Standardizing gross descriptions of skin lesions in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in Southwest Florida, 2015–2019

Ewing, Ruth Y.; Sutton, Meghan N.; Herring, Hada M.; Schubert, Molly R.; Boyd, Denise M.; Richardson, Jill L.; Rotstein, David S.

doi:10.3389/fmars.2023.1269075

i

Standardizing gross descriptions of skin lesions in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in Southwest Florida, 2015–2019

2023
By Ewing, Ruth Y. ; Sutton, Meghan N. ; Herring, Hada M. ; ...

Details

Journal Title:

Frontiers in Marine Science
Personal Author:

Ewing, Ruth Y. ; Sutton, Meghan N. ; Herring, Hada M. ; Schubert, Molly R. ; Boyd, Denise M. ; Richardson, Jill L. ; Rotstein, David S.
NOAA Program & Office:

NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) ; SEFSC (Southeast Fisheries Science Center)
Description:

As the first line of defense, the integumentary system is critical in comprehensively evaluating dolphin morbidity during stranding response. Most published studies on skin lesions in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) lack standardized gross descriptions and methodologies for evaluating lesions. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an assessment matrix designed to consistently describe skin lesions based on a set of standardized gross description characteristics. The matrix was implemented by reviewing necropsy reports, histopathology reports, and photographs collected from bottlenose dolphins stranded in Southwest Florida from 2015 through 2019. Of the 32 dolphins that met the inclusion criteria, 19 presented with skin lesions and five reviewers described each of the 46 lesions according to a novel, standardized assessment matrix. The most common descriptor selected, in each of the respective matrix categories, were, by anatomic location, head; distribution, multifocal to coalescing; quantity, moderate (10–30); size, <2 cm; shape, punctate; margin, rounded; color modifier, hyperpigmentation; texture, smooth; and texture modifier, flat. These prevalent descriptors coincided with the frequent occurrence of histologically described hydropic degeneration (n=7, 15.2%) and were confirmed poxviral lesions in 6.52% (n=3). Identifying lesion patterns using standardized descriptors capitalizes on the unique pathogen tissue tropism and the implementation of certain disease mechanisms in the integumentary system. Therefore, it can facilitate differential disease diagnoses and guide ancillary diagnostics testing. The use of standardized descriptors will aid in etiologic identification and monitoring of skin lesions and associated diseases, advancing our understanding of dolphin morbidity and mortality.
Keywords:

Aquatic Science Global And Planetary Change Ocean Engineering Oceanography Water Science And Technology Global And Planetary Change Water Science And Technology Global And Planetary Change Water Science And Technology
Source:

Frontiers in Marine Science, 10
DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1269075
ISSN:

2296-7745
Format:

PDF
Publisher:

Frontiers Media SA
Document Type:

Journal Article
License:

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Rights Information:

CC BY
Compliance:

Submitted
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha256:3f74f7cb5d700ffbc1115123c56677323d8b83789e22f0d0cfe05457dd1835f1
Download URL:

https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/56225/noaa_56225_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 3.23 MB ]

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