Viral Skin Diseases in Odontocete Cetaceans: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

What is it about?

This study analyzed skin lesions from 31 stranded cetaceans along the Canary coasts over seven years. Lesions were tested for cetacean poxvirus, herpesvirus, and cetacean morbillivirus using macroscopic, histological, and molecular analyses. Poxvirus was detected in 54.54% of lesions, herpesvirus in 43.63%, and morbillivirus in 1.82%. Coinfection of poxvirus and herpesvirus was found in nine lesions. Common histopathological findings were hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, ballooning degeneration, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in vacuolized keratinocytes. The study is the first to report coinfection by both pathogens in cetacean skin lesions. Further research is needed to understand the epidemiology of these emerging infectious diseases. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of using multidisciplinary approaches to diagnose skin diseases in cetaceans. The findings also emphasize the value of stranded cetaceans as resources for understanding the health of marine mammals. Future research should combine macroscopic, histological, and molecular analyses to gain a better understanding of the epidemiology of viral skin diseases in cetacean populations.

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Why is it important?

This research is important for several reasons: It highlights the importance of using multidisciplinary approaches that combine macroscopic, histological, and molecular analyses to better understand skin diseases in cetaceans, which can serve as potential health indicators for these marine mammals. The study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of various pathogens, such as cetacean poxvirus, herpesvirus, and cetacean morbillivirus, in skin lesions of stranded cetaceans, enabling a better understanding of the epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases in cetacean populations. The research underscores the limitations of relying solely on visual appraisals for diagnosing skin diseases in cetaceans, which can lead to misinterpretation and an inadequate understanding of the pathogens involved. The study is the first to report on the molecular identification of cetacean poxvirus and herpesvirus in skin lesions of several species of stranded cetaceans, as well as the first to describe coinfection by both pathogens in skin lesions. Key Takeaways: 1. This study is the first multidisciplinary analysis of skin lesions in several species of stranded cetaceans, using macroscopic, histological, and molecular methods. 2. Cetacean poxvirus was detected in 54.54% of the skin lesions, while herpesvirus and morbillivirus were detected in 43.63% and 1.82% of the lesions, respectively. 3. Coinfection of poxvirus and herpesvirus was detected in nine of the skin lesions (16.36%), which highlights the importance of using multiple diagnostic methods to better understand skin diseases in cetaceans. 4. Tattoo-like skin lesions were the most prevalent and were associated with early CePV-1 amplifications, suggesting they may be the initial manifestations of tumor-induced skin disease (TSD) in cetaceans.