Abstract

The first instance of anti-Brucella antibodies in the Southern Hemisphere was recorded in two pinniped species from Antarctica: Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) and Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii). Taking into account these first records, this paper describes additional data on Brucella antibodies in A. gazella obtained at Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, Antarctica. Eighty-six A. gazella body fluid samples were collected from 77 live animals and nine from dead animals. Body fluid samples (blood, pleural fluid or pericardic fluid) were tested using the Rose Bengal (RB) test, the Competitive Enzymoimmunoassay (c-ELISA) test and the Competitive Enzymoimmunoassay 'COMPELISA®' test. Antibodies against Brucella spp. were detected in one sample with the RB test, and in five of the 86 samples (5.8%) using the c-ELISA test. These results present serological evidence of Brucella infection in A. gazella. We suggest the utility of extra-vascular fluid for this serological research. We recognise the c-ELISA test as the best option in this regard, and suggest that Brucella spp. has an extended distribution and is probably found worldwide in marine mammals. We highlight the importance of evaluating in the CCAMLR Working Group on Ecosystem Monitoring and Management (WG-EMM) the incidence of infectious diseases, since diseases like brucellosis may produce reproductive failure in predatory species. However, it is not possible to relate evidence of Brucella infection to any anthropogenic event in Antarctica since the bacteria have not yet been isolated and no studies on this subject have been conducted there previously.