Atypical Toxoplasmosis in a Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) Pup. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mazzariol, Sandro; Centelleghe, Cinzia; Petrella, Antonio; Marcer, Federica; Beverelli, Matteo; Di Francesco, Cristina E.; Di Francesco, Gabriella; Di Renzo, Ludovica; Di Guardo, Giovanni; Audino, Tania; Tripodi, Letizia; Casalone, Cristina
• Is Part Of: Journal of comparative pathology. Volume 184(2021)
• Page Start: 65
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: cetacean morbillivirus -- mediterranean monk seal -- Toxoplasma gondii -- vascular lesions; Veterinary pathology -- Periodicals; Veterinary therapeutics -- Periodicals; Pathology, Comparative -- Periodicals; Therapeutics -- Periodicals; Pathology, Veterinary -- Periodicals; 636.089607
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2021.02.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9975

Abstract

Summary: The Mediterranean monk seal ( Monachus monachus ) is the rarest species of pinniped in the world. Necropsy of a Mediterranean monk seal pup that stranded alive on the southern Adriatic Italian coast and died a few hours later revealed co-infection by cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) and Toxoplasma gondii . Pathological lesions included a multifocal, moderate to severe, necrotizing myocarditis and a diffuse, chronic, moderate interstitial pneumonia with bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial hyperplasia. Lesions of atypical necrotizing arteritis were seen in the aorta and major pulmonary arteries in association with the presence T. gondii organisms. Severe haemorrhagic foci and lesions of non-suppurative meningoencephalitis, together with the presence of protozoal cysts, were seen in the brain. Co-infection of CeMV and T. gondii has not been previously reported in monk seals. The vascular lesions found in this animal can be considered atypical because they have not been reported in other terrestrial or marine mammal species. The disseminated toxoplasmosis associated with the unusual vascular and haemorrhagic brain lesions could be related to the immunosuppressive effects of CeMV infection.