Cerebral abscess associated with stranding in a dolphin

Area of Science:

• Marine Mammal Medicine
• Veterinary Neurology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Focuses on the health of captive marine mammals, specifically bottlenosed dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).
• Addresses the importance of monitoring and diagnosing neurological conditions in zoological settings.

Observation:

• A captive bottlenosed dolphin was found beached in its enclosure.
• Clinical examination revealed an abscess in the right cerebral hemisphere.

Findings:

• Staphylococcus aureus was identified as the causative agent of the abscess.
• Histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of pyogenic meningoencephalitis, indicating brain inflammation due to bacterial infection.

Implications:

• Underscores the potential for severe bacterial infections, like those caused by Staphylococcus aureus, in captive cetaceans.
• Highlights the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment of neurological abscesses in marine mammals to prevent severe outcomes like meningoencephalitis.