Cetacean morbillivirus tissue distribution using RT-PCR in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruloalba) and long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) stranded during the CeMV outbreak of 2006-2007

Abstract

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) is considered the most pathogenic virus for cetaceans. Since CeMV was implicated in the bottlenose dolphin mass stranding along the Northwestern Atlantic during 1987-88, several epizootics in different odontocetes have been described worldwide. Main known target tissues for morbilliviral infections in dolphins concern nervous, respiratory and immunological systems. In the present study, a CeMV tissue distribution using RTPCR was made for the first time in two species of cetaceans: striped dolphins (Stenella coeruloalba) and long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas).