Tuberculosis in a wild subantarctic fur seal from Argentina

The first case of tuberculosis is described in a wild subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) found on the Argentine coast. There was hydroth orax and white firm granulomatous lesions of 40-50 mm in diameter in the lu ngs. Lesions consisted of a central area of caseous necrosis, an intermedia te zone of epithelioid and lymphocytic mononuclear cells, and a peripheral zone of connective tissue. Biochemical and drug sensitivity tests and inocu lation of Guinea pigs confirmed the identification as Mycobacterium tubercu losis complex. Arctocephalus tropicalis is the fifth pinniped species in wh ich the M. tuberculosis complex has been detected. Since subantarctic fur s eals are widely distributed in the Southern Hemisphere, it is possible that the tuberculosis cases may have a common origin and could spread to other austral regions and species.