Parasite-related lesions in a bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus.

Abstract

A free-ranging adult male bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) killed by polar bears was salvaged and examined at necropsy. Significant findings included diffuse intrahepatic bile duct fibrosis and chronic cholangitis; multiple nodules of chronic fibrosing pancreatitis; and gastric ulcers. Trematode eggs (Family Campulidae) were found in the pancreatic nodules. These eggs and the trematodes that produced them probably caused the pancreatic and liver lesions. Phocanema decipiens and Contracaecum osculatum were found in the stomach lumen; several P. decipiens were attached to gastric ulcers. Sarcocystis sp. is reported for the first time in a bearded seal.