Fatal upper aerodigestive tract obstruction in an East Asian finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri): findings in post-mortem computed tomography

Yuen, Adams Hei Long; Lee, Sung Bin; Kim, Sang Wha; Lee, Young Min; Kim, Do-Gyun; Poon, Cherry Tsz Ching; Seo, Jong-pil; Baeck, Gun Wook; Kim, Byung Yeop; Park, Se Chang

doi:10.1007/s12024-023-00732-0

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The NFPs inhabit the east Asian coast, a geographic hotspot of anthropogenic threats (Walther et al., 2020; Xiong et al., 2018; Yuen et al., 2023). Rapidly growing anthropogenic activities are influencing NFPs in this area.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Kyphoscoliosis in cetaceans is typically reported through in situ visual assessments during photo-identification field studies (Bertulli et al, 2015), and more subtle abnormalities are discovered during necroscopic examinations (DeLynn et al, 2011). As part of the pioneering stranded cetacean imaging programme in the Republic of Korea, NFPs stranded in Korean waters have been routinely assessed using post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) to provide initial screening and supplementary evidence for conventional necropsy (Yuen et al, 2022(Yuen et al, , 2023. This case report presents the first documented cases of congenital, degenerative and traumatic kyphoscoliosis in two NFPs using PMCT.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

First report of kyphoscoliosis in the narrow‐ridged finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis): Findings from congenital and degenerative cases comparison using post‐mortem computed tomography

Yuen,

Kim,

Lee

et al. 2024

Veterinary Medicine & Sci

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionSpinal deformities, including kyphoscoliosis, have been consistently documented in cetaceans. However, the majority of reported cases of kyphoscoliosis in cetaceans pertain to bottlenose dolphins, with limited information on its occurrence in narrow‐ridged finless porpoise (NFP) (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis).Materials and methodsIn November 2021, two deceased NFPs were discovered stranded on the shores of the Republic of Korea. As part of the pioneer stranded cetacean imaging programme in the Republic of Korea, both carcasses underwent post‐mortem computed tomography (PMCT), revealing congenital and degenerative traumatic kyphoscoliosis, respectively.ResultsAlthough kyphoscoliosis may not have directly caused the demise of these individuals, it is hypothesized that the reduced spinal range of motion and mobility associated with kyphoscoliosis may have contributed to their deaths.ConclusionThis case report presents the first documented cases of kyphoscoliosis in two NFPs stranded in Korean waters, utilizing PMCT as an efficient methodology for assessing skeletal abnormalities in cetaceans.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First report of kyphoscoliosis in the narrow‐ridged finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis): Findings from congenital and degenerative cases comparison using post‐mortem computed tomography

Yuen,

Kim,

Lee

et al. 2024

Veterinary Medicine & Sci

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, in the case of a dead organism, obtaining information regarding clinical symptoms becomes impossible. In the present study, our group adopted the PMCT workflow and imaging parameters with reference to Yuen et al [9,10] for the diagnosis of abdominal gas embolism and upper aerodigestive tract obstruction. We found that mesenteric fibrosis was a significant radiological sign to propose the presence of intestinal adhesion, which was confirmed via necropsy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, the underlying pathogenesis of this disease in cetaceans is still not fully understood. To seek better understanding of the causes of death and underlying pathology, cetaceans stranded in South Korean waters have been routinely assessed using post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) to provide additional information complementing the findings of conventional necropsy [9,10]. In this case report, we present a case of ABO in a stranded narrow-ridged finless porpoise and demonstrate the relevant necropsy and PMCT findings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adhesive Bowel Obstruction (ABO) in a Stranded Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri)

Lee,

Yuen,

Lee

et al. 2023

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this case report, we present a rare occurrence of a narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), discovered on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, that was afflicted with adhesive bowel obstruction (ABO), a life-threatening condition that has scarcely been reported in cetaceans. Diagnosis of ABO was confirmed via radiological and clinical assessments. Post-mortem computed tomography and necropsy revealed ABO between two loops of the jejunum at the L8 level. The mesenteric tissue covering the intestinal lesion was severely thickened with increased tension. Both bowel loops were fixed to the mesentery and acutely angulated, leading to asymmetrical thickening of the cross-sectional bowel walls. The intestinal lumen was stenosed because of pressure from the firm mesenteric band, and no fecal matter was observed in the lumen of the posterior bowel or rectum. Calcified nodules were detected, and histological analysis suggested parasitic or suspected post-parasitic infections. The primary cause of the intestinal lesions is presumed to be a reaction related to parasitic infection. However, further investigations would establish a definitive link between parasitic infections and ABO in this species. This case highlights the importance of studying rare medical conditions in wildlife, providing valuable insights into marine mammal health.

show abstract

Genetic analyses of Anisakis pegreffii (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from the East Asian finless porpoise Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri (Cetacea: Phocoenidae) in Korean waters

Kim,

Jeon,

Lee

et al. 2024

Parasitol Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The East Asian finless porpoise, Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri , is an endangered species that inhabits the coastal marine environments of East Asia. In the present study, we investigated the overall infection status of anisakid nematodes in East Asian finless porpoises from three sea sectors off the Korean Peninsula. The genetic diversity and population genetic structure of the identified nematode species were evaluated. The prevalence of all stages of anisakid nematodes collected from the stomach was 57.55% (61 among the 106 porpoises examined), and 16 of the hosts were found to have adult worms. The mean number of infected adults was 211 (± 419.54, 5–1455 per host). Only one species of anisakids, Anisakis pegreffii , was identified from randomly selected worms by molecular approaches. Analysis of the mitochondrial (mt) cox2 partial gene in 50 newly generated sequences of A. pegreffii revealed 24 haplotypes, including 14 new haplotypes. We observed below-average levels of nucleotide diversity and haplotype diversity compared to other seas around the world. The mtDNA cox2 haplotypes of the species in the three Korean sea areas showed no genetic structure, suggesting well-connected gene flow within these areas. This study represents the first record of a definitive host of A. pegreffii in Korean waters, providing important information regarding anisakids genetic diversity in the cetacean species inhabiting limited regions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00436-024-08368-x.

show abstract

Fatal upper aerodigestive tract obstruction in an East Asian finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri): findings in post-mortem computed tomography

Cited by 4 publications

References 30 publications

First report of kyphoscoliosis in the narrow‐ridged finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis): Findings from congenital and degenerative cases comparison using post‐mortem computed tomography

First report of kyphoscoliosis in the narrow‐ridged finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis): Findings from congenital and degenerative cases comparison using post‐mortem computed tomography

Adhesive Bowel Obstruction (ABO) in a Stranded Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri)

Genetic analyses of Anisakis pegreffii (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from the East Asian finless porpoise Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri (Cetacea: Phocoenidae) in Korean waters

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About