Pathological Features of Amyloidosis in Stranded California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus)

K. M. Colegrove, F. M.D. Gulland, K. Harr, D. K. Naydan, L. J. Lowenstine

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Amyloidosis was diagnosed in 26 stranded adult California sea lions between 1983 and 2006 by retrospective case analysis. The kidneys (92.3% of animals), blood vessels (80.7%) and thyroid glands (65.4%) were most commonly affected. Macroscopically, affected kidneys were swollen, with pale tan cortices and loss of corticomedullary differentiation. Amyloid deposits in the kidney were located in the glomeruli, blood vessels, and peritubular interstitium, most prominently in the outer stripe of the medulla. The amyloid deposits were identified as type amyloid A (AA) by potassium permanganate staining and immunolabelling with antibodies against AA protein. Concurrent diseases, including inflammatory processes and genital carcinoma, were common in affected animals. Serum amyloid A concentrations were high (>1200 μg/ml) in six of seven affected sea lions, while the median value in clinically healthy animals was <10 μg/ml. These findings suggest that renal amyloidosis contributes to morbidity and mortality in stranded adult California sea lions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)105-112
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Comparative Pathology
Volume140
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2009

Keywords

  • AA amyloidosis
  • California sea lion
  • Zalophus californianus
  • sea lion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • General Veterinary

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pathological Features of Amyloidosis in Stranded California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this