Tuberculosis in a New Zealand (Hooker's) sea lion |
| |
| Authors: | WD Roe PJ Duignan L Meynier GW de Lisle DV Cousins |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre, IVABS , New Zealand E-mail: wd.roe@masseyac.nz;2. AgResearch, Wallaceville Animal Research Centre , Upper Hutt, New Zealand;3. Department of Agriculture , Australian Reference Laboratory for Bovine Tuberculosis , South Perth, 6165, Western Australia |
| |
| Abstract: | Extract Tuberculosis has been described in seven species of pinnipeds. Based on host preference, phenotype and genetic and antigenic testing, the causal bacterium has been classified as a distinct species, Mycobacterium pinnipedii, within the M. tuberculosis complex. An adult male New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) was found dead on the Otago coastline in mid 2005. Gross necropsy revealed multiple caseous foci throughout the lungs, subcutaneous and thoracic lymph nodes, and mesenteric lymph nodes. Histopathological examination showed granulomatous lesions containing numerous intra-lesional acid fast organisms. The organism was confirmed as being a member of the M. tuberculosis complex, based on restriction enzyme analysis. Spoligotyping is pending. This is the first confirmed case of mycobacterial disease in a New Zealand sea lion. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
