Hazards of disease transfer from marine mammals to land mammals: review and recent findings.
Abstract: In a 5-year study (1972-1977) of microbial agents isolated from both clinically normal and diseased marine mammals, it was shown that certain disease agents are widespread in a diversity of ocean populations and that some are also transmissible to a number of terrestrial mammal species. Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona has been isolated repeatedly from 2 species of pinnipeds (Zalophus californianus califonianus and Callorhinus ursinus). Some of the more important bacterial pathogens for land mammals that were isolated from wild marine mammals are Pseudomonas mallei, Clostridium chauvoei, C novyi, Neisseria mucosa var heidelbergensis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella spp, and Pasteurella multocida. Numerous serotypes of viruses classified as caliciviruses were isolated from a variety of marine mammals. Some of these are known to infect several land mammal species including swine horses, and primates. For this reason., precautions should be taken to ensure that disease agents shed by captive marine mammals are not transmitted to susceptible terrestrial mammals, including animal handlers and other human beings.
Publication Date: 1978-11-01 PubMed ID: 738931
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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The research investigates the potential risks of disease transfer from marine to land mammals, revealing that some disease-causing microbes are common in ocean species and can be transmitted to various land animals, including humans.
Study Overview
- The authors undertook a five-year study from 1972 to 1977 to understand how microbes that cause diseases can be transferred from marine mammals to terrestrial creatures.
- Marine mammals included in the study were both healthy and diseased, providing a comprehensive overview of the prevalence and potency of disease-causing microbes.
Microbial Pathogens Found in Marine Mammals
- A list of bacteria causing diseases in land mammals was found in marine creatures, including but not limited to Pseudomonas mallei, Clostridium chauvoei, C novyi, Neisseria mucosa var heidelbergensis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella spp, and Pasteurella multocida.
- The spirochete bacteria Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona was repeatedly identified in two specific species of pinnipeds, Zalophus californianus californianus (California sea lion) and Callorhinus ursinus (Northern fur seal).
Viral Pathogens
- An array of viruses, classified under caliciviruses, were spotted in numerous marine mammals. Some of these viruses are known to affect various land mammal species, including swine, horses, and primates.
Implications of the Study
- Since many disease-causing agents can be shed by captive marine mammals, the study warns of potential health threats to animals and handlers in close contact with such mammals.
- Due to the risk of these microbes spreading to susceptible terrestrial mammals, precautions and protective measures are highly recommended.
Cite This Article
APA
Smith AW, Vedros NA, Akers TG, Gilmartin WG.
(1978).
Hazards of disease transfer from marine mammals to land mammals: review and recent findings.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 173(9), 1131-1133.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Caliciviridae / isolation & purification
- Caniformia / microbiology
- Dolphins / microbiology
- Leptospira / isolation & purification
- Seals, Earless / microbiology
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Volokhov DV, Zagorodnyaya TA, Furtak VA, Nattanmai G, Randall L, Jose S, Gao Y, Gulland FM, Eisenberg T, Delmonte P, Blom J, Mitchell KK. Neisseria montereyensis sp. nov., Isolated from Oropharynx of California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus): Genomic, Phylogenetic, and Phenotypic Study. Curr Microbiol 2023 Jun 24;80(8):253.
- Prager KC, Alt DP, Buhnerkempe MG, Greig DJ, Galloway RL, Wu Q, Gulland FMD, Lloyd-Smith JO. Antibiotic Efficacy in Eliminating Leptospiruria in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) Stranding with Leptospirosis. Aquat Mamm 2015;41(2):203-212.
- Waltzek TB, Cortés-Hinojosa G, Wellehan JF Jr, Gray GC. Marine mammal zoonoses: a review of disease manifestations. Zoonoses Public Health 2012 Dec;59(8):521-35.
- Li L, Shan T, Wang C, Côté C, Kolman J, Onions D, Gulland FM, Delwart E. The fecal viral flora of California sea lions. J Virol 2011 Oct;85(19):9909-17.
- Stoddard RA, Atwill ER, Gulland FM, Miller MA, Dabritz HA, Paradies DM, Worcester KR, Jang S, Lawrence J, Byrne BA, Conrad PA. Risk factors for infection with pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant fecal bacteria in northern elephant seals in California. Public Health Rep 2008 May-Jun;123(3):360-70.
- Lloyd-Smith JO, Greig DJ, Hietala S, Ghneim GS, Palmer L, St Leger J, Grenfell BT, Gulland FM. Cyclical changes in seroprevalence of leptospirosis in California sea lions: endemic and epidemic disease in one host species?. BMC Infect Dis 2007 Nov 6;7:125.
- Smith AW, Iversen PL, Skilling DE, Stein DA, Bok K, Matson DO. Vesivirus viremia and seroprevalence in humans. J Med Virol 2006 May;78(5):693-701.
- Reichenbach A, Baar U. Retinitis-pigmentosa-like tapetoretinal degeneration in a rabbit breed. Doc Ophthalmol 1985 Aug 15;60(1):71-8.
- Reddy SG, Handa A, Arumugam A, Ange B, MacArthur R. Seal finger: a literature review. Int J Circumpolar Health 2025 Dec;84(1):2530267.
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