Isolation and characterization of Sarcocystis from brain tissue of a free-living southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) with fatal meningoencephalitis

A protozoan was isolated in cell culture from the brain of a free-ranging sea otter with fatal meningoencephalitis. The biological history of this otter, a study animal being monitored via an intraperitoneal radio transmitter, is summarized. Histologically, protozoal parasites were associated with a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Parasitology research (1987) 2001-03, Vol.87 (3), p.252-257
Main Authors: MILLER, Melissa A, CROSBIE, Paul R, SVERLOW, Karen, HANNI, Krista, BARR, Bradd C, KOCK, Nancy, MURRAY, Michael J, LOWENSTINE, Linda J, CONRAD, Patricia A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Animals, Wild
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
Brain - parasitology
DNA, Protozoan - analysis
Fatal Outcome
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect - veterinary
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Male
Mammalia
Meningoencephalitis - parasitology
Molecular Sequence Data
Otters - parasitology
Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary
Sarcocystis - classification
Sarcocystis - genetics
Sarcocystis - growth & development
Sarcocystis - isolation & purification
Sarcocystosis - veterinary
Vertebrata
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Summary:A protozoan was isolated in cell culture from the brain of a free-ranging sea otter with fatal meningoencephalitis. The biological history of this otter, a study animal being monitored via an intraperitoneal radio transmitter, is summarized. Histologically, protozoal parasites were associated with areas of brain inflammation and necrosis in the cerebrum and cerebellum. Morphology and measurements of fixed, Giemsa-stained protozoal zoites growing on coverslips were consistent with Sarcocystis. These parasites reacted only with polyclonal antisera raised against S. neurona on immunohistochemistry. Cell culture-derived zoites reacted strongly with polyclonal antiserum to S. neurona on indirect fluorescent antibody tests. Amplification of portions of the 18S ribosomal DNA and the adjacent first internal transcribed spacer were performed. The resulting sequences were compared with published sequences from similar apicomplexan protozoa. This isolate (SO SN1), was indistinguishable from S. neurona, based on parasite morphology, antigenic reactivity and molecular characterization.
ISSN:0932-0113
1432-1955
DOI:10.1007/s004360000340