Brucella ceti infection in harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena).

We describe Brucella sp. infection and associated lesions in a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) found on the coast of Belgium. The infection was diagnosed by immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy, and bacteriology, and the organism was identified as B. ceti. The infection's location in the porpoise raises questions of abortion and zoonotic risks.

A strategy to identify specific biomarkers related to the effects of a PCDD/F mixture on the immune system of marine mammals.

The cell lines chosen have demonstrated a positive response in terms of cell proliferation and associated modifications in proteins content, evaluated through DNA and proteins synthesis, at environmentally relevant dose of dioxins, brought by a typical environmental PCDD/F mixture. The response is time and species dependent. After completion of the identification of proteins affected by the intoxication, we will identify a set of specific proteins whose expression is correlated to the dioxin dose and submit the cell culture to the treatment with a single chemical as well as with mixtures. We hope that this will allow us to construct and validate a set of protein biomarkers of exposure to pollutants that will show a predictive aspect for unknown chemicals. The quantitative analysis of the set of biomarkers can then be a more specific bioassay and an alternative to physico-chemical or other already established bioanalytical methods for screening purposes.