Exposure of wild Caspian seals (Pusa caspica) to parasites, bacterial and viral pathogens, evaluated via molecular and serological assays

• DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2023.1087997
• Publication Date: 2023-04-17T12:48:51Z
• Authors: Aidyn Kydyrmanov; Kobey Karamendin; Yermukhammet Kass...; Marat Kumar; Shynar Mazkirat; Symbat Suleimenova; Mirgaliy Baimukanov; Ian M. Carr; Simon J. Goodman
• Keywords: Morbillivirus; Canine distemper

Disease surveillance of marine mammal populations is essential to understand the causes strandings, identify potential threats animal health, and support development conservation strategies. Here we report first large multi-pathogen screening prevalence for viruses, bacteria parasites in a sample 177 live, healthy, wild Caspian seals ( Pusa caspica ), captured released during satellite telemetry studies 2007-2017. Employing molecular serological assays assess pathogens known be significance health worldwide, evaluate results relation seal conservation. RT-PCR, PCR find evidence infection by Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), Phocine herpes virus, phocine adenovirus Influenza A at prevalences 5%, 6.4%, 21.7%, 4% respectively. The genomes CDV isolates collected 2008 showed 99.59% identity with 2000 epizootic strain. partial coding sequence Us2 gene from virus was identical PhHV-1 isolate PB84, previously reported harbor Phoca vitulina while amplicon sequences polymerase indicated novel ELISA detected exposure (55% tested samples), (25%), coronavirus (6%), (8%), (94%), Toxoplasma gondii (2.6%) heartworm (1%). Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests B 20%, Leptospira microscopic agglutination suspected serovars 9% samples. Overall, risks, profile appear comparable other phocid populations. Our suggest have pathways or ability cause significant morbidity, that disease impacts could reduce resilience population threats. are listed as Endangered International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN), recommend resources invested further programs how anthropogenic pressures may influence future risks. translated version this abstract available Russian Kazakh Supplementary Material (Presentation 1 Presentation 2)