title: First report of systemic toxoplasmosis in a New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri).
abstract: METHODS
  A 1-year-old female New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) was intermittently observed in the Otago region of New Zealand over an 11-month period, always dragging her hind flippers. In December 2012 the sea lion was found dead, after a period of several days being observed to be harassed by male sea lions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At gross postmortem examination the sea lion was in moderate body condition with signs of recent bite wounds and bruising. The lungs were dark and poorly inflated. Histological findings included meningoencephalomyelitis, radiculomyelitis of the cauda equina, myocarditis and myositis. Toxoplasmosis gondii organisms were detected histologically and following immunohistochemistry in the brain, spinal cord, spinal nerves and pelvic muscles.
  Nested PCR analysis and sequencing confirmed the presence of T. gondii DNA in uterine and lung tissue. A variant type II T. gondii genotype was identified using multilocus PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systemic toxoplasmosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infection with T. gondii involving the spinal cord and nerves was the likely cause of the paresis observed in this sea lion before death. Ultimately, death was attributed to crushing and asphyxiation by a male sea lion, presumably predisposed by impaired mobility. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in a New Zealand sea lion highlights the possibility that this disease could play a role in morbidity and mortality in this endangered species, particularly in the recently established mainland populations that are close to feline sources of T. gondii oocysts.
authors: a Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442 , New Zealand.
authors: W D
authors: WD
authors: Roe
authors: a Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442 , New Zealand.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Michael
authors: b Department of Conservation , PO Box 5244, Moray Place, Dunedin 9058 , New Zealand.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Fyfe
authors: a Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442 , New Zealand.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Burrows
authors: a Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442 , New Zealand.
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Hunter
authors: a Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442 , New Zealand.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Howe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D046070:Sea Lions / Q000469:parasitology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000235:genetics; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology
keywords: New Zealand sea lion; Toxoplasmosis; histopathology; infectious disease; marine mammal; pinniped