Abstract

Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin infection has been identified in the routine fecal and gastric cultures from a group of dolphins kept in Atlantis the Palm, Dubai. In 2009, two acute necrotizing enteritis cases associated with this bacterial infection occurred in one year old dolphins which became a major concern for the collection. Acute onset, anorexia, fast swimming and a high respiration rate were the main clinical signs. X-ray and ultrasound demonstrated an ileus with excessive intestinal gas production. Establishing a normal gastrointestinal flora population has been successfully documented in the remaining collection by the use of oral Lactobacillus acidophilus. To evaluate exposure and immune protection of the collection, a retrospective serological study (n = 74) from 2007–2010 was performed. We found protective naturally acquired antibodies to Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin in 36% of the collection and fluctuations of antibodies of Clostridium perfringens A over a period of 3 years in 20% of the animals. Detection of C. perfringens A bacteria in fecal samples and early diagnosis of Clostridium enterotoxemia is of major importance in controlling disease outbreaks. The use of C. perfringens alpha hyperimmune serum developed in dromedaries due to their exceptional antibodies is now considered as last resource in case of acute disease in this species. Hyperimmune serum for dolphins could be a future treatment regimen - and the use of serological screening to identify risk populations is considered valuable.