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Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses of Wild Marine Animals

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Wildlife".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2021) | Viewed by 29355

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Danny Morick

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Guest Editor

Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Interests: marine animals diseases; marine ecology; microbiology; zoonoses; wild aquatic animals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Over the past few decades, there has been a global increase in reports of diseases affecting marine organisms of diverse taxa. Climate change is an additional pressure on marine ecosystems that are already subject to many anthropogenic disturbances, such as overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction. Environmental conditions play a crucial role not only in pathogen transmission between animals but also as risk factors for clinical disease occurrence. Dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and many other marine animals are all susceptible to infectious diseases and some of these pathogens can transmit diseases to humans. Marine zoonoses represent a public health problem. Numerous pathogens and many different transmission modes are involved, and many factors influence the epidemiology of the disease transmission. As mariculture production and the consumption of marine animals products increase, the possibility of contracting zoonotic infections from either handling or ingesting these products also increases. Outbreaks of infectious diseases in marine fish farms are often related to management factors, such as the pollution levels of the water, introducing non-naïve fish to the farms and high stocking density of animals, which can increase pathogens loads in the fish and as a result, the fish are more likely to transmit infection to humans. Surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, research, training and education are key elements in combating the upsurge of infectious agents and zoonoses in and from the sea.

Dr. Danny Morick
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Keywords

marine wildlife
Zoonoses
public health
transmission modes
epidemiology
Aquaculture
Mariculture
fish
marine mammals
sea turtles crustaceans
infectious diseases
virus
bacteria
parasites

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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5 pages, 1204 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Unusual Localization of Pennella Sp. in Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) Hearts

by Davide Mugetti, Elena Colombino, Vasco Menconi, Fulvio Garibaldi, Walter Mignone, Andrea Gustinelli, Marino Prearo, Franco Guarda and Maria Teresa Capucchio

Animals 2021, 11(6), 1757; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061757 - 11 Jun 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2928

Abstract

The genus Pennella comprises hematophagous parasites of marine aquatic species, including cephalopods, marine mammals, and pelagic fish. Nine species have been officially included in the genus Pennella plus another six species inquirendae. They are most often found in the host’s musculature, without penetrating internal organs. For the present study, 83 hearts from swordfish (Xiphias gladius) caught in the Mediterranean Sea were sampled and immediately fixed in formalin for histopathological analysis. In total, 10 (12.05%) hearts were found to be parasitized by copepods of the genus Pennella. Macroscopically, there was mild-to-severe fibrinous pericarditis with atrial wall thickening and multiple parasitic nodules. Histologically, the parasitic nodules were surrounded by an inflammatory-necrotizing reaction. Parasitic infestation by Pennella spp. is common in pelagic fish and in swordfish, in particular. Here, however, we report atypical cardiac localization. A future area of focus is the evaluation of cardiac Pennella spp. infestation by histopathology and genetic identification of the parasites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses of Wild Marine Animals)

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17 pages, 2386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Records of Fish Parasitic Isopods (Crustacea: Isopoda) from the Gulf of Thailand

by Watchariya Purivirojkul and Apiruedee Songsuk

Animals 2020, 10(12), 2298; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122298 - 4 Dec 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 7532

Abstract

From a total of 4140 marine fishes examined, eight species of parasitic isopods were reported from marine fishes in the Gulf of Thailand. These isopods were identified in two families, Corallanidae (Argathona macronema and Argathona rhinoceros) and Cymothoidae (Cymothoa eremita, Cymothoa elegans, Smenispa irregularis, Nerocila sundaica, Norileca indica and Norileca triangulata). Most of these parasitic isopods were found in the buccal cavity of their fish hosts with one host recorded as follows: C. eremita was found from Nemipterus hexodon, C. elegans was found from Scatophagus argus, N. sundaica was found from Saurida tumbil. The majority of the isopod specimens recorded in this study was S. irregularis, which was found in the buccal cavities of five host fish, Pampus argentius, Alepes melanoptera, Caranx hippos, Parastromateus niger and Terapon jarbua, with a prevalence of 11.67%, 10.43%, 9.78%, 6.10% and 4.21%, respectively. Argathona rhinoceros was found in the nasal cavity and branchial cavity of Epinephelus coioides, whereas A. macronema and N. triangulata were found on the skin of Epinephelus coioides and Seriolina nigrofasciata, respectively. The highest species diversity was found in E. coioides, which harbored two species of parasitic isopods, A. macronema and A. rhinoceros. Cymothoa eremita, C. elegans, S. irregularis and N. triangulata were recorded for the first time in the Gulf of Thailand. The reported discovery of C. eremita, S. irregularis, N. sundaica and N. triangulata in their fish hosts were new recorded hosts. Moreover, A. macronema and N. triangulata were found for the first time in the central Indo-Pacific region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses of Wild Marine Animals)

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13 pages, 3330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological Impairment as a Result of Bile Accumulation in an Apex Predator, the Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier Péron & Lesueur, 1822)

by Natascha Wosnick, Ana Paula Chaves, Yuri Vieira Niella, Veronica Takatsuka, Fábio Hissa Vieira Hazin, Jorge Luiz Silva Nunes and Danny Morick

Animals 2020, 10(11), 2030; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112030 - 4 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4289

Abstract

Physiological adaptations have evolved to help sharks face rapid periods of feast. Tiger sharks are generalist apex predators that rely on a high-lipid/protein diet. To achieve a satisfactory nutritional condition, proper lipid absorption and hepatic storage are needed. Bile secretion in sharks is low and sporadic but increases during short periods of fasting. The present study describes a physiological impairment caused by bile accumulation in juvenile tiger sharks, possibly due to prolonged fasting. These evidences suggest that, even though sharks have adaptations that prevent them from dying from starvation, alarming physiological alterations might occur. Future studies are needed to assess how such a condition can affect wild populations, as well as possible sublethal consequences that could impact their long-term survival. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses of Wild Marine Animals)

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15 pages, 1815 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Disease in Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta)

by Stefano Ciccarelli, Carmela Valastro, Antonio Di Bello, Serena Paci, Francesco Caprio, Maria Laura Corrente, Adriana Trotta and Delia Franchini

Animals 2020, 10(8), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081355 - 5 Aug 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5501

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical signs, radiographic, endoscopic and CT findings, cytological and microbiological findings and treatments of pulmonary diseases in sea turtles, in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis that avoids unnecessary therapy and antibiotic-resistance phenomena. In total, 14 loggerheads (Caretta caretta), with clinical and/or radiographic findings of pulmonary pathology, were assessed through various combinations of clinical, radiological, CT, endoscopic examination and bronchoalveolar lavage, which recovered fluid for cytologic and microbiologic analysis. In all cases, radiographic examination led to a diagnosis of pulmonary disorders—4 unilateral and 10 bilateral. All bacteria cultured were identified as Gram-negative. Antibiotic resistance was greater than 70% for all beta-lactams tested. In addition, all bacterial strains were 100% resistant to colistin sulfate and tetracycline. Specific antibiotic therapies were formulated for seven sea turtles using Enrofloxacin, and for four sea turtles using ceftazidime. In two turtles, antibiotic therapy was not included due to the presence of antibiotic resistance against all the antibiotics evaluated. In both cases, the coupage technique and environmental management allowed the resolution of the lung disease without antibiotics. All 14 sea turtles were released back into the sea. Radiographic examination must be considered the gold standard for screening sea turtles that show respiratory signs or abnormal buoyancy. Susceptibility testing with antimicrobials allowed appropriate therapy, including the reduction of antibiotic-resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses of Wild Marine Animals)

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Review

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23 pages, 2582 KiB

Open AccessReview

Genera and Species of the Anisakidae Family and Their Geographical Distribution

by Juan C. Ángeles-Hernández, Fabian R. Gómez-de Anda, Nydia E. Reyes-Rodríguez, Vicente Vega-Sánchez, Patricia B. García-Reyna, Rafael G. Campos-Montiel, Norma L. Calderón-Apodaca, Celene Salgado-Miranda and Andrea P. Zepeda-Velázquez

Animals 2020, 10(12), 2374; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122374 - 11 Dec 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6945

Abstract

Nematodes of the Anisakidae family have the ability to infest a wide variety of aquatic hosts during the development of their larval stages, mainly marine mammals, aquatic birds, such as pelicans, and freshwater fish, such crucian carp, these being the hosts where the life cycle is completed. The participation of intermediate hosts such as cephalopods, shrimp, crustaceans and marine fish, is an important part of this cycle. Due to morphological changes and updates to the genetic information of the different members of the family, the purpose of this review was to carry out a bibliographic search of the genus and species of the Anisakidae family identified by molecular tests, as well as the geographical area in which they were collected. The Anisakidae family is made up of eight different parasitic genera and 46 different species. Those of clinical importance to human health are highlighted: Anisakis pegreffi, A. simplexsensu stricto, Contracaecumosculatum, Pseudoterranova azarazi, P. cattani, P. decipiens and P. krabbei. The geographical distribution of these genera and species is located mainly in the European continent, Asia and South America, as well as in North and Central America and Australia. Based on the information collected from the Anisakidae family, it was determined that the geographical distribution is affected by different environmental factors, the host and the ability of the parasite itself to adapt. Its ability to adapt to the human organism has led to it being considered as a zoonotic agent. The disease in humans manifests nonspecifically, however the consumption of raw or semi-raw seafood is crucial information to link the presentation of the parasite with the disease. The use of morphological and molecular tests is of utmost importance for the correct diagnosis of the genus and species of the Anisakidae family. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses of Wild Marine Animals)

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