Another Case of Successfully Treated Hypersensitivity to Candida albicans in an Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
IAAAM 1998
William Van Bonn1; Eric D. Jensen1; Sam H. Ridgway2
1Upstream Associates, San Diego, CA, USA; 2SPAWARSYSCEN SAN DIEGO, San Diego, CA, USA

Abstract

Hypersensitivity to Candida albicans was diagnosed in a juvenile female Atlantic bottlenose dolphin based on the presence of an oral and peri-blowhole exfoliative dermatopathy, behaviors suggesting nasal pruritus, a positive basophil degranulation assay, and response to oral hyposensitization with C. albicans extract. A human modified RAST IgE assay was negative. Behaviors suggesting pruritus were scored three times weekly and tracked over time. The frequency of these behaviors was inversely related to oral extract dose and was reduced to zero when maintenance extract dose was achieved. The observed dermatopathy also resolved during the hyposensitization protocol. Extract for hyposensitization was administered by injecting into fish fed rather than sublingually.

This case and the previously reported case from Belgium1,2 raise interesting questions regarding the incidence of hypersensitivity in marine mammals and suggest the presence of IgE immunoglobulins in Tursiops.

References

1.  Lacave G, C Prost. 1995. Candida desensitization attempt in a Tursiops truncatus. IAAAM Proceedings, P. 94.

2.  Lacave G, C Prost. 1996. Results of a one year Candida desensitization treatment in a Tursiops truncatus. IAAAM Proceedings, P. 44.

Speaker Information
(click the speaker's name to view other papers and abstracts submitted by this speaker)

William G. Van Bonn, DVM
Upstream Associates
San Diego, CA, USA


MAIN : Session II : Hypersensitivity to Candida
Powered By VIN
SAID=27