Novel adenovirus detected in captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) suffering from self-limiting gastroenteritis

• DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0367-z
• Publication Date: 2015-03-06T00:15:59Z
• Authors: Consuelo Rubio-Gu...; Daniel García-Pár...; Elvira Nieto-Pele...; Mar Melero; Teresa Álvaro; Mónica Valls; Jose Crespo; Jose Sánchez-Vizc...
• Keywords: Adenovirus infection; Viremia

Adenoviruses are common pathogens in vertebrates, including humans. In marine mammals, adenovirus has been associated with fatal hepatitis sea lions. However, only rare cases have adenoviruses detected cetaceans, where no clear correlation was found between presence of the virus and disease status. A novel identified four captive bottlenose dolphins self-limiting gastroenteritis. Viral detection identification were achieved by: PCR-amplification from fecal samples; sequencing partial polymerase (pol) hexon genes; producing HeLa cells, PCR immunofluorescence detection, amplified pol gene fragments. causative role this for gastroenteritis suggested 1) we failed to identify other potential etiological agents; 2) exclusive seropositivity canine 1 2 sick dolphins, but not 10 healthy individuals same population; 3) disappeared feces after clinical signs receded. The sequences fragments genes closest those lions adenoviral hepatitis, a Genbank-deposited sequence obtained harbour porpoise. These data suggest that can cause dolphins. This infection be by serology material. Lack may reflect restricted tissue tropism or virulence compared Gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis supports origin affect mammals. Our findings need vigilance against wild dolphin populations.