Disseminated blastomycosis in two California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)

Two captive California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) from different fa cilities were diagnosed with disseminated blastomycosis. The first, a 12-yr -old male, died after a 3-wk history of progressive anorexia and lethargy. Gross examination revealed acute jejunitis with focal perforation and assoc iated peritonitis, along with severe purulent bronchopneumonia. The second, a 15-yr-old female, was euthanized after a 2-wk history of severe cutaneou s ulceration and declining clinical condition. Gross examination revealed s evere pyogranulomatous bronchopneumonia and ulcerative dermatitis. Histopat hologic examination in both individuals revealed severe multifocal subacute to chronic pyogranulomatous pneumonia associated with massive numbers of f ungal organisms morphologically compatible with Blastomyces sp. Fungal orga nisms were 8-20-mu m-diameter broad-based budding yeasts with thick, refrac tile, double-contoured walls. The male sea lion had multifocal transmural B lastomyces-induced enteritis with subsequent rupture and peritonitis. The o rganism was also present in the liver, with minimal associated inflammation . The female had severe multifocal pyogranulomatous ulcerative dermatitis a ssociated with large numbers of intralesional fungal organisms. Disseminati on to the spleen had occurred in both animals. A serologic immunodiffusion test for Blastomyces dermatitidis was positive in the male. The presumptive primary pathogen in both cases was Blastomyces dermatitidis.