[MARMAM] New publication on lungworm infections in German harbour porpoises

[Anja Reckendorf]

Dear all,

on behalf of my coauthors, I am very happy to announce that a new paper on lungworms in harbour porpoises has been published.

 

Anja Reckendorf, Eligius Everaarts, Paulien Bunskoek, Martin Haulena, Andrea Springer, Kristina Lehnert, Jan Lakemeyer, Ursula Siebert, Christina Strube.

Lungworm infections in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the German Wadden Sea between 2006 and 2018, and serodiagnostic tests.

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 

The open access article is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.01.001 

 

Abstract: Pseudaliid lungworm (Metastrongyloidea) infections and associated secondary bacterial infections may severely affect the health status of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in German waters. The presented retrospective analysis including data from 259 harbour porpoises stranded between 2006 and 2018 on the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein’s North Sea coast showed that 118 (46%) of these stranded individuals harboured a lungworm infection. During this 13-year period, a significant difference in annual lungworm prevalence was only observed between the years 2006 and 2016. Lungworm coinfections of bronchi and pulmonary blood vessels were observed in 85.6% of positive cases. Mild infection levels were detected in 22.9% of infected animals and were most common in the age class of immature individuals (74.1%). Moderate and severe infections were present in 38.1% and 39.0% of the lungworm positive animals, respectively. Their distribution in immatures (51.1% and 54.3%) and adults (48.9% and 43.4%) did not show significant differences. In stranded animals, lungworm diagnosis can be easily obtained via necropsy, while reliable lungworm diagnosis in living porpoises requires invasive bronchoscopy or faecal examination, which is difficult to obtain in cetaceans. To overcome this issue, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot based on recombinant major sperm protein (MSP) of the cattle lungworm were evaluated as potential diagnostic tools in harbour porpoises. However, in contrast to hitherto other investigated host species, no reliable antibody response pattern was detectable in harbour porpoise serum/plasma or whole blood samples. Thus, MSP-based serological tests are considered unsuitable for lungworm diagnosis in harbour porpoises. 

 

Anja Reckendorf

Veterinarian, PhD candidate

DipECZM (Wildlife Population Health)

EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Wildlife Population Health

Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW)    Institute for Parasitology
    University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation
   Werftstr. 6 / 25761 Büsum / Germany    Bünteweg 17 / 30559 Hannover / Germany

 

anja.reckend...@tiho-hannover.de

http://www.tiho-hannover.de/en/clinics-institutes/institutes/institute-for-terrestrial-and-aquatic-wildlife-research-itaw/ 

 

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[MARMAM] New publication on blow sampling of harbour porpoises

[Anja Reckendorf]

Dear all,

on behalf of my coauthors, I am happy to announce the open acccess publication of our paper on harbour porpoise blow collection and cortisol analysis through ELISA.

Reckendorf, Anja; Schmicke, Marion; Bunskoek, Paulien; Anderson Hansen, Kirstin; Thybo, Mette; Strube, Christina; Siebert, Ursula. 2021. "Is Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) Exhaled Breath Sampling Suitable for Hormonal Assessments?" Animals 11, no. 3: 907. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030907 

 

Abstract: Over the last decades, exhaled breath sampling has been established for laboratory analysis in various cetacean species. Due to their small size, the usability of respiratory vapor for hormone assessments was questionable in harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). This pilot study compared three different blow collection devices for their suitability in the field and during laboratory processing: a sterile petri dish covered by a Nitex membrane, as well as sterile 50 mL centrifuge tubes with or without manganese(II) chloride as a stabilizer. Collected exhales varied between three, five or ten, depending on feasibility. Hormones were extracted through an ether mix, followed by centrifugal evaporation and cortisol analysis using an immunoassay. Although close to the lower end of the assay's dynamic range, the ELISA produced results (n = 110, 0.102–0.937 ng/mL). Hence, a simple 50 mL centrifuge tube was determined as the best suited blow collection device, while three consecutive exhales proved sufficient to yield results. These findings are promising regarding the suitability of exhaled breath as a matrix for future endocrine and immune system-related studies in harbor porpoises. If further advanced, blow sampling can become an important, non-invasive tool for studying and monitoring health, stress levels and diseases in harbor porpoises.

 

Cheers,

Anja Reckendorf

Veterinarian, PhD candidate

DipECZM (Wildlife Population Health)

EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Wildlife Population Health

Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW)    Institute for Parasitology
    University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation
   Werftstr. 6 / 25761 Büsum / Germany    Bünteweg 17 / 30559 Hannover / Germany

 

anja.reckend...@tiho-hannover.de

http://www.tiho-hannover.de/en/clinics-institutes/institutes/institute-for-terrestrial-and-aquatic-wildlife-research-itaw/ 

 


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[MARMAM] SEICHE TRAINING PAM/MMO AND PSO TRAINING

[Sherry Baruwa]

Hi Everyone,

Seiche training is pleased to offer its virtual MMO, PSO and PAM courses.

JNCC Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) Training Course (GBP 250 +VAT per person)- 
ONLINE

DATE – 17th and 18th May 2021

Passive Acoustic Monitoring and PAMGUARD Software Training Course (GBP 375 per 
person) – ONLINE

Date – 19th, 20th and 21st May 2021

All courses are now delivered virtually.

Our Virtual Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) course is accredited by the Joint 
Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and run over two days to provide 
comprehensive coverage of the MMO role. A mixture of theory and practical 
virtual boat sessions are delivered by experienced trainers. Insight into life 
offshore and the practicalities of the MMO role ensure a very thorough 
preparation for prospective MMOs. However, those from an industry background 
(working alongside MMOs) will benefit from the full exploration of the 
complexities of mitigation requirements. A scientific background will be an 
advantage to delegates and a keen interest in marine mammals is key.

Our well established Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) course is a three-day 
course that provides comprehensive PAM training for personnel new to the 
offshore industry. This course provides the skills needed to use all equipment 
currently in the marketplace and is aimed at delegates with a scientific 
background, preferably in biology and marine sciences.

The course includes modules on sound in water, marine mammal evolutionary 
biology and sound production, anthropogenic noise sources and their effect on 
marine mammals, PAM principles and the role of the PAM operator, Seiche PAM 
hardware with deployment and operations, PAM software and an introduction to 
PAMGuard.


To register on any of our courses, please send an email to 
train...@seiche.com



Kind regards,

Sherry Baruwa,
Seiche Training Limited
https://www.seiche.com/training/




[Seiche Ltd]
Sherry Baruwa​
Business Administrator
Seiche Ltd
Bradworthy Industrial Estate, Langdon Road, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 
7SF, United Kingdom 

T:
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Sherry Baruwa
Training Administrator
Seiche Ltd
T:
 +44(0)1409 404050
E: s.bar...@seiche.com
W: https://www.seiche.com

Bradworthy Industrial Estate, Langdon Road, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 
7SF, United Kingdom
​Registered in England & Wales No. 03475558, Registered Office: C/O Seiche 
Group, Bradworthy Industrial Estate, Langdon Road, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, 
Devon, EX22 7SF, United Kingdom

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received this message in error, please notify sender immediately and delete 
this e-mail and attached documents.

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