The prevalence of antibodies to morbilliviruses, Brucella, and Toxoplasma in the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus ponticus maintained in captivity

Abstract

The prevalence of antibodies to morbilliviruses, Brucella and Toxoplasma was studied in the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus ponticus maintained in captivity. Serum from 59 dolphins was tested, and in most cases the tests were repeated 2–4 years later. Antibodies to the tested pathogens were detected in 69% of the dolphins. Sixteen Black Sea bottlenose dolphin maintained in captivity (27%) had antibodies to two, or even three, of the pathogens. No apparent signs of infection were found in the dolphins; however, the high prevalence of antibodies to the morbilliviruses, Brucella, and Toxoplasma may indicate an important role of dolphins in the ecology of these pathogens.