Morganella morganii septicemia and concurrent renal crassicaudiasis in a Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) stranded in Italy

Information regarding bacterial diseases in Cuvier’s beaked whale (CBW, Ziphius cavirostris) is scattered and mostly incomplete. This report describes a case of septicemia by Morganella morganii juvenile male CBW with concurrent renal crassicaudiasis. The animal stranded along the Ligurian coastline (Italy) underwent systematic post-mortem examination to determine cause death. Histopathology showed lesions consistent septicemic infection, severe meningoencephalitis, An M. alpha-hemolytic strain was isolated pure culture from liver, lung, prescapular lymph node, spleen, hepatic abscesses, central nervous system (CNS). antimicrobial susceptibility profile evaluated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) method reduced Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole reported. Crassicauda sp. nematodes were retrieved both kidneys. No other pathogens detected immunohistochemistry, serology, or biomolecular analyses. Toxicological investigations high immunosuppressant pollutants blubber. chronic parasitic infestation toxic effects xenobiotics likely compromised animal's health, predisposing it an opportunistic infection. To our knowledge, this first description CNS involvement wild cetacean.