Study of red-sore disease in alligators. Final report, September 1, 1976-September 3, 1980. [Predisposing factors]
Necropsies of eight alligators which died following capture within a thermally-altered reservoir demonstrated the presence of the gram negative, pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila, in internal tissues. A study designed to demonstrate whether A. hydrophila were capable of causing infection and death of the ecologically threatened alligator and, if so, the mechanism of exposure and infection in natural habitats was undertaken. The pathology and response to infection were also studied. When juvenile alligators were exposed under experimental conditions to increasing concentrations of A. hydrophila in water, by oral inoculation, or by intramuscular injections at 20/sup 0/, 25/sup 0/, 30/sup 0/, and 35/sup 0/C, they developed external lesions. These lesions were likely to become severe and lead to death of the animal at 30 and 35/sup 0/C. Infected animals produced: (a) increased numbers of white blood cells; (b) increased specific antibody titer; and (c) alpha 2 peaks higher than albumen peaks (except at 35/sup 0/C). Biweekly intraperitoneal injections of live, washed A. hydrophila were apparently more effective in the prevention of infection and of external lesions than were the antibiotics Kanamycin and OTH-Puramycin. Topical applications of Neosporin ointment resulted in the healing of severe lesions on confined animals. Alligators which were shown to be exposed to A. hydrophila in their natural habitats showed no external evidence of infection by the bacteria. It is recommended that exposure to conditions of stress, including water temperatures greater than 30/sup 0/C, be kept to a minimum during the capture, transport, and captivity of alligators. (ERB)
- Research Organization:
- Wake Forest Univ., Winston-Salem, NC (USA). Dept. of Biology
- DOE Contract Number:
- AS09-76EV00965
- OSTI ID:
- 6818495
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EV/00965-3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Aeromonas hydrophila as an agent of infection in alligators. Phase I, final report. Progress report, September 1, 1976--September 30, 1977, Part I
Isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila from the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis
Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROMONAS
INFECTIVITY
ALLIGATORS
DISEASE RESISTANCE
ANTIBIOTICS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THERMAL POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
VACCINES
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
COASTAL REGIONS
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
INLAND WATERWAYS
MORTALITY
PATHOGENESIS
PATHOGENS
PONDS
SOUTH CAROLINA
ANIMALS
BACTERIA
DISEASES
DRUGS
MICROORGANISMS
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
REPTILES
SOUTHEAST REGION
USA
VERTEBRATES
550900* - Pathology
550700 - Microbiology
520400 - Environment
Aquatic- Thermal Effluents Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
560205 - Thermal Effects- Vertebrates- (-1987)