First report of a severe nasopulmonary acariasis caused by Orthohalarachne diminuata Doetschman, 1944 (Acari: Halarachnidae) in a captive South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens Shaw, 1800).

ABSTRACT: Obligatory endoparasitic mites of the genera Halarachne Allman, 1847 and Orthohalarachne Newell, 1947 (Acari: Halarachnidae) parasitize different segments of the respiratory tract of marine mammals, including pinnipeds and sea otters, and infestations can cause asymptomatic to serious respiratory diseases. However, knowledge on biology, pathogenic potential and occurrence of halarachnid mites infesting pinnipeds, especially in captivity, is scarce. A two-year-old South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens Shaw, 1800) male, born and held at the Vienna Zoo, was anesthesized for routine pre-transport examinations, including computed tomography, bronchoalveolar lavage, and blood sampling. During the final phase of general anesthesia, the individual abruptly became apneic a

SUBMITTER: Ebmer D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9664340 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature