title: Diagnosis and treatment of Sarcocystis neurona-induced myositis in a free-ranging California sea lion.
abstract: METHODS
  An underweight, lethargic adult female California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) became stranded along the California shore and was captured and transported to a rehabilitation hospital for assessment and care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Initial physical assessment revealed the sea lion was lethargic and in poor body condition. Active myositis was diagnosed on the basis of concurrent elevations in activities of alanine aminotransferase and creatine kinase detected during serum biochemical analysis. Infection with Sarcocystis neurona was diagnosed after serologic titers increased 4-fold over a 3-week period. Diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of histopathologic findings, positive results on immunohistochemical staining, and results of quantitative PCR assay on biopsy specimens obtained from the diaphragm and muscles of the dorsal cervical region.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anticoccidial treatment was instituted with ponazuril (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) and continued for 28 days. Prednisone (0.2 mg/kg [0.09 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) was administered for 2 days and then every 24 hours for 5 days to treat associated inflammation. At the end of treatment, the sea lion was clinically normal, alanine aminotransferase and creatine kinase values were within reference limits, and antibody titers against S neurona had decreased 6-fold. The sea lion was released approximately 3 months after becoming stranded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  S neurona-induced myositis was diagnosed in a free-ranging California sea lion. On the basis of the successful treatment and release of this sea lion, anticoccidial treatment should be considered for marine mammals in which protozoal disease is diagnosed.
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA. dpbremer@gmail.com
authors.forename: Daphne P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Carlson-Bremer
authors.forename: Frances M D
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Gulland
authors.forename: Christine K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Colegrove
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Van Bonn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003049:Coccidiostats / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D009220:Myositis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012522:Sarcocystis; D012523:Sarcocystosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D046070:Sea Lions / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D003049:Coccidiostats