<i>Salmonella</i>and<i>Campylobacter</i>spp. in Northern Elephant Seals, California

Stoddard, Robyn A.; Gulland, Frances M. D.; Atwill, Edward R; Lawrence, Judy; Jang, Spencer S.; Conrad, Patricia A.

doi:10.3201/eid1112.050752

Cited by 44 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…This prompted a two-year study to investigate the prevalence of Campylobacter in both free-ranging and stranded northern elephant seals in northern California (23). C. jejuni, C. lari, and a novel Campylobacter sp.…”

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confidence: 99%

Campylobacter insulaenigrae Isolates from Northern Elephant Seals ( Mirounga angustirostris ) in California

Stoddard

Miller

Foley

et al. 2007

Appl Environ Microbiol

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There are only two reports in the literature demonstrating the presence of Campylobacter spp. in marine mammals. One report describes the isolation of a new species, Campylobacter insulaenigrae sp. nov., from three harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Scotland, and the other describes the isolation of Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter lari, and an unknown Campylobacter species from northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in California. In this study, 72 presumptive C. lari and unknown Campylobacter species strains were characterized using standard phenotypic methods, 16S rRNA PCR, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Phenotypic characterization of these isolates showed them to be variable in their ability to grow either at 42°C or on agar containing 1% glycine and in their sensitivity to nalidixic acid and cephalothin. Based on both 16S rRNA PCR and MLST, all but 1 of the 72 isolates were C. insulaenigrae, with one isolate being similar to but distinct from both Campylobacter upsaliensis and Campylobacter helveticus. Phylogenetic analysis identified two C. insulaenigrae clades: the primary clade, containing exclusively California strains, and a secondary clade, containing some California strains and all of the original Scottish strains. This study demonstrates the inability of phenotypic characterization to correctly identify all Campylobacter species and emphasizes the importance of molecular characterization via 16S rRNA sequence analysis or MLST for the identification of Campylobacter isolates from marine mammals.Campylobacter spp. are gram-negative, motile spiral rods that can be zoonotic pathogens (15). Many species of Campylobacter, such as C. jejuni and C. lari, are oxidase and catalase positive and grow in thermophilic, microaerophilic conditions (15). Campylobacter spp. can cause gastroenteritis in humans, primates, birds, dogs, cats, cattle, and swine, with symptoms including fever, abdominal cramping, and mild to bloody diarrhea (5,15,16). The presence of Campylobacter in saltwater typically indicates recent fecal contamination, because these bacteria are not able to replicate or survive for prolonged periods in surface water (10,18,19). Sources of Campylobacter spp. in the environment are sewage treatment plants, agricultural runoff, freshwater outflow, and wildlife (17,18).Reports of Campylobacter species isolated from marine mammals are rare: to date, there have been only two reports in the literature. Campylobacter insulaenigrae sp. nov. (hereafter termed C. insulaenigrae) was isolated from three harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Scotland; the role of this bacterium in disease is not known (3). The isolation of C. jejuni, C. lari, and an unknown Campylobacter species from juvenile northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in California was also reported (23).

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confidence: 99%

Campylobacter insulaenigrae Isolates from Northern Elephant Seals ( Mirounga angustirostris ) in California

Stoddard

Miller

Foley

et al. 2007

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…and C. jejuni isolated from 195 seals used in this study were previously reported, 23 with one additional seal in this study that was not culture positive for either bacterium. A total of 73 seals harbored Salmonella spp.…”

Section: Bacterial Isolationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Salmonella spp. and C. jejuni were isolated as previously described, 23 using standard techniques. 24,25 Antimicrobial sensitivity testing Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed on up to three E. coli isolates from each fecal sample using the broth microdilution method following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) methods 26 using Sensititre ® Automated Microbiology Systems.…”

Section: Bacterial Isolationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…compared with seals that have not yet entered the ocean. 23 The goals of this study were to identify risk factors associated with pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant fecal bacteria in northern elephant seals stranded along the California coastline and compare the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli ) in stranded seals with seals that had not left their natal beach (free-ranging), thereby having minimal exposure to open ocean conditions.…”

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Risk Factors for Infection with Pathogenic and Antimicrobial-Resistant Fecal Bacteria in Northern Elephant Seals in California

et al. 2008

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SYNOPSISObjectives. The goal of this study was to identify potential environmental and demographic factors associated with Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), Salmonella enterica (Salmonella spp.), and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection in northern elephant seals stranded along the California coastline.Methods. E. coli, Salmonella spp., and C. jejuni were isolated from rectal swabs from 196 juvenile northern elephant seals, which were found stranded and alive along the California coast and brought to The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, for rehabilitation. Gender, weight, county where the animal stranded, month stranded, coastal human population density, exposure to sewage outfall or freshwater outflow (river or stream), and cumulative precipitation in the previous 24 hours, seven days, 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days were analyzed as potential risk factors for infection.Results. The odds of C. jejuni and antimicrobial-resistant E. coli were higher in feces of seals stranded at sites with higher levels of freshwater outflow compared with lower levels of freshwater outflow. The odds of Salmonella spp. in feces were 5.4 times greater in seals stranded in locations with lower levels of 30-day cumulative precipitation, along with substantially lower odds of Salmonella shedding for seals stranded in Monterey or Santa Cruz county compared with seals stranded in regions further north or south of this central California location.Conclusions. Juvenile northern elephant seals that have entered the water are being colonized by antimicrobial-resistant and pathogenic fecal bacteria that may be acquired from terrestrial sources transmitted via river and surface waters.

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“…Campylobacter insulaenigrae was isolated from three harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Scotland (7). The isolation of C. jejuni, C. lari, and an unknown Campylobacter species from juvenile northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in California was also reported (22). Finally, 71 isolates of C. insulaenigrae and 1 isolate similar to but distinct from both Campylobacter upsaliensis and Campylobacter helveticus were isolated from northern elephant seals in California (23).…”

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Isolation and Characterization of Campylobacter spp. from Antarctic Fur Seals ( Arctocephalus gazella ) at Deception Island, Antarctica

Pérez-Boto

Jiménez²,

Miguel³

et al. 2010

Appl Environ Microbiol

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The presence of Campylobacter spp. was investigated in 41 Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) and 9 Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) at Deception Island, Antarctica. Infections were encountered in six Antarctic fur seals. The isolates, the first reported from marine mammals in the Antarctic region, were identified as Campylobacter insulaenigrae and Campylobacter lari.The Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions are often regarded as pristine landscapes, unaffected by human activity. A limited number of surveys have been carried out to investigate the possible occurrence of zoonotic enteropathogens and if certain bacteria could be used as tools for evaluating biological pollution in this area (4, 11). In the case of Campylobacter species, there have been only three reports in the literature, but in all of them Campylobacter was isolated from marine seabirds but not from marine mammals. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic areas from Macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) (4), and Campylobacter lari was isolated from Brown skuas, South Polar skuas, and Adelie penguins (2, 11).Reports of Campylobacter species isolated from marine mammals are rare. Campylobacter insulaenigrae was isolated from three harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Scotland (7). The isolation of C. jejuni, C. lari, and an unknown Campylobacter species from juvenile northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in California was also reported (22). Finally, 71 isolates of C. insulaenigrae and 1 isolate similar to but distinct from both Campylobacter upsaliensis and Campylobacter helveticus were isolated from northern elephant seals in California (23). In the South Georgia Archipelago, fecal swabs were taken from 206 Antarctic fur seal pups, but no isolates could be obtained (4). In this study, we successfully isolated C. lari from 7.3% of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) sampled and C. insulaenigrae from a further 7.3%. On the other hand, Campylobacter was not detected in the nine Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) sampled. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of C. lari and C. insulaenigrae from marine mammals in the Antarctic region.Fieldwork was conducted at Deception Island (latitude of 62°58ЈS and longitude of 60°40ЈW), in the South Shetland Islands. During January to February 2007, Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) and Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) were captured and fecal samples were collected by insertion of sterile cotton wool swabs into the rectum of the marine mammals. A total of 41 Antarctic fur seals and 9 Weddell seals were sampled. The distribution by ages was of 7 adults (over 4 years of age with breeding activity), 19 subadults (2 to 4 years of age), and 15 juvenile Antarctic fur seals (less than 2 years of age), and 8 adult Weddell seals and 1 juvenile. All animals presented a good body condition and showed no symptoms at the time of sampling.Three swabs were taken from each animal and wer...

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SalmonellaandCampylobacterspp. in Northern Elephant Seals, California

Cited by 44 publications

References 8 publications

Campylobacter insulaenigrae Isolates from Northern Elephant Seals ( Mirounga angustirostris ) in California

Campylobacter insulaenigrae Isolates from Northern Elephant Seals ( Mirounga angustirostris ) in California

Risk Factors for Infection with Pathogenic and Antimicrobial-Resistant Fecal Bacteria in Northern Elephant Seals in California

Isolation and Characterization of Campylobacter spp. from Antarctic Fur Seals ( Arctocephalus gazella ) at Deception Island, Antarctica

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