New recognition of Enterovirus infections in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Vet Microbiol. 2009 Oct 20;139(1-2):170-5. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.05.010. Epub 2009 Jun 6.

Abstract

An enterovirus was cultured from an erosive tongue lesion of a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). The morphology of virions on negative staining electron microscopy was consistent with those of enteroviruses. Analysis of 2613 bp of the polyprotein gene identified the isolate as a novel enterovirus strain, tentatively named bottlenose dolphin enterovirus (BDEV), that nests within the species Bovine enterovirus. Serologic evidence of exposure to enteroviruses was common in both free-ranging and managed collection dolphins. Managed collection dolphins were more likely to have high antibody levels, although the highest levels were reported in free-ranging populations. Associations between enterovirus antibody levels, and age, sex, complete blood counts, and clinical serum biochemistries were explored. Dolphins with higher antibody levels were more likely to be hyperproteinemic and hyperglobulinemic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bottle-Nosed Dolphin / virology*
  • Enterovirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Enterovirus, Bovine / genetics
  • Enterovirus, Bovine / isolation & purification
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Tongue / virology

Associated data

  • GENBANK/EU886967