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Seroepidemiology of parapoxvirus infections in captive and free-ranging California sea lions Zalophus californianus

2006; Inter-Research; Volume: 69; Linguagem: Inglês

10.3354/dao069153

1616-1580

HH Nollens, FMD Gulland, JA Hernandez, R C Condit, PA Klein, Walsh Mt, ER Jacobson,

Turtle Biology and Conservation

DAO Diseases of Aquatic Organisms Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials DAO 69:153-161 (2006) - doi:10.3354/dao069153 Seroepidemiology of parapoxvirus infections in captive and free-ranging California sea lions Zalophus californianus Hendrik H. Nollens1,*, Frances M. D. Gulland3, Jorge A. Hernandez2, Richard C. Condit4, Paul A. Klein5, Michael T. Walsh6, Elliott R. Jacobson1 1Marine Mammal Health Program and Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, and 2Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100126, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA 3The Marine Mammal Center, 1065 Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito, California 94965, USA 4Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, and 5Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100275, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA 6SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, Florida 32821, USA *Email: nollensh@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu ABSTRACT: Cutaneous nodular lesions caused by parapoxvirus infections are commonly observed in stranded pinnipeds following their arrival at rehabilitation facilities. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed and validated to determine exposure to parapoxviruses in California sea lions Zalophus californianus in captivity and in the wild. The diagnostic performance of this assay was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic analysis. At a selected cut-off value, the calculated sensitivity was 100% (95% CI = 86 to 100%) and the specificity was 100% (95% CI = 87 to 100%). Analysis of sera collected from 26 affected sea lions during various stages of the disease revealed anti-parapoxvirus antibodies in all affected sea lions prior to the development of cutaneous pox lesions. This indicated that previous exposure to a parapoxvirus does not confer protection against clinical disease. In at least 7 cases, exposure to the virus occurred during hospitalization. Analysis of paired sera from 74 unaffected sea lions indicated subclinical infections in at least 3 animals. Finally, the prevalence of anti-parapoxviral antibodies in 761 free-ranging California sea lions captured and tested was 91% (95% CI = 89 to 93%). This indicated that infection with a parapoxvirus is a common occurrence in the wild and that the release of captive sea lions infected with parapoxvirus into the wild should not increase the risk of a parapoxvirus outbreak in free-ranging sea lions. KEY WORDS: Zalophus californianus · California sea lion · Pinniped · Pox · Poxvirus · Antibody · ELISA · Serology Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in DAO Vol. 69, No. 2-3. Online publication date: April 06, 2006 Print ISSN: 0177-5103; Online ISSN: 1616-1580 Copyright © 2006 Inter-Research.