Brucella ceti in Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in Portugal-Characterization of First Isolates.

ABSTRACT: This study investigates Brucella ceti infection in marine mammals stranded along the Lisbon and Tagus Valley coast between 2022 and mid-2024, marking the first report of Brucella presence in Portuguese waters. Out of 59 examined marine mammals, B. ceti was isolated in three common dolphins (5.1%), a prevalence rate consistent with previous studies from other coastlines. PCR-based detection indicated a higher infection rate (23.7%), suggesting an underestimation of the prevalence of B. ceti infection in this population. Multi-locus Sequence Typing (MLST) and Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis (MLVA) revealed distinct genetic profiles and close relationships to B. ceti strains from the Atlantic, supporting the hypothesis of specific host-

SUBMITTER: Cavaco S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11816080 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature