Post Mortem Findings of Cetaceans Stranded Along the Campania Coast from 2016 to 2022

The presence of cetaceans along the Campania coast has always been documented. Between 2016 and 2022, out of 65 cetaceans stranded along the Campania coast, 46 were studied for bacteriological, virological, parasitological, and histopathological investigations. The results highlighted that for 59% (n = 27) of the specimens, the cause of death was of natural origin, while for only 2% (n = 1) of animals, the origin of death was ascribed to anthropic causes. Unfortunately, for 39% (n = 18) of the cetaceans, it was impossible to determine the cause of death. All the cetaceans that died of natural causes showed viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. The primary pathogens detected were <i>Cetacean Morbillivirus</i> (CeMV, 65.2%, n = 30/46), <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> (10.9%, n = 5/46), and <i>Brucella ceti</i> (8.7%, n = 4/46). The animals showed typical lesions of the isolated pathogens, such as systemic infection, meningoencephalitis, and pneumonia. Moreover, even with a lower frequency, other relevant pathogens like <i>Photobacterium damselae</i>, <i>Salmonella enteritidis</i>, <i>Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae</i>, and <i>Chlamydia abortus</i> were isolated. These data were useful to understand the spread and circulation of these pathogens, some zoonotic, in the coastal marine waters of the Campania region.

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Journal
Animals
Published
2025-06-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15121812
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Marine animal studies overview
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
3.43
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article

Post Mortem Findings of Cetaceans Stranded Along the Campania Coast from 2016 to 2022

Marianna D’Amore, Maria Oliviero, Maria Grazia Amoroso, Federica Giorda et al.
2 citations
Animals
Marine animal studies overview
3.43
article

Post Mortem Findings of Cetaceans Stranded Along the Campania Coast from 2016 to 2022

Marianna D’Amore, Maria Oliviero, Maria Grazia Amoroso, Federica Giorda, Fabio Di Nocera, Amalia Gallo, Guido Pietroluongo, Doriana Iaccarino, Cinzia Centelleghe, Barbara Ďegli Uberti, Martina Levante, Virginia Mattioda, Francesco Serra, Francesca Bove, Maria Gabriella Lucibelli, Carla Grattarola, Clementina Auriemma, Giovanna Fusco, Emanuele Esposito, Esterina De Carlo, Gianluigi Paduano, Maria Dimatteo, Agata Campione, Francesca Menafro
article en
2 citations

Abstract

The presence of cetaceans along the Campania coast has always been documented. Between 2016 and 2022, out of 65 cetaceans stranded along the Campania coast, 46 were studied for bacteriological, virological, parasitological, and histopathological investigations. The results highlighted that for 59% (n = 27) of the specimens, the cause of death was of natural origin, while for only 2% (n = 1) of animals, the origin of death was ascribed to anthropic causes. Unfortunately, for 39% (n = 18) of the cetaceans, it was impossible to determine the cause of death. All the cetaceans that died of natural causes showed viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. The primary pathogens detected were <i>Cetacean Morbillivirus</i> (CeMV, 65.2%, n = 30/46), <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> (10.9%, n = 5/46), and <i>Brucella ceti</i> (8.7%, n = 4/46). The animals showed typical lesions of the isolated pathogens, such as systemic infection, meningoencephalitis, and pneumonia. Moreover, even with a lower frequency, other relevant pathogens like <i>Photobacterium damselae</i>, <i>Salmonella enteritidis</i>, <i>Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae</i>, and <i>Chlamydia abortus</i> were isolated. These data were useful to understand the spread and circulation of these pathogens, some zoonotic, in the coastal marine waters of the Campania region.

AnimalsVol. 15(12)
University of Siena (IT), University of Padua (IT), CoNISMa (IT), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno (IT), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'Aosta (IT)
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Marine animal studies overview
3.43
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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