Identification of Novel Helicobacter spp. from a Beluga Whale

ABSTRACT The gastric fluid and feces of three belugas from the Mystic Aquarium were assessed for the presence of Helicobacter spp. Gastric fluid and feces from the two clinically healthy belugas were negative for helicobacter, and endoscopy performed on these animals revealed no lesions. However, a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Main Authors: Harper, Claudia M. G., Xu, Shilu, Feng, Yan, Dunn, J. Lawrence, Taylor, Nancy S., Dewhirst, Floyd E., Fox, James G.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: American Society for Microbiology 2002
Subjects:
Ecology
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Food Science
Biotechnology
Beluga
Beluga whale
Beluga*
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aem.68.4.2040-2043.2002
https://journals.asm.org/doi/pdf/10.1128/AEM.68.4.2040-2043.2002
Description
Summary:ABSTRACT The gastric fluid and feces of three belugas from the Mystic Aquarium were assessed for the presence of Helicobacter spp. Gastric fluid and feces from the two clinically healthy belugas were negative for helicobacter, and endoscopy performed on these animals revealed no lesions. However, a helicobacter isolate and PCR product similar to helicobacter strains previously recovered from dolphins were identified, respectively, from the feces and gastric fluid of a beluga manifesting intermittent inappetence and lethargy. Esophageal and forestomach ulcers were noted on endoscopy. This is the first report of novel Helicobacter spp. being identified from whales.

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