Nasitrema sp.-associated encephalitis in a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded in the Gulf of Mexico

J Wildl Dis. 1991 Oct;27(4):706-9. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-27.4.706.

Abstract

An immature female striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) found dead on a northwestern Florida beach in 1988 exhibited severe inflammation bilaterally in the dorsal and mid-thalamus in association with adult trematodes (Nasitrema sp.) and trematode eggs. Numerous specimens of Nasitrema sp. also were present in the pterygoid sinuses. Pneumonia in association with a heavy growth of Vibrio damsela was observed also. This report confirms the occurrence of Nasitrema sp.-associated encephalitis in striped dolphins and in small cetaceans from the Gulf of Mexico.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / parasitology*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Dolphins / parasitology*
  • Encephalitis / parasitology
  • Encephalitis / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Florida
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Pneumonia / complications
  • Pneumonia / veterinary
  • Thalamus / parasitology
  • Thalamus / pathology
  • Trematode Infections / complications
  • Trematode Infections / parasitology
  • Trematode Infections / pathology
  • Trematode Infections / veterinary*
  • Vibrio Infections / complications
  • Vibrio Infections / veterinary