B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma in a free-ranging South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis).

Lymphomas are malignant neoplasms of the hematopoietic system arising from lymphocytes with highly variable biologic behavior. B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma (B-SLL) is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma infrequently described in domestic and wild animals. The present study describes a case of B-SLL in a free-ranging adult male Arctocephalus australis in Brazil. The main necropsy findings included poor body condition, generalized lymphadenomegaly, severe and diffuse splenomegaly, and multiple, white to yellow nodules in the kidneys and small intestine. Histologically, these organs were partially or totally effaced by neoplastic small lymphocytes arranged in sheets, with moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis and a low mitotic count. These cells diffusely immunolabeled for CD79α and CD20, and were negative for CD3. A diagnosis of multicentric B-SLL was established and to the authors' knowledge, it has not been previously described in this genus.

Omphalitis, urachocystitis and septicemia by Streptococcus dysgalactiae in a southern right whale calf Eubalaena australis, Brazil.

Southern right whales Eubalaena australis (SRW) use the southern coast of Brazil as a wintering and calving ground. Other than anthropogenic threats, there is limited knowledge on health and disease aspects for this species. We report the gross and microscopic findings and microbiological identification of streptococcal septicemia in a SRW calf. Main gross findings included fibrinosuppurative omphalitis and urachocystitis, suppurative cystitis, valvular endocarditis and myocarditis, embolic pneumonia, suppurative myositis and osteoarthritis, and lymphadenomegaly. Histological examination confirmed the above inflammatory processes and indicated disseminated Gram-positive coccoid septicemia. PCR analysis, based on the 16S rRNA gene from bacteria isolated on blood agar, identified Streptococcus dysgalactiae. Pathologic and microbiologic analysis indicated that ß-hemolytic S. dysgalactiae septicemia, presumably initiated as ascending omphalic infection, was responsible for stranding and death in this individual. These results further confirm pathogenicity of streptococci in cetaceans and add to the limited health and disease related pathology knowledge for this species.