Streptococcus phocae isolated from a spotted seal (Phoca largha) with pyometra in Alaska. Academic Article

abstract

• A spotted seal harvested by subsistence hunters in Kotzebue Sound, Alaska (USA), showed a grossly enlarged uterus and associated lymph nodes. Streptococcus phocae was isolated from the purulent uterine discharge. Histopathologic examination revealed inflammation that was limited to the uterine mucosa. Lymph nodes draining the affected organ were reactive but no evidence of active infection was found in the lymph nodes. This report is the first Streptococcus phocae isolated from spotted seals as well as the first report of pyometra as the main pathologic finding associated with this pathogen. Isolation of this pathogen from Alaska expands the reported range to arctic pinnipeds. Zoonotic potential remains unknown.

authors

• O'hara, Todd

published proceedings

• J Zoo Wildl Med

author list (cited authors)

• Hueffer, K., Lieske, C. L., McGilvary, L. M., Hare, R. F., Miller, D. L., & O'Hara, T. M.

citation count

• 11

complete list of authors

• Hueffer, Karsten||Lieske, Camilla L||McGilvary, Lisa M||Hare, Rebekah F||Miller, Debra L||O'Hara, Todd M

publication date

• March 2011

publisher

• American Association of Zoo Veterinarians  Publisher

published in

• Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine  Journal

keywords

• Alaska
• Animals
• Female
• Phoca
• Phylogeny
• Pyometra
• Streptococcal Infections
• Streptococcus

PubMed Central ID

• 22946378

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1638/2010-0064.1

start page

• 108

end page

• 112

volume

• 42

issue

• 1

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1638/2010-0064.1