AUTHOR=Moreno Edgardo , Guzmán-Verri Caterina , Gonzalez-Barrios Rocio , Hernandez Gabriela , Morales Juan A., Barquero-Calvo Elias , Chaves-Olarte Esteban 

TITLE=Brucella ceti and Brucellosis in Cetaceans

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=2

YEAR=2012

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2012.00003

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2012.00003

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<p>Since the first case of brucellosis detected in a dolphin aborted fetus, an increasing number of <italic>Brucella ceti</italic> isolates has been reported in members of the two suborders of cetaceans: Mysticeti and Odontoceti. Serological surveys have shown that cetacean brucellosis may be distributed worldwide in the oceans. Although all <italic>B</italic>. <italic>ceti</italic> isolates have been included within the same species, three different groups have been recognized according to their preferred host, bacteriological properties, and distinct genetic traits: <italic>B</italic>. <italic>ceti</italic> dolphin type, <italic>B</italic>. <italic>ceti</italic> porpoise type, and <italic>B</italic>. <italic>ceti</italic> human type. It seems that <italic>B</italic>. <italic>ceti</italic> porpoise type is more closely related to <italic>B</italic>. <italic>ceti</italic> human isolates and <italic>B</italic>. <italic>pinnipedialis</italic> group, while <italic>B</italic>. <italic>ceti</italic> dolphin type seems ancestral to them. Based on comparative phylogenetic analysis, it is feasible that the <italic>B</italic>. <italic>ceti</italic> ancestor radiated in a terrestrial artiodactyl host close to the Raoellidae family about 58 million years ago. The more likely mode of transmission of <italic>B</italic>. <italic>ceti</italic> seems to be through sexual intercourse, maternal feeding, aborted fetuses, placental tissues, vertical transmission from mother to the fetus or through fish or helminth reservoirs. The <italic>B</italic>. <italic>ceti</italic> dolphin and porpoise types seem to display variable virulence in land animal models and low infectivity for humans. However, brucellosis in some dolphins and porpoises has been demonstrated to be a severe chronic disease, displaying significant clinical and pathological signs related to abortions, male infertility, neurobrucellosis, cardiopathies, bone and skin lesions, strandings, and death.</p>