Occlusive fungal tracheitis in 4 captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Veterinary Pathology
M A DelaneyM J Kinsel

Abstract

Respiratory disease is common in dolphins, primarily affecting pulmonary parenchyma and sparing large airways. Over a 10-year period, 4 captive adult bottlenose dolphins succumbed to chronic, progressive respiratory disease with atypical recurrent upper respiratory signs. All dolphins had severe, segmental to circumferential fibrosing tracheitis that decreased luminal diameter. Histologically, tracheal cartilage, submucosa, and mucosa were distorted and replaced by extensive fibrosis and pyogranulomatous inflammation centered on fungal hyphae. In 3 of 4 cases, hyphae were morphologically compatible with Aspergillus spp and confirmed by culture in 2 cases. Amplification of fungal DNA from tracheal tissue was successful in one case, and sequences had approximately 98% homology to Aspergillus fumigatus. The remaining case had fungi compatible with zygomycetes; however, culture and polymerase chain reaction were unsuccessful. Lesions were evaluated immunohistochemically using antibodies specific to Aspergillus spp. Aspergillus-like hyphae labeled positively, while presumed zygomycetes did not. These cases represent a novel manifestation of respiratory mycoses in bottlenose dolphins.

References

Sep 1, 1991·The American Review of Respiratory Disease·M R KramerJ Theodore
Nov 1, 1995·Journal of Clinical Microbiology·G S SandhuG D Roberts
Jan 1, 1996·Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation : Official Publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·H E JensenP L Frandsen
Feb 5, 2002·Journal of Clinical Microbiology·W George MillerSam H Ridgway
Jul 16, 2009·Applied Immunohistochemistry & Molecular Morphology : AIMM·Audrey N Schuetz, Cynthia Cohen
Aug 20, 2009·Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·N WuX-P Yao

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Citations

Apr 14, 2016·Diseases of Aquatic Organisms·Denise McAlooseMarcela M Uhart
Oct 5, 2016·Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation : Official Publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·Stephen E CassleThomas B Waltzek
Sep 22, 2021·Veterinary Medicine and Science·Lingling ChangDewen Tong

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCR

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Aspergillosis

Aspergillosis is the name given to a wide variety of diseases caused by infection by fungi of the genus Aspergillus. Aspergillosis occurs in chronic or acute forms which are clinically very distinct. Most cases of acute aspergillosis occur in patients with severely compromised immune systems. Chronic colonization or infection can cause complications in people with underlying respiratory illnesses. Discover the latest research on aspergillosis here.

Aspergillosis (ASM)

Aspergillosis is the name given to a wide variety of diseases caused by infection by fungi of the genus Aspergillus. Aspergillosis occurs in chronic or acute forms which are clinically very distinct. Most cases of acute aspergillosis occur in patients with severely compromised immune systems. Chronic colonization or infection can cause complications in people with underlying respiratory illnesses. Discover the latest research on aspergillosis here.

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