Anti- Brucella antibodies in seals at coastal locations of Hokkaido, Japan, with focus on life stages

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

article

Kazue OHISHI¹  Mari KOBAYASHI³  Tadashi MARUYAMA⁵ 

[1] School of Engineering, Tokyo Polytechnic University;Department of Clinical Engineering, Kanagawa Institute of Technology;Graduate School of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture;Incorporated Non Profit Organization Marine Wildlife Center of Japan;School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University

关键词: antibody;    Brucella;    pinniped;    seal;   

DOI  :  10.1292/jvms.21-0532

学科分类：兽医学

来源: Japanese Society of Veterinary Science

【 摘 要 】

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect antibodies against Brucella abortus in serum samples from four seal species at nine coastal locations of Hokkaido, Japan. These antibodies were detected in 27% (32/118) of Western Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri) at Cape Erimo. The antibodies were observed in spotted seals (P. largha) in one out of six at Nemuro, in two out of three at Rebun Island, in one out of two at Bakkai, and in examined one at Soya. They were also found in respective examined one ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) and one ringed seal (Pusa hispida) at Akkeshi. Harbor seals that tested positive were mostly yearlings (35%, 20/57) and juveniles (45%, 10/22), while only one pup (1/13) and one subadult (1/5) tested positive with low titers of the antibody; no antibodies were observed in adults (n=21). These results suggest that Brucella mainly infected harbor seals from the environment while weaning, and the bacteria were cleared during the early life stage of the seals. In spotted seals, however, antibodies were also detected in adults, suggesting that spotted seals could become infected with Brucella even as adults. It is also possible that a different, more persistent strain of Brucella may have infected the spotted seals.

【 授权许可】

Unknown