A Study of Bacterial Flora Associated with the Spiracle of Captive Dolphins
IAAAM Archive
Emmett B. Shotts, Jr.1; F. Deborah Talkington1; Wayne Jones2
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA; 2Lincolnton Animal Hospital Lincolnton, NC

Abstract

A study was made of the microflora associated with the spiracles of a group of twenty captive dolphins. The results of this investigation indicate that a number of both Gram-positive and -negative organisms may be found at this anatomical site. Coagulase positive Staphylococci (60%) was the most common organism isolated. Other organisms included alpha streptococci (2.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5%), Pseudomonas putrifaciens (5%), Corynebacteria (2.5%) and Candida spp. (47%). These flora will be discussed as they relate to comparable flora from similar sites in domestic animals.

Notes

Spiracle Flora

Gram Positive

% of Animals

-- Micrococcus

20% of the group had this

-- Staph aureus

55

-- Staph epidermidis

30

-- α hemolytic strep

40

-- Υ - hemolytic strep

40

 Gram Negative

-- Pseudomonas sp.(putida-like)

65% of the group had this

-- Pseudomonas putrefaciens

50

-- Pseudomonas aeruginosa

35

-- Flavobacterium sp.

30

-- Aeromonas hydrophila

30

-- Enterobacter sp.

25

-- Pleisomonas shigelloides

25

There were many gram negative rods

Candida sp.

90

-- Candida albicans only

50

-- Candida stellatoidea only

5

-- Candida krusei only

17

The cranial portion of the blowhole is a trap for bacteria. The mucosal membranes get seeded with bacteria and exhibit a bacterial flora. This is a rich nutrient area. The bacteria isolated from the blowhole likely have little import as disease-causing agents.

Speaker Information
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Emmett B. Shotts, Jr., PhD


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