Abstract
AbstractThe first evidence of exposure of free‐ranging Florida manatees (Trichechus manatees latirostris) to a morbillivirus is reported. Blood samples were collected from 148 Florida manatees between 1977 and 1994. The sample included manatees that were under rehabilitation (n = 97), free‐ranging (n = 40) and fresh necropsy specimens (n = 11). Serum from six animals (4%) neutralized porpoise and dolphin morbilliviruses to a higher titer than any other member of the Morbillivirus genus. Antibodies were not detected in sera from 12 free‐ranging Antillean manatees (T. manatus manatus) from Guyana sampled in 1992 or from 12 hand‐reared Amazonian manatees (T. inunguis) sampled in 1984. Immunoprecipitation studies using radio‐labelled canine distemper virus protein and serum from Florida manatees showed precipitation of the nucleo‐capsid (N) protein. The combination of low antibody titers and absence of clinical disease suggest that the Florida manatee is a dead‐end host. Sporadic infection may occur following contact with another species in which infection is enzootic. Morbillivirus could, either by fatal infection or more insidious effects on the immune system or reproduction, pose a problem to this already threatened species.
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