First Description of Rhodococcus Equi Infection in Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus)

Overview

Journal Vet Res Commun

Publisher Springer

Specialty Veterinary Medicine

Date 2024 Mar 21

PMID 38509425

Authors

Maria Oliviero

Doriana Iaccarino

Emanuele Esposito

Gianluigi Paduano

Fabio Di Nocera

Giorgia Borriello

Rubina Paradiso

Barbara Degli Uberti

Maria Dimatteo

Maria Grazia Amoroso

Giuseppe Lucifora

Giovanna Fusco

Esterina De Carlo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Rhodococcus equi is a terrestrial bacterium and a common pathogen in foals (Equus caballus), in which causes pneumonia. This report describes for the first time the infection caused by R. equi in a common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in the Calabrian coast, Italy. The post mortem examination of the animal revealed lesions in lung and colon. The animal was also positive to dolphin morbillivirus. The histological study showed lesions attributable to R. equi infection, such as pyogranulomatous bacterial pneumonia and chronic granulomatous colitis. Whole genome sequencing of the isolated strain confirmed its identification as R. equi.

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