Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in four free-ranging odontocetes
Nicholas J Davison1, Stephen A Raverty2, Els M Broens3
1Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
Abstract:
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a zoonotic pathogen that has been recovered from a variety of companion, production, laboratory, wildlife and avian species. The prevalence of this bacterium varies geographically but is generally considered widespread within the terrestrial environment with human exposure principally by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Pseudotuberculosis, due to Y. pseudotuberculosis, is a common cause of mortality in captive exotic birds and mammals and, according to the OIE WAHIS-Wild Interface, is the 8th most frequently reported disease/infection for all wildlife worldwide and the 5th in wild mammals. This report increases the number of recognized species susceptible to pseudotuberculosis and expands the environmental distribution of this bacterium into the marine habitat with four Y. pseudotuberculosis culture-positive cases in three odontocete species, including three from the North Sea and one from the northeastern Pacific Ocean. This case series is the first to report pseudotuberculosis in mammals that reside exclusively in the marine habitat. At present, there is insufficient information on the natural history of Y. pseudotuberculosis and marine mammal infections to infer whether exposure was due to terrestrial contamination of water courses or, alternatively, the bacterium persisting within the marine environment.
Insights
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, a zoonotic pathogen, has been identified in marine mammals for the first time, expanding its known environmental range. This finding highlights potential new pathways for pathogen exposure and disease in marine ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Wildlife Disease Ecology
- Marine Mammal Health
Background:
- Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a zoonotic bacterium found in various terrestrial species.
- It is a significant cause of mortality in captive exotic animals and frequently reported in wild mammals.
- Previous understanding of its distribution was limited to terrestrial environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first cases of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in marine mammals.
- To expand the known environmental distribution of Y. pseudotuberculosis into marine habitats.
- To investigate the potential sources of infection in marine environments.
Main Methods:
- Culture-based detection of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.
- Identification of affected marine mammal species.
- Geographic localization of positive cases (North Sea, northeastern Pacific Ocean).
Main Results:
- Four culture-positive cases of Y. pseudotuberculosis were identified in three odontocete species.
- This represents the first documentation of pseudotuberculosis in exclusively marine-dwelling mammals.
- Infections were reported in both the North Sea and the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
Conclusions:
- Yersinia pseudotuberculosis has a broader environmental distribution than previously recognized, including marine ecosystems.
- The bacterium can infect marine mammals, expanding the list of susceptible species.
- Further research is needed to determine the source of Y. pseudotuberculosis in marine environments, whether terrestrial runoff or intrinsic marine persistence.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
01:28Rabies
01:28Toxoplasmosis