Fatal Disseminated Toxoplasmosis in a Spinner Dolphin (<i>Stenella longirostris</i>)

Abstract

of the left lung, and numerous small nodules were scattered throughout the liver. Although not all of the organs were available for histologic examination, the adrenal glands were severely affected, with numerous large, discrete areas of coagulative necrosis in the cortex (Fig.1). Fewer lesions were in the medulla. Mononuclear leukocytic aggregates composed of lymphocytes and macrophages were found at the periphery of the necrotic areas. In the parenchymal cells were numerous organisms of Toxoplasma gondii, including both tachyzoites (Fig. 2) and tissue cysts. The bradyzoites in tissue cysts stained positively with the periodic acid-Schiff technique (Fig. 3). A diffuse encephalitis was present with numerous small foci of gliosis associated with tissue cysts. The liver had many small, randomly distributed, necrotic foci containing mononuclear leukocytic infiltrates, and T. gondii organisms were found occasionally in hepatocytes. The testes had several small necrotic foci, but no T. gondii was seen. A severe subacute to chronic