Vibrio . Pseudomonas , Klebsiella , Acinetobactera . Bacillus , 

 and Staphylococcus ; 



viral isolation studies done by the Veterinary Services 

 Laboratory and the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory of the 

 Eastern Virginia Medical School have detected herpes-like 

 particles and papova viruses in tissue cultures inoculated 

 with extracts from lesions and internal organs; 



viral assessment studies done by the National Cancer 

 Institute of the National Institutes of Health have shown 

 no evidence of Human Immuno-Def iciency Viruses (HIV) , which 

 causes Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in humans; 



gas chromatograph analysis of liver and other tissue 

 samples done by the National Veterinary Services Labora- 

 tory have revealed possible toxic levels of chlorinated 

 hydrocarbons in some but not all animals sampled; 



there is no evidence of any unusual die-offs of any other 

 species, suggesting that only bottlenose dolphins are 

 vulnerable to whatever is causing the die-off; 



although bacterial infections have been the ultimate 

 cause of death, it is questionable whether the animals 

 would have been vulnerable to such infections unless 

 they had been weakened by stress, disease, toxins, or 

 other factors which weaken the immune system; and 



further studies are required to determine whether one or 

 more viral agents, environmental pollutants, or natural 

 environmental fluctuations have been the primary cause 

 or a factor contributing to the continuing die-off. 



Following the program review, the Commission consulted with 

 the National Marine Fisheries Service and others to determine 

 what more might be done to expedite the investigation. These 

 discussions will be continued in early 1988 when the Commission, 

 the National Marine Fisheries Service, and other agencies will 

 meet to review progress, the direction of the investigation, 

 and ways in which to meet the continuing need for financial 

 support of the work. 



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