Postmortem investigations on winter stranded sperm whales from the coasts of Belgium and the Netherlands

During winter 1994-95, four and three sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were stranded along the Belgian and the Dutch coasts, respectively. Necropsies and tissue samplings were collected 24 hrs post mortem. Lesions on several whales included round and linear skin scars, ventral skin abrasions, acute skin ulcers, acute ulcerative stomatitides, acute to chronic external otitides, and passive visceral congestion. In addition, these sperm whales appeared to be debilitated with severe weight deficit, had blubber thickness reduction, the absence of abdominal fat, and the intestinal tracts were almost empty. Three categories of lesions and their possible relation with the stranding were evaluated. Cutaneous scars observed on the seven whales appeared to have no relation with the stranding. The poor body condition and acute integument ulcerative lesions were present before the stranding. Ventral skin abrasions and visceral passive congestion were caused by the strandings. Absence of food in the alimentary tracts, evidence of weight loss and blubber thickness reduction were compatible with an extended presence of the sperm whales in the North Sea, where adequate food is not available. This might lead to progressive weakness, predisposing the animals to secondary pathogens such as viral diseases. Finally, the coastal configuration of the southern North Sea makes it a trap for sperm whales which have entered the area during their wanderings

Pathological investigations on sperm whales stranded on the Belgian and Dutch coasts

On November 18, 1994, four sperm whales were discovered dead on the Belgian coast, and on January 12, 1995, three live sperm whales stranded on the Dutch coast. Necropsies were conducted following a standardized procedure and samples were collected. Two Belgian sperm whales had a severe weight deficit and the Dutch sperm whales had reductions in blubber thickness. Agonal lesions such as visceral passive congestion and lung edema were due to the stranding. Significant lesions included acute ulcerations of the skin and acute to subacute ulcerative stomatitis. Severe diffuse subacute to chronic ulcerative external otitis was noted in four animals. Progressive weakness and/or potential alterations of echolocation might have predisposed these sperm whales to visit shallow waters - strong social cohesion and complex topography along the Dutch and Belgian coasts being the final factors leading to the stranding

Pathological investigations on sperm whales stranded on Belgian and Dutch coasts

peer reviewe

Lesions observed on sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) stranded along the Belgian and Dutch coasts during 94-95 winter

peer reviewe

Postmortem Investigations on Winter Stranded Sperm Whales from the Coasts of Belgium and the Netherlands

During winter 1994-95, four and three sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were stranded along the Belgian and the Dutch coasts, respectively. Necropsies and tissue samplings were collected 24 hrs post mortem. Lesions on several whales included round and linear skin scars, ventral skin abrasions, acute skin ulcers, acute ulcerative stomatitides, acute to chronic external otitides, and passive visceral congestion. In addition, these sperm whales appeared to be debilitated with severe weight deficit, had blubber thickness reduction, the absence of abdominal fat, and the intestinal tracts were almost empty. Three categories of lesions and their possible relation with the stranding were evaluated. Cutaneous scars observed on the seven whales appeared to have no relation with the stranding. The poor body condition and acute integument ulcerative lesions were present before the stranding. Ventral skin abrasions and visceral passive congestion were caused by the strandings. Absence of food in the alimentary tracts, evidence of weight loss and blubber thickness reduction were compatible with an extended presence of the sperm whales in the North Sea, where adequate food is not available. This might lead to progressive weakness, predisposing the animals to secondary pathogens such as viral diseases. Finally, the coastal configuration of the southern North Sea makes it a trap for sperm whales which have entered the area during their wanderings

The Current Status of Organ Transplantation: The Role of Xenotransplantation?

peer reviewedIn the last few years, transplantation was an area of intense research activity. However, there is a worldwide shortage of donor organs for clinical transplantations. Currently, interest in xenotransplantation research is growing not only because of the increased demand for organs but also because of advances in molecular biology techniques that make possible the genetic or immunological manipulations of the animal donor rather than the human recipient. The better definitions of the mechanisms responsible for xenograft rejection should facilitate appropriate therapeutic strategies for long xenograft survival

Plasma perfusion by apheresis through a Gal immunoaffinity column successfully depletes anti-Gal antibody: experience with 320 aphereses in baboons

Anti-Galalpha1-3Gal (Gal) antibodies (Gal Ab) contribute to the rejection of porcine organs transplanted into primates. Extracorporeal immunoadsorption (EIA) has been developed to eliminate Gal Ab from the circulation