Fatal Toxoplasma gondii COUG strain infections in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis): New insight on contributing factors and parasite serotyping.

ABSTRACT: Fatal infections with the rare COUG strain of the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii were recently detected for the first time in four southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) exhibiting severe protozoal steatitis. The objectives of this study were to describe new COUG strain infections in sea otters, investigate the potential contributory role of a recently discovered parasite-infecting narnavirus (Apocryptovirus odysseus) in these infections, assess the potential contribution of vitamin E deficiency in the development of systemic steatitis, and explore the utility of serotyping for strain-specific diagnosis of T. gondii infections in sea otters. Since initial reporting, six additional sea otters died due to fatal COUG strain T. gondii infections. Five animals exhibited lesion pattern

SUBMITTER: Sinnott DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12422482 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature