title: Cryptococcus gattii Type VGIIa Infection in Harbor Seals ( Phoca vitulina ) in British Columbia, Canada.
abstract: Cryptococcosis has been reported in marine mammals in the northeastern Pacific with increasing frequency in the last 15 yr. Although a variety of cetaceans have been diagnosed with cryptococcosis, Cryptococcus gattii has not been reported in pinnipeds. We document C. gattii VGIIa in a harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina ) pup and in an unrelated adult. Both animals were presented to Vancouver Aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Centre (VAMMRC) with generalized weakness, dehydration, respiratory compromise, minimally responsive mentation, and suboptimal body condition. Necropsy and histopathology findings were consistent in both animals and featured generalized lymphadenopathy, bronchopneumonia, and meningoencephalitis with intralesional yeast and fungemia. Cryptococcal serum antigen titers were ≥1,024 in both animals. Fungal culture of lung and lymph nodes confirmed C. gattii . Exposure was likely via inhalation prior to presentation to VAMMRC, and C. gattii infection was the proximate cause of death. This report expands the range of susceptible host species as C. gattii continues to emerge as a pathogen of concern in marine mammals in the northeastern Pacific.
authors.affiliation: 1 Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Center, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, British Columbia V6G 3E2, Canada;
authors.forename: Justin F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.affiliation: 1 Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Center, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, British Columbia V6G 3E2, Canada;
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haulena
authors.affiliation: 2 British Columbia Center for Disease Control Public Health Lab, 655 W 12th Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4R4 Canada;|3 Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada;
authors.forename: Linda M N
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hoang
authors.affiliation: 2 British Columbia Center for Disease Control Public Health Lab, 655 W 12th Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4R4 Canada;|3 Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5, Canada;
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morshed
authors.affiliation: 4 Animal Health Centre, BC Ministry of Agriculture, 1767 Angus Campbell Road, Abbotsford British Columbia V3G 2M3, Canada;
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zabek
authors.affiliation: 4 Animal Health Centre, BC Ministry of Agriculture, 1767 Angus Campbell Road, Abbotsford British Columbia V3G 2M3, Canada;
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Raverty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001996:Bronchopneumonia / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D056285:Cryptococcus gattii / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D046049:Phoca
keywords: Cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus gattii; Phoca vitulina; harbor seal; pinniped; systemic mycosis