SARCOCYSTIS NEURONA-ASSOCIATED MENINGOENCEPHALITIS IN A PACIFIC WALRUS ( ODOBENDUS ROSMARUS DIVERGENS)

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Lana KrolKathleen M Colegrove

Abstract

A 21-yr-old intact male walrus ( Odobendus rosmarus divergens) presented with acute onset of shifting lameness, initially associated with breeding behaviors. Further clinical signs manifested, including muscle tremors, anorexia, hematuria, and coughing. Diagnostics were limited, as the animal would not offer behaviors for voluntary sample collection. Signs were addressed with anti-inflammatories, anticonvulsants, and antibiotics. The walrus developed cluster seizures and ultimately, respiratory and cardiac arrest. Postmortem lesions included meningoencephalitis with intra- and extracellular protozoal zoites and schizonts, as well as interstitial pneumonia with intraendothelial protozoa. Immunolabeling of the protozoal organisms revealed Sarcocystis neurona. Previous S. neurona infections in an odobenid have not been reported. Protozoal infection should be considered in all species of captive marine mammals with nonspecific orthopedic, neurological, and respiratory clinical signs.

References

Jul 11, 2002·Parasitology Research·A E MarshJ Lakritz
Jun 7, 2003·Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·W K SuedmeyerA E Marsh
Jul 19, 2008·Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·Natalie D MylniczenkoAnn C Melli
Feb 28, 2009·The Journal of Parasitology·J P DubeyD Martineau

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Citations

Jul 9, 2021·Royal Society Open Science·Ole Næsbye Larsen, Colleen Reichmuth

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCR
blood draw

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