Morbillivirus antibodies of maternal origin in harbour seal pups. (Phoca vitulina)
Harder, T.C.; Stede, M.; Willhaus, T.; Schwarz, J.; Heidemann, G.; Liess, B.
Veterinary Record 132(25): 632-633
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 8351782 Document Number: 409853
During the 1989 to 1991 pupping seasons of harbour seals, blood samples were collected from 57 orphaned newborn seal pups that originated from the German Wadden sea. No viruses were isolated from the samples but phocine distemper virus (PDV)-neutralising antibodies were detected in samples from 36 of the pups. A titre of >= 1/5 (50% endpoint titration) was considered positive. Antibodies neutralising the Rockborn strain of canine distemper virus were also present in 7 of the samples from PDV-antibody positive pups. Since no clinical disease was seen in the pups and titres declined and became seronegative in all those that were examined sequentially, the antibodies were considered to be of maternal origin. Seal pups challenged with a PDV isolate after they had lost maternal PDV-antibodies developed the clinical picture seen in earlier outbreaks. The presence of maternal PDV-neutralising antibodies should be considered when planning vaccination against morbillivirus disease.