Abstract

Mycoplasma phocacerebrale has been implicated in human infections known as "seal-finger". Human infections can be acquired by being bitten by infected seals or by handling live or dead infected seals. Bacterial swabs of the tooth-gum interface in the oral cavity of four species of pinnipeds (N=162) from eastern Canadian waters were collected and cultured for Mycoplasma spp. Three species of Mycoplasma and unidentified species of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma were detected. In juvenile or adult seals: 23 of 29 (79%) grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), 10 of 19 (53%) harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), 32 of 36 (89%) hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) and 8 of 27 (30%) harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) were infected with Mycoplasma phocacerebrale. Mycoplasma phocidae and M. phocarhinis were also detected in some seals. Seals held captive in salt water or fresh water aquaria were also infected. Young-of-the-year (Age=0) harbour (N = 5), harp (N =10) and hooded seals (N = 10) from a few days to six months old were negative. However, 9 of 12 (75%) young-of-the-year grey seals were infected with M. phocacerebrale (infected seals were 4-5 weeks old). Some recent "seal-finger" infections in biologists and successful treatment are described.