Neuropathological Characterization of Dolphin Morbillivirus Infection in Cetaceans Stranded in Italy

Overview

Journal Animals (Basel)

Date 2022 Feb 25

PMID 35203160

Authors

Federica Giorda

Paola Crociara

Barbara Iulini

Paola Gazzuola

Alessandra Favole

Maria Goria

Laura Serracca

Alessandro Dondo

Maria Ines Crescio

Tania Audino

Simone Peletto

Cristina Esmeralda Di Francesco

Maria Caramelli

Eva Sierra

Fabio Di Nocera

Giuseppe Lucifora

Antonio Petrella

Roberto Puleio

Sandro Mazzariol

Giovanni Di Guardo

Cristina Casalone

Carla Grattarola

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) is responsible for epidemic and endemic fatalities in free-ranging cetaceans. Neuro-inflammation sustained by CeMV is a leading cause of death in stranded cetaceans. A novel dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) strain of Atlantic origin circulating in Italian waters since early 2016 has caused acute/subacute lesions associated with positive immunolabelling of the virus. To date, myelin damage has not been fully documented and investigated in cetaceans. This study describes neuropathological findings in the brain tissue of 31 cetaceans found stranded along the Italian coastline and positive for DMV infection on molecular testing. Cell changes in the areas of myelinopathy were revealed by double indirect immunofluorescence. The most frequent DMV-associated lesions were astro-microgliosis, neuronal necrosis, spongiosis, malacia, and non-suppurative meningoencephalitis. Myelin reduction and areas of demyelination were revealed by means of a specific myelin biomarker. Morbilliviral antigen immunolabelling was mainly observed in neurons and microglial cells, in association with a marked activation of microglia and astrocytes. These findings extend our knowledge of DMV-associated brain lesions and shed light on their pathogenesis.

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