Assessing Immune Response to Parasitic Lungworm in Northern Elephant Seals

Abstract

Understanding how species once at the threat of extinction are affected in the long term can illuminate current and future conservation concerns. Northern elephant seals (NES) have a unique reaction to the parasitic lungworm O. circumlitis. Previously subjected to an intense bottleneck, NES have incredibly low heterogeneity at immune-influencing loci, yet have surprisingly strong immune systems. However, NES have a negative and often deadly reaction to O. circumlitis. There is a lack of detection methods for otostrongyliasis, and antibody response to the parasite is not well understood. 99 NES serum samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) using O. circumlitis homogenate. In conjunction with clinical data (blood work, necropsy, treatment, and patient observations) from The Marine Mammal Center, ELISA results were analyzed to better understand NES immune responses. This study found a difference in antibody reaction among different clinical groups. I also conclude that seals exposed to O. circumlitis can be asymptomatic.