After 20 years of neurobrucellosis in striped dolphins: What we learned
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| Autors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | artículo original |
| Estat: | Versión publicada |
| Data de publicació: | 2026 |
| Descripció: | Marine brucellosis, caused by Brucella ceti, is an emerging zoonosis affecting over 61 marine mammal species worldwide. Among them, cetaceans are particularly susceptible, presenting pathologies that closely mirror those seen in human brucellosis, including meningoencephalitis, abortion, orchitis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and placentitis. In Costa Rica, diagnosis in stranded cetaceans relies primarily on the serological detection of anti-Brucella antibodies, mainly against lipopolysaccharide antigens—using the Rose Bengal Test, iELISA, cELISA, and immunochromatographic assays. These are followed by bacterial isolation using CITA and Farrells media and genetic characterization of the isolations, as well as histopathology, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and CT Scan. This complete approach is limited in many countries and hampers the full char- acterization of the disease’s true impact on wildlife cetacean populations. From 2004 to 2024, 267 cetacean strandings occured. The most affected species included Striped dol-phin (Stenella coeruleoalba) (n=100), Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiop truncatus) (n=35), and Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) (n=34). A moderate positive trend in annual strandings was observed, with a 42% increase over two decades. Strandings were most frequent between July and October (45.76%), corresponding to the rainy season in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, with adults as the predominant age group (44.5%). Significant associations were found between strandings and suborder Odontoceti (n=192), and family Delphinidae (n=168). Among 82 cases tested for brucellosis 65 (79.27%) were serologically positive, and B. ceti was isolated in 53 of 74 (71.6%) animals. This study highlights the importance of cetacean strandings as sentinels for marine brucellosis surveillance, and these animals represent an opportunity for understanding the development of neurobrucellosis and other pathologies in humans that deserve further research. Also, improved diagnostic capabilities and integrated monitoring approaches are essential to assess disease burden, identify zoonotic risks, and guide marine conservation efforts in marine ecosystems. |
| Pais: | Portal de Revistas UNA |
| Institution: | Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica |
| Repositorio: | Portal de Revistas UNA |
| Idioma: | Inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:www.revistas.una.ac.cr:article/22718 |
| Accés en línia: | https://www.revistas.una.ac.cr/index.php/veterinaria/article/view/22718 |
| Paraula clau: | Brucella ceti Striped dolphin Bottlenose dolphin Humpback whale |