# First isolation of Prototheca bovis from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiopstruncatus)

## TL;DR

Prototheca bovis was first isolated from a bottlenose dolphin with digestive issues, marking a new occurrence in dolphin health.

## Contribution

This study reports the first isolation of Prototheca bovis from a dolphin, expanding knowledge on this organism's host range.

## Key findings

- Prototheca bovis was isolated from a bottlenose dolphin with digestive tract abnormalities.
- The dolphin showed candida-like yeasts and mucosal thickening with ulcers in the forestomach.
- This is the first documented case of Prototheca sp. in a marine mammal.

## Abstract

To our knowledge, this is the first report of Prototheca sp. isolated from the digestive tract of a dolphin. A captive-born female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) weighing 165 kg that was housed at Enoshima Aquarium presented with a slightly elevated body temperature and candida-like yeasts in stomach fluid and feces. Gastroscopy revealed cobblestone-like thickening of the mucosa with a few ulcers in the forestomach. Prototheca bovis was isolated from the biopsy specimen of the lesion.