; pathology; septicemia.

Request reprints from Dr. T Kuiken, Department of Virology, Erasmus Medical Center, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam (The Netherlands). E-mail: t.kuiken{at}erasmusmc.nl