Streptococcus phocae-Associated Pyothorax Secondary to Verminous Perforative Esophagitis in a Juvenile Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) in the UK

J Wildl Dis. 2025 Jul 1;61(3):787-791. doi: 10.7589/JWD-D-24-00171.

Abstract

A stranded juvenile harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) was necropsied following acute dyspnea and death. Necropsy revealed an esophageal perforation caused by fourth-stage Contracaecum osculatum larvae with Streptococcus phocae-associated pyothorax and aspiration pneumonia. Pyothorax is uncommon in seals, and S. phocae is considered a novel etiology, secondary to verminous esophageal perforation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascaridida Infections* / complications
  • Ascaridida Infections* / veterinary
  • Ascaridoidea
  • Esophageal Perforation* / complications
  • Esophageal Perforation* / parasitology
  • Esophageal Perforation* / veterinary
  • Esophagitis* / complications
  • Esophagitis* / veterinary
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Male
  • Phoca* / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections* / complications
  • Streptococcal Infections* / epidemiology
  • Streptococcal Infections* / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections* / pathology
  • Streptococcal Infections* / veterinary
  • Streptococcus* / isolation & purification
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology