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Research article2018Peer reviewedOpen access

Seroprevalence for Brucella spp. in Baltic ringed seals (Phoca hispida) and East Greenland harp (Pagophilus groenlandicus) and hooded (Cystophora cristata) seals

Sonne, Christian; Andersen-Ranberg, Emilie; Rajala, Elisabeth L.; Agerholm, Jorgen S.; Bonefeld-Jorgensen, Eva; Desforges, Jean-Pierre; Eulaers, Igor; Jenssen, Bjorn M.; Koch, Anders; Rosing-Asvid, Aqqalu; Siebert, Ursula; Tryland, Morten; Mulvad, Gert; Harkonen, Tero; Acquarone, Mario; Nordoy, Erling S.; Dietz, Rune; Magnusson, Ulf

Abstract

Zoonotic infections transmitted from marine mammals to humans in the Baltic and European Arctic are of unknown significance, despite given considerable potential for transmission due to local hunt. Here we present results of an initial screening for Brucella spp. in Arctic and Baltic seal species. Baltic ringed seals (Pusa hispida, n = 12) sampled in October 2015 and Greenland Sea harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus, n = 6) and hooded seals (Cystophora cristata, n = 3) sampled in March 2015 were serologically analysed for antibodies against Brucella spp. The serological analyses were performed using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) followed by a confirmatory testing of RBT-positive samples by a competitive-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA). Two of the Baltic ringed seals (a juvenile male and a juvenile female) were seropositive thus indicating previous exposure to a Brucella spp. The findings indicate that ringed seals in the Baltic ecosystem may be exposed to and possibly infected by Brucella spp. No seropositive individuals were detected among the Greenland harp and hooded seals. Although our initial screening shows a zoonotic hazard to Baltic locals, a more in-depth epidemiological investigation is needed in order to determine the human risk associated with this.

Keywords

Arctic; Humans; One health; Zoonosis

Published in

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
2018, Volume: 198, pages: 14-18
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

      SLU Authors

      • Sustainable Development Goals

      SDG14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Clinical Science

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2018.02.005

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/95050