Dep Bildt, M.W.G. van http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/57437/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png RePub, Erasmus University Rotterdam http://repub.eur.nl Escherichia coli septicemia associated with lack of maternally acquired immunity in a bottlenose dolphin calf (Article) http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/36154/ 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z Stillbirth and neonatal mortality are substantial problems in captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The cause of these problems often is unknown. We report a case of Escherichia coli septicemia in a male 3-day-old bottlenose dolphin calf. Lesions included omphalitis, synovitis, and hepatic necrosis associated with the presence of Gram-negative bacilli. E. coli was isolated in pure culture from multiple organs. A serum gammaglobulin level of 1.5 g/L indicated a lack of maternally acquired immunity. The observed failure to nurse may have resulted from brain injury due to perinatal asphyxia. Evidence for perinatal asphyxia was the diffuse presence of a moderate amount of meconium in the lungs.