Molecular identification and microscopic characterization of poxvirus in a Guiana dolphin and a common bottlenose dolphin, Brazil

The poxviruses identified in cetaceans are associated with characteristic tattoo or ring skin lesions. However, little is known regarding the prevalence and progression of these lesions and the molecular characterization of cetacean poxviruses in the Southern Hemisphere. This manuscript describes th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Diseases of aquatic organisms 2018-09, Vol.130 (3), p.177-185
Main Authors: Sacristán, Carlos, Esperón, Fernando, Marigo, Juliana, Ewbank, Ana Carolina, de Carvalho, Rafael Ramos, Groch, Kátia Regina, de Castilho, Pedro Volkmer, Sánchez-Sarmiento, Angélica María, Costa-Silva, Samira, Ferreira-Machado, Eduardo, Gonzales-Viera, Omar Antonio, Daura-Jorge, Fábio G, Santos-Neto, Elitieri B, Lailson-Brito, José, de Freitas Azevedo, Alexandre, Simões-Lopes, Paulo C, Neves, Carlos G, Catão-Dias, José Luiz
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actin
Amino acids
Amplification
Aquatic mammals
Cetacea
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA polymerase
DNA topoisomerase
DNA-directed DNA polymerase
Dolphins
Dolphins & porpoises
Electron microscopy
Histology
Histopathology
Inclusion bodies
Lesions
Marine mammals
Microscopy
Phylogeny
Polymerase chain reaction
Regression analysis
Skin diseases
Sotalia guianensis
Southern Hemisphere
Tursiops truncatus
Viruses
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Summary:The poxviruses identified in cetaceans are associated with characteristic tattoo or ring skin lesions. However, little is known regarding the prevalence and progression of these lesions and the molecular characterization of cetacean poxviruses in the Southern Hemisphere. This manuscript describes the progression of poxvirus-like skin lesions in 5 free-ranging Guiana dolphins Sotalia guianensis. Additionally, 151 skin samples from 113 free-ranging cetaceans from Brazil, including 4 animals with tattoo skin lesions, were selected for poxvirus testing. Poxviral DNA polymerase gene PCR amplification was used to detect the virus in β-actin-positive samples (145/151). DNA topoisomerase I gene PCR was then used in Cetaceanpoxvirus (CePV)-positive cases (n = 2), which were further evaluated by histopathology and electron microscopy. Based on photo-identification, adult Guiana dolphins presented regressing or healed poxvirus-like lesions (2/2), while juveniles presented persistent (2/3) or healed and progressive lesions (1/3). CePV DNA was amplified in a common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus and in a Guiana dolphin. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies and viral particles consistent with poxvirus were identified by histology and electron microscopy, respectively. CePV-specific amino acid motifs were identified through phylogenetic analysis. Our findings corroborate previous studies that suggest the placement of poxviruses from cetaceans within the novel CePV genus. This is the first molecular identification of poxvirus in South American odontocetes.
ISSN:0177-5103
1616-1580
DOI:10.3354/dao03271