Neurological signs in juvenile harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) with fatal phocine distemper

摘要: In 2002, the northern European harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) population experienced an epidemic of phocine distemper virus (PDV) in which 22,000 seals died. Clinical signs were recorded 20 pups admitted to Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre with clinical disease, they diagnosed PDV infection-positive by RT-PCR postmortem. All had respiratory signs, 14 conjunctivitis 10 neurological signs. Severe one criteria for euthanasia during epidemic, many that euthanased not included this study owing lack complete datasets. Neurological therefore among most prevalent fatal infection pups. The lymphoid depletion reported dead was reflected total mononuclear leucocyte count pups, but absolute granulocytosis, thrombocytosis, anaemia, high white blood cell counts. When first examined, 11 a positive serum IgG titre, four IgM titre. High levels PDV-specific antibodies correlated absence or longer survival.