Brucella spp. in the western North Pacific and Antarctic cetaceans: a review

Brucella spp. has been reported in a variety of marine mammals worldwide. Serological and pathological studies were conducted on the western North Pacific using samples from three whale species collected during 2000 under second phase Japanese Whale Research Program Special Permit Western (JARPN II). Serum 40 common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), 43 Bryde’s (B. edeni) 4 sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) assessed with agglutination testing designed for B. abortus detection. Brucella-specific serum antibodies detected 38% samples. A lower prevalence (9%) antibody was observed samples, whereas no specific against four whales. 104 Antarctic bonaerensis) (JARPA) analysed, detected. Granular lesions caseation mineralisation found 35% (13 males one female) gonads. Similar also gonads male female whale. These gonad not 440 five whales, despite thorough examination reproduction studies. Histopathological showed that consisted epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells had an infiltration lymphocytes. DNA fragments amplified by PCR primers ten 22 abnormal testis tissues The sequences IS711 transposable elements downstream bp26, characteristic strains gene structure omp2, products seal strains, similarity to Atlantic rather than strains. This classification based mammal host species, cetacea pinippedia is appropriate. Considering zoonotic nature genus Brucella, crews researchers who have frequent contact serologically examined health issues associated this agent. No sera 51 persons 2001, nor 103 2003.