DAO

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

DAO is a hybrid research journal on all aspects of disease phenomena in aquatic organisms.

Online: ISSN 1616-1580

Print: ISSN 0177-5103

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao

Impact Factor1.2 (JCR 2025 release)

Article Acceptance Rate47.2% (2024)

Average Time in Review183 days (2024)

Total Annual Downloads631.257 (2025)

Volume contents
Dis Aquat Org 145:173-184 (2021)

Systemic Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in seven free-ranging delphinids stranded in England and Wales

ABSTRACT: Microbiology records for 1127 cetaceans stranded on English and Welsh beaches and examined at the Institute of Zoology between 1990 and 2019 were reviewed to identify cases of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, an uncommon but potentially fatal zoonotic pathogen. Once cases were identified, prevalence was calculated, corresponding postmortem reports were reviewed, common gross and histopathological findings were identified, and antibiotic susceptibilities were determined. Overall prevalence for E. rhusiopathiae was 0.62% (7/1127; 95% CI: 0.30-1.28%). It was isolated from 3 bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, 3 harbor porpoises Phocoena phocoena, and 1 short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis, with a prevalence of 21.4% (3/14; 95% CI: 7.6-47.9%), 0.39% (3/779; 95% CI: 0.13-1.13%), and 0.47% (1/212; 95% CI: 0.08-2.62%) for each species, respectively. E. rhusiopathiae resulted in septicemia in all cases from which it was isolated. Gross necropsy findings included pulmonary edema (5/7), hemorrhage (5/7) and/or congestion of various organs (4/7), and serosanguineous effusion (3/7; pericardial: 3/7, pleural: 2/6, abdominal: 2/6). Congestion (5/5), bacterial emboli (4/5), and hemorrhage (4/5) were commonly observed on histopathology, and acute renal tubular injury (2/5) and pulmonary edema (2/5) were occasionally observed. Routine bacterial cultures were vital in identifying E. rhusiopathiae, since gross lesions were often subtle and nonspecific. The liver, kidney, and brain were key organs from which E. rhusiopathiae was consistently isolated. Antibiotic resistance was uncommon and was only observed for amikacin and trimethoprim sulfonamide. Penicillins were consistently effective, along with fluoroquinolones, macrolides, clindamycin, cephalexin, and oxytetracycline.

KEYWORDS

Mary Elizabeth Ceccolini (Corresponding Author)

  • Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, Outer Circle, London NW1 4RY, UK
  • Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK
mceccolini@yahoo.com

Mark Wessels (Co-author)

  • Finn Pathologists, Harleston IP20 9EB, UK

Shaheed Karl Macgregor (Co-author)

  • Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, Outer Circle, London NW1 4RY, UK

Robert Deaville (Co-author)

  • Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK

Matthew Perkins (Co-author)

  • Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK

Paul D. Jepson (Co-author)

  • Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK

Shinto Kunjamma John (Co-author)

  • Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK

Amanda Guthrie (Co-author)

  • Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, Outer Circle, London NW1 4RY, UK