PhD-thesis title: Brucella pinnipedialis in hooded seals (Cystophora cristata): infection biology and effect of PCB 153 exposure under experimental conditions. Author: Ingebjørg Helena Nymo (ingebjorg.nymo@nvh.no) Institution: The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Section for Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Tromsø, Norway ISSN: 1890-0364 ISBN: 978-82-7725-254-4 SUMMARY The overall aim of the thesis was to study the infection biology of B. pinnipedialis in hooded seals and its relationship to the possible immunosuppressive effect of PCB 153. Although the infection biology in vivo in the hooded seal is still unclear, the results suggest that B. pinnipedialis is not able to cause the pathology we associate with pathogenic Brucella spp. in other hosts, and it seems unlikely that B. pinnipedialis is affecting hooded seal health under natural conditions. This conclusion is in line with the general lack of Brucella-associated gross pathology when isolating B. pinnipedialis from any pinniped species, including hooded seals. Whether in utero exposure of hooded seals to PCBs, and PCB 153 in particular, is affecting hooded seals to a degree where the outcome of an infection with B. pinnipedialis is altered, is still unknown and warrants further investigation. If anyone is interested in a copy of the thesis they may contact Nymo at ingebjorg.nymo@nvh.no Ingebjørg Helena Nymo DVM PhD Post Doctoral Researcher Norwegian School of Veterinary Science Section of Arctic Veterinary Medicine Stakkevollveien 23b 9010 Tromsø Norway Tlf: +47 77 66 54 00/+47 77 66 54 13 Mob: +47 918 38 421 Skype: ingebjorg.helena.nymo http://scholar.google.no/citations?user=p6qrTTkAAAAJ&hl=no&oi=ao https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/312107208925825/ The new e-mail domain name for The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science is @nvh.no. The former domain address @veths.no will still be in use, but it will be discontinued within 1-2 years. Please update your e-mail records. This message verifies that the e-mail has been scanned for virus, and deemed virus-free according to our scanengines.