Checking the health of wild dolphin populations is not an easy feat because of their size, migratory patterns, and in some species, their dwindling numbers. However, researchers found an easy, fast, and non-invasive way to give dolphins a quick health check that will also help scientists monitor the status of the oceans.
Researchers from the University of New South Wales sample the condensation that forms when the exhaled breath of dolphins, known as a blow, Phys.org reported. Research associate Catharina Vendi at the university, who developed the procedure, noted that it is non-invasive and comparably easy to do.
Lung Bacteria of Dolphins Create Symbiosis in Their Immune System
Bacteria in the dolphins' lungs could also make them sick, just like what it does to humans, and causes specific changes or symptoms depending on the type of bacteria causing the infection.
Human studies reveal that lung bacteria are helpers of the immune system in clearing infections. Meanwhile, respiratory diseases are one of the main causes of death among cetaceans, such as whales and dolphins, which is why keeping an eye on their health is important.
According to Phys.org, Vendi has proven that the procedure she developed works by testing the exhalation of captive dolphins from their blowhole. She would collect the blow of 13 dolphins once a month for eight months. Nine were perfectly healthy and carried a stable composition of bacteria, while the other four were ill when she was collecting samples.
She noted that the bacterial communities in the four sick dolphins shifted and showed a similar pattern found in humans when they were sick. That means the bacteria from a dolphin's exhaled breath is not just random collections that accidentally enter their airways. Rather, they can be stable and form a symbiosis in the immune system of their hosts.
She added that the test could be used to conduct quick health checks on wild dolphins that will help scientists keep an eye on them and the oceans
Diseases of Dolphins Similar to Humans
In 2010, a study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). It unveiled that diseases found in dolphins are similar to humans and can shed light on how exposure to contaminated coastal water and seafood could affect both the dolphins' and humans' health, Science Daily reported.
Carolyn Sotka of the NOAA Oceans and Human Health Initiative noted that dolphins and humans are both mammals and their diet includes the same seafood. However, dolphins are more exposed to potential ocean health threats because they live in the oceans.
Nonetheless, the ecological and physiological similarities make dolphins sentinel species that warn of health risks and provide insight into medical research for humans.
As the principal stewardship agency that is responsible for the protection of dolphins and supports both national and international projects that aim to improve ocean health, NOAA highlighted the case studies during the annual meeting that showed the importance of knowledge gained about the overall health of dolphins that leads to improved management to mitigate disease outbreak in humans and dolphins.
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