Arctic | Mammals
Necrotizing fasciitis in a stranded beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas ), North Slope, Alaska Presenter: Raphaela Stimmelmayr , rafstimmel@gmail.com, North Slope Borough Rita Acker , rita.acker@north-slope.org, North Slope Borough, Department of Wildlife Management David Rotstein , drot@gmail.com, Marine Mammal Pathology services Necrotizing fasciitis, mostly described in humans, is a severe bacterial infection (various types) involving the superficial fascia and subcutaneous tissues. It is associated with early toxin-mediated, systemic toxicity, and high mortality if not treated readily. A fatal case has been previously described in a captive common dolphin. A stranded male immature beluga (carcass code II/III; total body length 250 cm; gray coloration) with signs of killer whale predation (fluke; flippers) and post-mortem scavenging (polar bear) near Utqiagvik underwent necropsy in the field. Gross findings were characterized by locally extensive severe necrotizing fasciitis of the skeletal muscles of the right shoulder extending to the sternum. Signs of necrosis were characterized by thick gray tissue fluid, gray discoloration of fascia and underlying muscle tissue, and disintegration of fascia upon blunt dissection. The necrotic area was well demarcated from adjacent unaffected muscle tissue that had normal red coloration but localized edema and hemorrhage were present. Lesion tissues (muscle; fascia,) and visceral organs (kidney; heart lung) were collected for histopathology and microbial characterization (pending results). Beluga whales are an important subsistence species for many coastal communities. This study adds to the general knowledge of morbidity and mortality in free-ranging belugas,and demonstrates the importance of conducting necropsy exams of stranded marine mammals as well as attests to the importance of maintaining regional stranding networks in Alaska.
Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2023 277
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