RESUMO
Background: Renal cystic diseases (RCD) are characterized by cystic structures on renal parenchyma associated withobstructive lesions, membranous disruptions, and/or growth disturbances. The polycystic kidney disease (PKD) showsspecific pathological characteristics, related to mutations on PKD1 and/or PKD2 chromosome locus on humans. In Persiancats and bull terriers the condition is like the human adult-onset PKD, while in Perendale sheep the childhood-like isdescribed. In cetaceans, RCD are reported, however the characterization of PKD is scarcely described. This report aimsto describe two cases of PKD and one of RCD in stranded Steno bredanensis, and to discuss the disease associated factors.Cases: Four rough-toothed-dolphins were found stranded in the Paraná coast, southern Brazil between 2016 to 2018,through the Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project (PMP-BS), one of the systematic monitoring programs required byBrazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) for the environmental licensing processof oil production and transport by Petrobras in the presalt province. In three animals histological sampling was performed.One of them (animal 3) was found alive, presenting altered buoyancy with lateralization to the right and signs of pneumonia. The blood analysis showed anemia and leukocytosis. The animal showed poor clinical prognosis, and even withsupportive treatment, come to death four days after the rescue. Routine autopsies were performed on all animals. Animals1 and 2 presented macroscopically enlarged kidneys containing disseminated cystic...(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Golfinhos/genética , Doenças Renais Policísticas/veterinária , Golfinhos/microbiologia , Golfinhos/parasitologiaRESUMO
Background: Renal cystic diseases (RCD) are characterized by cystic structures on renal parenchyma associated withobstructive lesions, membranous disruptions, and/or growth disturbances. The polycystic kidney disease (PKD) showsspecific pathological characteristics, related to mutations on PKD1 and/or PKD2 chromosome locus on humans. In Persiancats and bull terriers the condition is like the human adult-onset PKD, while in Perendale sheep the childhood-like isdescribed. In cetaceans, RCD are reported, however the characterization of PKD is scarcely described. This report aimsto describe two cases of PKD and one of RCD in stranded Steno bredanensis, and to discuss the disease associated factors.Cases: Four rough-toothed-dolphins were found stranded in the Paraná coast, southern Brazil between 2016 to 2018,through the Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project (PMP-BS), one of the systematic monitoring programs required byBrazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) for the environmental licensing processof oil production and transport by Petrobras in the presalt province. In three animals histological sampling was performed.One of them (animal 3) was found alive, presenting altered buoyancy with lateralization to the right and signs of pneumonia. The blood analysis showed anemia and leukocytosis. The animal showed poor clinical prognosis, and even withsupportive treatment, come to death four days after the rescue. Routine autopsies were performed on all animals. Animals1 and 2 presented macroscopically enlarged kidneys containing disseminated cystic...
Assuntos
Masculino , Animais , Doenças Renais Policísticas/veterinária , Golfinhos/genética , Golfinhos/microbiologia , Golfinhos/parasitologiaRESUMO
The Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis, is a small cetacean species found on the Atlantic coast of Central and South America from Honduras to Santa Catarina State, Brazil. The nematode Halocercus brasiliensis infects this cetacean, resulting in lung pathologies and death. The present study aimed to conduct a morphological and morphometric study of specimens of H. brasiliensis collected from S. guianensis from the coast of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. For this study, 7 dolphins were collected and examined for the presence of lung parasites. Nematodes were collected and processed for light microscopy, and lung fragments were processed for histological analysis. The nematodes were identified as H. brasiliensis according to their morphology and morphometry. The histopathological analysis revealed mineralization of the bronchiolar cartilage and inflammatory process. The parasitic infections by H. brasiliensis in S. guianensis can contribute to the debilitating status of these cetaceans, resulting in their stranding and accidental capture in fishing nets.
Assuntos
Golfinhos/parasitologia , Metastrongyloidea/anatomia & histologia , Infecções por Strongylida/veterinária , Animais , Oceano Atlântico , Brasil , Feminino , Pulmão/parasitologia , Pulmão/patologia , Masculino , Metastrongyloidea/classificação , Metastrongyloidea/patogenicidade , Infecções por Strongylida/parasitologia , Infecções por Strongylida/patologiaRESUMO
A pregnant adult female finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) stranded off the coast of Phuket, Thailand and died during attempted rehabilitation. The cadaver was frozen for use in a Marine mammal stranding training event. During necropsy, the animal was observed to have approximately 60% of the gastric mucosa embedded with exophytic, heart shaped digenean trematodes interpreted to be Braunina cordiformis. Tissue samples were collected from the stomach to include the embedded parasites and these were evaluated histopathologically, confirming the diagnosis. This is the first report of Braunina cordiformis trematodes in Asian waters and the first report of the parasite in a finless porpoise.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Toninhas/anatomia & histologia , Toninhas/parasitologia , Golfinhos/parasitologia , Infecções por Trematódeos/diagnóstico , Infecções por Trematódeos/veterináriaRESUMO
A pregnant adult female finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) stranded off the coast of Phuket, Thailand and died during attempted rehabilitation. The cadaver was frozen for use in a Marine mammal stranding training event. During necropsy, the animal was observed to have approximately 60% of the gastric mucosa embedded with exophytic, heart shaped digenean trematodes interpreted to be Braunina cordiformis. Tissue samples were collected from the stomach to include the embedded parasites and these were evaluated histopathologically, confirming the diagnosis. This is the first report of Braunina cordiformis trematodes in Asian waters and the first report of the parasite in a finless porpoise.
Assuntos
Animais , Golfinhos/parasitologia , Infecções por Trematódeos/diagnóstico , Infecções por Trematódeos/veterinária , Toninhas/anatomia & histologia , Toninhas/parasitologiaRESUMO
Pontoporia blainvillei (Gervais and d'Orbigny, 1844) is an endangered small cetacean endemic to South America with four Franciscana Management Areas (FMA) recognized as different population stocks. The role of the intestinal parasite Synthesium pontoporiae (Digenea: Brachycladiidae) as a possible biological marker to differentiate P. blainvillei stocks was evaluated using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers. Internal transcribed sequence 1 and 2 (ITS1 and ITS2) regions of S. pontoporiae did not show intraspecific variability. The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (ND3) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences suggested lack of population structure in S. pontoporiae and population expansion. The apparent panmixia of S. pontoporiae may be due to the high mobility of one or more of its intermediary hosts. Alternatively, it may be due to the small sample size. This result is incongruent with the previously proposed FMA.
Assuntos
Infecções por Cestoides/veterinária , Golfinhos/parasitologia , Variação Genética , Enteropatias Parasitárias/veterinária , Platelmintos/genética , Platelmintos/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Argentina , Brasil , Infecções por Cestoides/epidemiologia , Infecções por Cestoides/parasitologia , Complexo IV da Cadeia de Transporte de Elétrons/genética , Espécies em Perigo de Extinção , Proteínas de Helminto/genética , Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/parasitologia , Dados de Sequência Molecular , NADH Desidrogenase/genética , Filogenia , Platelmintos/classificação , Platelmintos/enzimologiaRESUMO
The parasitic fauna of cetaceans is an important tool for ecological studies, including analyses on the causes of death. Halocercus brasiliensis is a nematode frequently found in the bronchi and bronchioles of some cetaceans, and it is commonly associated with focal inflammation of the respiratory tract leading to bacterial pneumonia and septicemia and, sometimes, to death. The objective of this study was to report infections by H. brasiliensis in the respiratory tract of Delphinidae stranded on the northern seaside of Bahia, Sergipe, and south of Alagoas, all states in the northeast region of Brazil. A total of 30 individuals, 1 Feresa attenuate (pygmy killer whale), 9 Stenella clymene (Clymene dolphin), and 20 Sotalia guianensis (Guiana dolphin) were studied. In 16 of them, the presence of H. brasiliensis was observed with a mean intensity of 3.5 ± 0.6 (range 1-9) in the hosts. Macroscopically, parasitic calcified nodules, lung congestion, edema, and emphysema were observed. Histopathological examination showed interstitial and granulomatous pneumonia with multifocal infiltrates, discrete to moderate edema, congestion, diffuse hemorrhage, and foci of calcification. We conclude that parasitic pneumonia in the sampled individuals may have directly contributed to stranding and death of the animals.
Assuntos
Golfinhos/parasitologia , Pneumopatias Parasitárias/veterinária , Pulmão/patologia , Metastrongyloidea/patogenicidade , Infecções por Strongylida/veterinária , Animais , Brasil , Calcinose/parasitologia , Calcinose/patologia , Calcinose/veterinária , Feminino , Pulmão/parasitologia , Pneumopatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Pneumopatias Parasitárias/patologia , Masculino , Metastrongyloidea/isolamento & purificação , Prevalência , Infecções por Strongylida/epidemiologia , Infecções por Strongylida/patologiaRESUMO
This study describes toxoplasmosis in a by caught Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guinensis) from Paranaguá Bay, Paraná, Brazil. Interstitial pneumonia, multisystemic arteritis, multifocal adrenalitis and hepatitis were the primary lesions observed. These tissues had moderate to severe necrosis and mononuclear cells infiltration usually surrounded by tachyzoites and tissue cysts. Moderate lymphoid depletion was evident in the spleen. Toxoplasma gondii was positive by immunohistochemical and ultrastructural evaluation. Furthermore, the animal was negative for Morbillivirus by immunohistochemistry and had low levels of persistent organochlorines. There is evidence of environmental changes in the Paranaguá Bay that could justify the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in Guiana dolphin. The sewage run-off from main urban areas and the presence of domestic and wild felids in areas surrounding the bay could be a source of T. gondii oocysts from land to sea. Based on its habitat, the authors recommend this dolphin species as sentinels for the health of bays and estuaries where they occur.
Assuntos
Golfinhos/parasitologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/patologia , Animais , Brasil , Feminino , Toxoplasma/fisiologiaRESUMO
Synthesium pontoporiae, exclusive parasite of the endangered dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, is endemic and restricted to the South Atlantic and belongs to the Brachycladiidae family Odhner, 1905. The study of this family has been limited by the difficulty of accessing the parasites from their marine mammal hosts and as a consequence there is a paucity of genetic information available. Herein we present a genetic analysis using 18S rDNA sequences of S. pontoporiae and S. tursionis and the ND3 mtDNA sequence of S. pontoporiae. The genetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences of brachycladiids and acanthocolpids determined two major clusters associated with their definitive hosts, marine mammals and fishes, respectively. Considering the tree topology of brachycladiids ND3 mtDNA gene, two clusters were defined, one with the Synthesium species. This work contributes with fundamental genetic information on S. pontoporiae, and suggests a Brachycladiidae genetic evolution related to their hosts.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Animais/parasitologia , Golfinhos/parasitologia , Doenças dos Peixes/parasitologia , Peixes/parasitologia , Trematódeos/genética , Infecções por Trematódeos/parasitologia , Animais , Evolução Biológica , Brasil , DNA Mitocondrial/análise , DNA Mitocondrial/genética , Interações Hospedeiro-Parasita/genética , Intestinos/parasitologia , Filogenia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , RNA Ribossômico 18S/análise , RNA Ribossômico 18S/genética , Especificidade da Espécie , Trematódeos/classificação , Trematódeos/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
Toxoplasma gondii is an important pathogen in aquatic mammals and its presence in these animals may indicate the water contamination of aquatic environment by oocysts. Serum samples from 95 free-living Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) from the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve (RDSM), Tefé, Amazonas, Central Amazon, Brazil were tested for T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies (MAT ≥ 25) to T. gondii were found in 82 (86.3%) dolphins with titers of 1:25 in 24, 1:50 in 56, and 1:500 in 2. Results suggest a high level contamination of the aquatic environment of the home range of these animals.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Golfinhos/parasitologia , Toxoplasma/imunologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/epidemiologia , Testes de Aglutinação/veterinária , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Feminino , Masculino , Oocistos , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Toxoplasma/isolamento & purificação , Toxoplasmose Animal/diagnóstico , Toxoplasmose Animal/parasitologiaRESUMO
From May 1997 to October 2000, 49 Sotalia guianensis (tucuxi dolphin) incidentally caught in fishing nets or stranded in São Paulo (SP) and Paraná (PR) states in Brazil were necropsied. In total, 17 lungs, 35 stomachs, and 30 intestines were analyzed. Contents were washed through a sieve (mesh, 150 mm) and examined under a stereoscopic microscope for parasites. Histopathologic analyses were performed in the lungs of five infected dolphins. The nematode Halocercus brasiliensis was found in 88% of all lungs examined, inducing moderate-to-severe pneumonia. Braunina cordiformis, Anisakis sp., and acanthocephalans were found in the stomachs. The trematode Synthesium tursionis was the only parasite found in the intestines, and it was identified in 73% of the animals necropsied. No macroscopic lesions were seen due to parasites in the stomachs and intestines analyzed.
Assuntos
Golfinhos/parasitologia , Helmintíase Animal/epidemiologia , Acantocéfalos/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Anisakis/isolamento & purificação , Brasil/epidemiologia , Feminino , Masculino , Nematoides/isolamento & purificação , Trematódeos/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
Until now, Anisakis typica has been the sole anisakid identified by means of genetic markers from the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil. In this study we developed, and applied to larvae and adults, an A. typica-specific molecular identification protocol based on the complete intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Anisakids from the dolphin Sotalia guianensis and from the frigate tuna, Auxis thazard, caught off the coast of Brazil, were processed using two DNA extraction methods. Molecular diagnosis identified A. typica in 13 of 15 samples. Complete ITS analysis showed that the remaining two isolates were in fact A. physeteris. Maximum parsimony analysis of complete ITS region (915 bp) confirmed these results. Our study verified the dominance of A. typica infecting hosts from the Brazilian coast and showed, for the first time, the presence of A. physeteris in the intermediate/paratenic host A. thazard in this region.
Assuntos
Anisaquíase/veterinária , Anisakis/genética , Golfinhos/parasitologia , Doenças dos Peixes/parasitologia , Atum/parasitologia , Animais , Anisaquíase/parasitologia , Anisakis/isolamento & purificação , Oceano Atlântico , Sequência de Bases , Brasil , DNA Espaçador Ribossômico/genética , Humanos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Filogenia , Alinhamento de Sequência , Homologia de Sequência do Ácido NucleicoRESUMO
We studied the helminths of 18 common dolphins, Delphinus delphis, from northern Patagonia. Parasites were found only in the gastrointestinal tract. Four species were in the stomach, the nematode Anisakis simplex, the acanthocephalan Corynosoma cetaceum, and the digeneans Braunina cordiformis and Pholeter gastrophilus, plus 1 digenean in the hepatopancreatic ducts, Oschmarinella rochebruni. Infection levels were low (0-155 parasites). Braunina cordiformis and C. cetaceum were the most prevalent species. Anisakis simplex was mainly concentrated in the forestomach, B. cordiformis in the main stomach, and C. cetaceum in the pyloric stomach. Component diversity was low and component evenness was intermediate. Infracommunity diversity was also low, and the mean evenness was higher than at the component community level. Low prevalence in common dolphins is consistent with parasite assemblages of other cetaceans off Patagonia. None of the parasites found is specific to this host species within the study area. We suggest that potential prey are probably important in parasite transmission in this and other dolphins from the Patagonian region.
Assuntos
Golfinhos/parasitologia , Ecossistema , Trato Gastrointestinal/parasitologia , Helmintíase Animal/parasitologia , Helmintos/classificação , Enteropatias Parasitárias/parasitologia , Animais , Argentina , Dieta , Golfinhos/fisiologia , Feminino , Helmintos/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Helmintos/isolamento & purificação , Masculino , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
We collected 83 females and 80 males of Corynosoma cetaceum from 2 common dolphins, Delphinus delphis, collected in northern Patagonia (Argentina). Worms were most similar to specimens collected in other South American localities. However, 1 male had 2 spines adjacent to the genital pore and isolated from the rest of body spines. This finding confirms the recent reassignment of C. cetaceum to Corynosoma. Absence of genital spines is suggested to be avoided as the sole criterion to exclude specimens from Corynosoma or Andracantha.
Assuntos
Acantocéfalos/anatomia & histologia , Golfinhos/parasitologia , Acantocéfalos/classificação , Animais , Argentina , Feminino , MasculinoRESUMO
Stenurus globicephalae Baylis et Daubney, 1925 (Nematoda: Pseudaliidae) was found in the cranial air sinuses of a false killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens (Owen), stranded on the coast of Uruguay in 1999. Although this species has been reported once in P. crassidens from the North Atlantic, this is the first record for South America. A total of 920 specimens were obtained, of which 663 were females (body length: 4.34 +/- 0.45 cm) and 257 were males (2.99 +/- 0.18 cm). Morphometric details are presented for S. globicephalae in this host, which do not show significant differences from those parasitizing Globicephala melas (Traill), but are distinct from those parasitizing Peponocephala electra (Gray). The host's skull revealed loss of osseous mass with the disappearance of the left zygomatic arch, and the left jaw had three osseous fenestrations in the region related to the organ of acoustic reception. These lesions support the hypothesis that this infection, known as stenurosis, was related to the stranding.
Assuntos
Golfinhos/parasitologia , Nematoides/classificação , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Nematoides/anatomia & histologia , Nematoides/isolamento & purificação , UruguaiRESUMO
The gastrointestinal tract of 14 false killer whales, 6 males and 8 females, stranded in June 1995 in southern Brazil, with total standard lengths from 338 to 507 cm, were analysed for endoparasites and food items. A pregnant female had a male foetus of 77.5 cm. Parasites were found in all 14 false killer whales. The nematode Anisakis simplex (Rudolphi, 1809) was found in the stomach of 57% of the animals and the acanthocephalan Bolbosoma capitatum (Linstow, 1889) Porta, 1908 was present in the intestine of all specimens and showed densities up to 600 m-1. An unidentified cestode (Tethrabothridae) was found also in the intestines of 14% of the individuals. The high infections of B. capitatum and A. simplex were not directly related with the cause of death. In the stomachs of four females, beaks of at least eight specimens of the oceanic and epipelagic species Ommastrephes bartramii (Lesueur, 1821) were found, with mantle lengths ranging from 189.8 to 360.9 mm. The distribution of O. bartramii in the coast of Rio Grande do Sul is consistent with false killer whales feeding in continental shelf waters.
Assuntos
Golfinhos/parasitologia , Preferências Alimentares , Gastroenteropatias/veterinária , Helmintíase Animal/parasitologia , Helmintos/isolamento & purificação , Acantocéfalos/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Brasil , Cestoides/isolamento & purificação , Golfinhos/fisiologia , Feminino , Gastroenteropatias/parasitologia , Masculino , Nematoides/isolamento & purificação , GravidezRESUMO
The gastrointestinal tract of 14 false killer whales, 6 males and 8 females, stranded in June 1995 in southern Brazil, with total standard lengths from 338 to 507 cm, were analysed for endoparasites and food items. A pregnant female had a male foetus of 77.5 cm. Parasites were found in all 14 false killer whales. The nematode Anisakis simplex (Rudolphi, 1809) was found in the stomach of 57 percent of the animals and the acanthocephalan Bolbosoma capitatum (Linstow, 1889) Porta, 1908 was present in the intestine of all specimens and showed densities up to 600 m-1. An unidentified cestode (Tethrabothridae) was found also in the intestines of 14 percent of the individuals. The high infections of B. capitatum and A. simplex were not directly related with the cause of death. In the stomachs of four females, beaks of at least eight specimens of the oceanic and epipelagic species Ommastrephes bartramii (Lesueur, 1821) were found, with mantle lengths ranging from 189.8 to 360.9 mm. The distribution of O. bartramii in the coast of Rio Grande do Sul is consistent with false killer whales feeding in continental shelf waters
Assuntos
Animais , Feminino , Gravidez , Golfinhos/parasitologia , Preferências Alimentares , Gastroenteropatias/veterinária , Helmintíase Animal/parasitologia , Helmintos/isolamento & purificação , Acantocéfalos/isolamento & purificação , Cestoides/isolamento & purificação , Golfinhos/fisiologia , Gastroenteropatias/parasitologia , Nematoides/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
The stomachs and intestines of 9 Commerson's dolphins incidentally caught in trawl nets in central Patagonia and 23 stranded on beaches in Tierra del Fuego were surveyed for helminth parasites. A total of 267 individuals belonging to 4 species of parasites (1 nematode, 3 digeneans) were found in the dolphins from the first area: Anisakis sp. (larvae type 1 = A. simplex), Braunina cordiformis, Hadwenius sp. and Pholeter gastrophilus. In the Tierra del Fuego dolphins, 142 specimens belonging to 3 species (2 nematodes, 1 digenean, 1 cestode) were found: A. simplex, Hadwenius sp. and Strobilocephalus triangularis. Only 2 of the helminth species were shared in the 2 study areas, A. simplex and Hadwenius sp., and both were more common in central Patagonia. Among the species, A. simplex was most prevalent and abundant in both study areas. In Tierra del Fuego, adults of A. simplex appeared in only 1 host. Hadwenius sp., P. gastrophilus and S. triangularis are new host records for Commerson's dolphin. Species diversity and species richness were low in both study areas. Helminth communities were more diverse in central Patagonia (t = 1.97, df = 258, p < 0.05) and species richness was higher in central Patagonia (S = 4). No differences in diversity were observed between females and males of central Patagonia (t = 1.97, df = 139, p < 0.05) and between females of central Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. The results may suggest some differences in habitat use, diet and sex between Commerson's dolphin populations in the 2 study areas.
Assuntos
Golfinhos/parasitologia , Helmintíase Animal/epidemiologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/veterinária , Animais , Argentina/epidemiologia , Oceano Atlântico , Chile/epidemiologia , Dieta/veterinária , Feminino , Pesqueiros , Helmintíase Animal/parasitologia , Helmintos/classificação , Helmintos/isolamento & purificação , Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/parasitologia , Masculino , Prevalência , Fatores SexuaisRESUMO
Gastrointestinal helminths of the cetaceans Cephalorhynchus eutropia and Phocoena spinipinnis accidentally entangled in gillnets off the coast of Queule, Chile, were identified from 1989 to 1990. Pseudoterranova sp., Polymorphus (Polymorphus) cetaceum and Synthesium tursionis occurred in both cetaceans. Additionally, Anisakis sp. and Braunina cordiformis were found in C. eutropia, and Anisakis simplex was identified from P. spinipinnis. The species with the highest prevalence and mean intensity of infection in P. spinipinnis and C. eutropia were P. (P.) cetaceum and B. cordiformis, respectively. The diet of both cetaceans consists mainly of fishes.
Assuntos
Golfinhos/parasitologia , Helmintíase Animal , Enteropatias Parasitárias/veterinária , Animais , Chile/epidemiologia , Feminino , Helmintíase/epidemiologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Masculino , Oceano Pacífico , PrevalênciaRESUMO
An immature female striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) found dead on a northwestern Florida beach in 1988 exhibited severe inflammation bilaterally in the dorsal and mid-thalamus in association with adult trematodes (Nasitrema sp.) and trematode eggs. Numerous specimens of Nasitrema sp. also were present in the pterygoid sinuses. Pneumonia in association with a heavy growth of Vibrio damsela was observed also. This report confirms the occurrence of Nasitrema sp.-associated encephalitis in striped dolphins and in small cetaceans from the Gulf of Mexico.