NEUROPATHOLOGIC FINDINGS IN CETACEANS STRANDED IN ITALY (2002-14)

作者：Pintore Maria Domenica; Mignone Walter; Di Guardo Giovanni; Mazzariol Sandro; Ballardini Marco; Florio Caterina Lucia; Goria Maria; Romano Angelo; Caracappa Santo; Giorda Federica; Serracca Laura; Pautasso Alessandra; Tittarelli Cristiana; Petrella Antonio; Lucifora Giuseppe; Di Nocera Fabio; Degli Uberti Barbara; Corona Cristiano; Casalone Cristina; Iulini Barbara^*

来源：Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2018, 54(2): 295-303.

DOI：10.7589/2017-02-035

• Brucella spp.
• marine mammals
• morbillivirus
• neuropathology
• stranding
• Toxoplasma gondii

We summarized the neuropathologic findings in 60 cetaceans stranded along the Italian coastline from 2002 to 2014. The following neuropathologic changes were detected in 45% (27/60) of animals: nonsuppurative meningo-encephalitides (30%, 18/60), nonspecific lesions (12%, 7/60), suppurative encephalitis (2%, 1/60), and neoplasm (2%, 1/60). No histologic lesions were found in 47% (28/60) of the specimens. Five (8%, 5/60) samples were unsuitable for analysis. Analysis with PCR detected Brucella spp., morbillivirus, and Toxoplasma gondii infection in one, six, and seven individuals, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed positivity for morbillivirus and for T. gondii infection in three cases each. No evidence of the scrapie-associated prion protein PrPSc was detected. Our findings underscore the importance of an adequate surveillance system for monitoring aquatic mammal pathologies and for protecting both animal and human health.

• 出版日期2018-4