Franklin H. White

ISOLATION OF Edwardsiella tarda FROM AQUATIC ANIMAL SPECIES AND SURFACE WATERS IN FLORIDA

Edwardsiella tarda was isolated from lakes and streams in Northcentral Florida. This emerging enteric bacterial pathogen also was isolated from alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and brown pelicans (Pelecannus occidentalis carolinensis) on several occasions, and from other species including the ring-billed gull (Larus delewarensis), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), common loon (Gavia immer), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Hemorrhagic enteritis was found in association with E. tarda in some of the species presented.

AN EPIZOOTIC OF WATERFOWL ASSOCIATED WITH A RED TIDE EPISODE IN FLORIDA 1

During February and March, 1974, an epizootic involving lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) occurred in the Tampa Bay area on the west coast of Florida. Several thousand ducks are estimated to have died. Concurrent with this epizootic was a red tide caused by heavy blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium breve which caused severe wide-spread fish kills. Clinical signs consistent with G. breve intoxication were evident in some of the lesser scaup. A controlled experimental feeding of G. breve toxic material to White Pekin ducklings produced illness and death with signs comparable to some of those seen in the scaup.

Studies on equine recurrent uveitis. II: The role of infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona

An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was developed for the detection of immunoglobulin class specific antibodies to Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona in the serum and aqueous humor of horses. Serum antibody was also assayed by microscopic agglutination tests. Although higher levels of antibody were found in sera from horses with signs of uveitis, the association was not statistically significant. Antibodies to pomona were detected in the aqueous of 12 eyes from the 101 horses sampled at a slaughterhouse, and in most instances, a comparison of the aqueous/serum antibody level with that of the total aqueous/serum IgG level indicated intraocular antibody synthesis. Antibodies were also found in 4 aqueous (or vitreous) samples out of 9 obtained from horses with clinically documented uveitis and the above comparison again indicated intraocular antibody synthesis. The data point to an important role for pomona as an etiology of equine recurrent uveitis but also emphasize that the initiating cause for this disease is often obscure in that association with leptospirosis cannot be shown in many instances.

INTUSSUSCEPTION IN A FLORIDA MANATEE1

An intussusception resulting from an embedded fishhook and a mass of nylon cord, monofilament line, and wire was determined to be the cause of death in a Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Pathologic findings are given along with information on bacteria (Edwardsiella tarda), pesticide residues (DDE, PCBs, and dieldrin), and parasites (Chiorchis fabaceus).

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANT Salmonella spp. ISOLATED FROM DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS (Phalacrocorax auritus) AND COMMON LOONS (Gavia immer) IN FLORIDA1

Antimicrobial resistant Salmonella spp. were found in double-crested cormorants and common loons in Florida. Single or multiple drug resistance occurred in all Salmonella agona isolates from cormorants, primarily to ampicillin, sulfonamide, streptomycin, neomycin, and kanamycin. Similar patterns of resistance were found in S. agona isolates from common loons. In addition, isolates of S. saint paul from loons were found resistant to tetracycline and streptomycin, while 2 of 7 isolates of S. infantis were resistant to tetracycline only.

Salmonella in Reptiles: Isolation from Free-ranging Lizards (Reptilia, Lacertilia) In Florida

Ten isolations of salmonella representing six serotypes were obtained from intestinal cultures of 124 free-ranging Florida lizards. Seven of the isolants were from lizards captured in among campsites of a county park. The relationship of salmonella and reptiles is summarized.

AN EPIZOOTIC OF AVIAN BOTULISM IN A PHOSPHATE MINE SETTLING POND IN NORTHERN FLORIDA

Type C botulism was determined to be the cause of an epizootic among waterfowl and shorebirds in a phosphate mine settling pond in northern Florida during May and June of 1979. Several hundred birds, the most common of which were American coots (Fulica americana), wood ducks (Aix sponsa), common gallinules (Gallinula chloropus), and northern shovelers (Anas clypeata) were afflicted over about a three-week period. A second smaller outbreak occurred in the same pond in early December of 1979. This is apparently the first time that botulism has been reported in waterbirds of Florida.

Evidence for metal poisoning in acute deaths of large red drum (Sciaenops ocellata).

Two of the approximately 100 large, mature, red drum found dead or dying in Floridas Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon were examined. Determinations were made of serum electrolyte concentrations, total proteins, albumins, globulins, creatinine values, and enzyme activity. Concentrations of copper, zinc, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, mercury, lead, and selenium were determined by atomic aborption. The outstanding histological lesions were found in the gills of a moribund specimen. Results indicate that the acute episode was triggered by ingestion of copper, zinc, and arsenic. However, cadmium, mercury and chromium may have been contributory by binding with metallothionein and thus lowering tolerance to metal poisoning. (JMT)

Edwardsiella tarda Infections in Florida Raccoons, Procyon lotor

Edwardsiella tarda was isolated from the large intestine of seven (17%) of 42 racoons from Florida. The rate varied from 12% in South Florida to 25% in North Florida. In addition, 52% of the racoons examined were carrying Salmonella, with numerous serotypes represented.

Starvation-pesticide interactions in Juvenile Brown pelicans

SummaryNineteen 9-week-old brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalism), obtained from a colony in Vero Beach, Florida, containing environmentally acquired p,p′-DDE residues, were subjected to a food deprivation experiment. Samples of brain, liver, muscle, and fat taken after one and two week periods of starvation indicated that starved birds contained significantly greater residue levels in fat compared to non-starved controls. Such differences were not observed in residues in the other tissues. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the biology of brown pelicans.