INTRODUCTION:

Alphaherpesviruses have been associated with fatal systemic infections in several cetartiodactyla species. The main goal in this paper is to identify microorganisms in wild bottlenose dolphin samples were taken from animals in Campeche, Mexico.

METHODS:

Eight free-living bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Terminos Lagoon, Mexico, were captured, sampled and released. The animals were sampled for their blood, blow hole secretion, vaginal or prepuce discharge and skin. From the exudates, the cytology was examined, and cell inoculation was performed using bovine kidney cells (MDBK), African green monkey kidney cells (VERO), canine kidney cells (MDCK) and porcine kidney cells (PK15).

RESULTS:

After observing the cytopathic effects, the isolates were replicated in the same cell line at least three times. Three isolates were obtained that had a cytolytic effect at 48 - 72 hr. A previously described nested PCR targeting highly conserved regions of the herpesvirus DNA polymerase was performed, as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunofluorescence on the infected MDBK cells.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

The animals from which the isolates were obtained were clinically healthy at the time of their capture, and it is likely that these animals act as carriers or reservoirs of the virus.