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Whales in San Francisco Bay

Roughly 30 gray whales have been spotted in the Bay this season, many more than is typical. Sadly, there have also been at least 14 deaths this year, which is more than in all of 2024. 

We are investigating to help determine the cause of these deaths. By gaining insights into what is causing these tragedies, we can better understand how to help prevent them.

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California sea lion

Development and Validation of a Quantitative PCR for Detection of California Sea Lion Adenovirus 1

Development and validation of a quantitative PCR for rapid and specific detection of California sea lion adenovirus 1 and prevalence in wild and managed populations
  • Infectious disease
  • Diagnostics

Abstract

California sea lion adenovirus 1 (CSLAdV-1) has been associated with hepatitis and enteritis in several wild and captive populations of diverse pinniped species. Currently available tests have been limited to pan-adenoviral polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing. We present the development of a quantitative probe-hybridization PCR (qPCR) assay for rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of this virus in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and other pinnipeds. This assay did not amplify other mammalian adenoviruses and is able to detect consistently down to 10 viral copies per well. Compared with the gold standard conventional pan-adenovirus PCR/sequencing assay, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 88.2% were found, respectively. The lower diagnostic specificity of this qPCR assay may be the result of the lower limit of detection of this assay compared with the gold standard rather than the result of detection of true false-positives.


Cortes-Hinojosa, G., Gulland, F.M.D., Goldstein, T., Venn-Watson, S., Rivera, R., Archer, L.L., Waltzek, T.B., Gray, G.C., Wellehan Jr., J.F.X. 2017. Development and validation of a quantitative PCR for rapid and specific detection of California sea lion adenovirus 1 and prevalence in wild and managed populations. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 29(2): 193-197

infectious disease
diagnostics

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