Streptococcus phocae Isolated from a Spotted Seal (Phoca largha) with Pyometra in Alaska

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 mucos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
Main Authors: Karsten Hueffer, Camilla L. Lieske, Lisa M. McGilvary, Rebekah F. Hare, Debra L. Miller, Todd M. O'Hara
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: American Association of Zoo Veterinarians 2011
Subjects:
Arctic
Alaska
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1638/2010-0064.1
Description
Summary: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.

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