Professional Documents
Culture Documents
www.state.nj.us/agriculture
MMSC-15-117
Species: Dolphin
Breed:
Age:
Sex: Male
Comments
Case summary:
The most significant lesions in this older male bottlenose dolphin
were in the brain. A lymphohistiocytic meningoencephalitis affected
large areas of the meningeal connective tissue even affecting the
choroid plexus. Molecular testing of brain was negative via PCR for
Cetacean morbillivirus in fresh tissue and Brucella sp. in paraffin
embedded tissue. These tests can be negatively affected by sampling
site variation and decreased DNA yield in paraffin embedded tissue.
It is my opinion based on the microscopic lesions observed, that the
changes in the brain were due to a combined infection with both
Cetacean morbillivirus and Brucella sp., especially since this
dolphin tested positive for both of these infectious agents in other
organs. Fresh lung tested positive for Cetacean morbillivirus and
paraffin embedded testis tested positive for Brucella sp.
Additional significant findings included the lesions in the
forestomach, lung, and testicles. There were rare small mucosal
ulcerations in the forestomach that appeared to be healing. Small
abscesses were identified after serial sectioning of the lung and
testicular parenchyma. Microscopically, the lungworms were not
involved in the lung lesions and were considered incidental.
Brucella sp. was isolated from abscessed testicle and was likely
also the cause of the lung abscesses. Angiomatosis was also
identified within the lung and one thoracic lymph node and is a
common finding in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Pulmonary
angiomatosis can be extensive and has been speculated to cause
impaired lung compliance, ventilation, and gas exchange. It was not
clear whether the degree of dense fibrosis cause by the condition
would have led to some degree of reduction in respiratory capacity
in this dolphin.
There was also some question whether this was a costal or offshore
bottlenose dolphin. The criteria outlined in the publication by
Mead and Potter from the Smithsonian Institution used to
differentiate these two populations was based on differences in the
shape of the bones surrounding the nares (pterygoid and palatines)
Case No: 15-1831
Page 1 of 5
Animal ID
Specimen
Test
MMSC-15-117
Post Mortem
Whole Body Dead
Comment: Date of death: 8/8/2015. Manner of death: Euthanasia.
GROSS NECROPSY FINDINGS:
GENERAL EXAMINATION: A necropsy is performed on August 10, 2015.
The body is that of a 192kg adult male bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops
truncatus) with adequate musculature and severely depleted adipose
deposits in good postmortem condition. The body length measures
285cm and the blubber layer measures 1.8cm (dorsum), 1.8cm (lateral
flank), and 2.4cm (ventrum). All organs not described are within
normal limits.
INTEGUMENT/SUBCUTIS: There are occasional linear indentations (rake
marks) on most skin surfaces. The peripheral skin on the fluke and
dorsal fin is mildly irregular.
THORACIC CAVITY: The abdomen is filled with a small amount
(approximately 1L) of thin, clear, light brown fluid.
LUNGS: The pulmonary parenchyma is mottled pink to red with
occasional 3-6mm diameter firm tan foci that occasionally contain
small amounts of soft tan to yellow material. The majority of
medium to small caliper airways in both lobes have moderate numbers
of 1mm diameter lung worms that measure between 15 to 20 mm in
length.
CARDIOVASCULAR: The pericardial adipose tissue is not visible.
PERITONEAL CAVITY: The abdomen is filled with a small amount
(approximately 1L) of thin, clear, light brown fluid. There is no
visible adipose tissue within the mesentery or associated with
either kidney.
DIGESTIVE TRACT: The forestomach (non-glandular gastric
compartment) has rare 3-5mm diameter mucosal indentations that are
lined by small amounts of dark brown discolored tissue. All gastric
compartments are empty. The small and large intestines contain only
small amounts of bright yellow mucus.
TESTICLES: The testicular parenchyma has occasional 3-8mm diameter
yellow to light brown discolored foci that are scattered within both
Case No: 15-1831
Page 2 of 5
Result
gross pathology
Animal ID
Specimen
Test
MMSC-15-117
Histopathology
Whole Body Dead
Comment: Microscopic description: Slides 1-16 and Slides A-F. Sections of
brain, trachea, lung, thoracic lymph nodes, heart, liver, spleen,
skeletal muscle, tongue, urinary bladder, pancreas, and
gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts are examined. Major lesions
are described below. Minor lesions are only noted within the final
anatomic diagnoses.
Brain: The leptomeninges overlying large areas of the cortex,
cerebellum, and brainstem are mildly to moderately expanded by
lymphocytes, histiocytes, and rare plasma cells. The vessels within
these expanded areas of meningeal connective tissue are frequently
moderately dilated and congested. This leptomeningeal inflammation
rarely also superficially extends into the parenchyma. At the level
of the caudal brainstem, the leptomeningeal inflammation also
extends within the connective tissue surrounding associated nerve
rootlets. Additionally, the caudal brainstem has large bilaterally
symmetrical areas of vacuolation within white matter tracts. These
vacuolated areas also have occasional vessels that are surrounded by
low numbers of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and occasional
neutrophils.
At multiple coronal levels, there are areas of perivascular
inflammation within Virchow- Robin spaces composed of primarily low
to moderate numbers of lymphocytes, histocytes, fewer plasma cells
and rare neutrophils. These foci are also frequently associated
with foci of malacia and neuropil rarefaction, have mild gliosis,
and are occasionally infiltrated by low numbers of gemistocytic
astrocytes. Occasional necrotic neurons are also incorporated into
the lesional areas with gemistocytic astrocytes. Rare presumptive
astrocytes adjacent to these affect areas have approximately 3-4
diameter eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions. The caudate
nucleus and thalamus are most prominently affected by the areas of
malacia and neuronal necrosis.
Choroid plexus: The choroid plexus is frequently bordered by
Case No: 15-1831
Page 3 of 5
Result
Completed Histopathology
Page 4 of 5
Referral External
Test: referral external results
Verified by: Dr. Angelique Leone
Animal ID
Specimen
Test
MMSC-15-117
re external results
Whole Body Dead
Comment: Morbillivirus PCR is conducted at the University of Georgia, Athens
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Result
see comments
Page 5 of 5
see comments