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Cetacean Morbillivirus in Odontocetes Stranded along the Central California Coast, USA, 2000-15
Liliana Serrano1, Claire A Simeone1,2, Kathleen M Colegrove3
11 Marine Mammal Center, 2000 Bunker Road, Sausalito, California 94965, USA.
Abstract:
Effects of cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) on dolphins vary from causing epidemics to subclinical infections. The former have been documented in the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea but not in the North Pacific Ocean, and the reasons for this are unknown. To explore the distribution of this virus in areas that have not experienced epidemics, we reviewed evidence for morbilliviral infection in odontocetes stranded along the California coast, US from 2000-15. Nine of 212 animals examined histologically had lesions compatible with morbilliviral infection, and 11 were tested for CeMV via reverse transcriptase-PCR. One striped dolphin ( Stenella coeruleoalba ) was PCR positive, and the sequenced product was most closely related to sequences in two strains found in cetaceans in Hawaii. This study suggests that CeMV may be a cause of morbidity and a rare contributor to mortality in cetaceans stranding along the California coast. Additional work is needed to understand CeMV distribution and host species susceptibility in this region.
Insights
Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) can cause varied effects in dolphins. This study found CeMV in a striped dolphin stranded in California, suggesting its presence in the North Pacific.
Area of Science:
- Marine Mammal Health
- Wildlife Virology
- Ecosystem Health
Background:
- Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) causes epidemics and subclinical infections in dolphins globally.
- CeMV outbreaks are documented in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean, but not the North Pacific.
- Reasons for CeMV's varied distribution remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate CeMV presence in odontocetes stranded along the California coast (2000-2015).
- To explore CeMV distribution in a region without documented epidemics.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination of stranded odontocetes for lesions.
- Reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) testing for CeMV RNA.
- Sequence analysis of positive PCR products.
Main Results:
- Nine of 212 stranded animals showed lesions consistent with morbilliviral infection.
- One striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) tested positive for CeMV via RT-PCR.
- The sequenced CeMV strain was closely related to strains found in Hawaiian cetaceans.
Conclusions:
- CeMV is present in cetaceans stranding along the California coast.
- CeMV may contribute to morbidity and rare mortality in this population.
- Further research is needed to understand CeMV's distribution and host susceptibility in the North Pacific.
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