Pathological Studies and Postmortem Computed Tomography of Dolphins with Meningoencephalomyelitis and Osteoarthritis Caused by Brucella ceti

Cetacean neurobrucellosis is a common cause of strandings in Costa Rica diagnosed by serology, bacteriology, and histopathology. Pathological studies were performed on 18 dolphins. Twelve scanned postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) as complementary tool for describing osteoarticular alterations associated with Brucella ceti infections. The central nervous system (CNS) the skeleton five dolphins not infected B did reveal PMCT scanning. Seven Brucella-infected showed at least bilateral ventriculomegaly hydrocephalus accumulation CSF lateral ventricles. We semiquantitative grading inflammatory process different areas CNS evaluated thickness cellular infiltrate meninges perivascular cuffs. results severity graphed to provide an injury profile each area CNS. Age decisive factor regarding presentation. does directly correlate index determined histopathological parameters brain cortex other regions, suggesting that these processes, although linked, are multifactorial need further characterization validation establish better cutoffs PMCT.