Yeast infection in a beached southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) neonate
Date
2009
Authors
Mouton, Marnel
Reeb, Desray
Botha, Alfred
Best, Peter
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wildlife Disease Association
Abstract
A female southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) neonate was found stranded on
the Western Cape coast of southern Africa. Skin samples were taken the same day from three
different locations on the animal’s body and stored at 220 C. Isolation through repetitive culture
of these skin sections yielded a single yeast species, Candida zeylanoides. Total genomic DNA also
was isolated directly from skin samples. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the internal
transcribed spacer region of the fungal ribosomal gene cluster revealed the presence of
Filobasidiella neoformans var. neoformans, the teleomorphic state of Cryptococcus neoformans.
Fungal infections in cetaceans seem to be limited when compared to infections caused by bacteria,
viruses and parasites. However, Candida species appear to be the most common type of fungal
infection associated with cetaceans. To our knowledge this is the first report of a C. zeylanoides
infection in a mysticete, as well as the first report of a dual infection involving two opportunistic
pathogenic yeast species in a cetacean.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.jwildlifedis.org/
Keywords
Candida zeylanoides, Eubalaena australis, Filobasidiella neoformans var. neoformans, Skin biopsies, Southern right whales -- Diseases and pests, Yeast infections
Citation
Mouton, M., Reeb, D., Botha, A. & Best, P. 2009. 'Yeast infection in a beached southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) neonate'. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 45(3), pp. 692–699.