Pathological and serological evidence of Brucella-infection in baleen whales (Mysticeti) in the western North Pacific

Abstract

Abnormal testes and uterus were observed in 13 males (33%) and one female (3%) out of 40 common minke whales ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the western North Pacific. Similar lesions were found in testis and ovary, respectively, in one male (2%) and female (2%) out of 43 Bryde's whales ( Balaenoptera edeni) in the western North Pacific. Grossly, granular lesions with caseation and calcification were main pathological signs, and they were restricted to reproductive organs of mature whales. Chronic purulent or granulomatous orchitis was observed by microscopic analysis. Antibodies to Brucella species were detected in the serum samples of 15/40 (38%) of common minke whales and 4/43 (9%) of Bryde's whales. Neither pathological nor serological change was found in the examined sperm whales ( Physeter macrocephalus) in the western North Pacific and Antarctic minke whales ( Balaenoptera bonaerensis). These results strongly suggest that Brucella infection was involved in two species of baleen whales (Mysticeti) in the North Pacific.