Scientists Concerned Rare Parasite Strain Killing Sea Otters Could Jump to Humans Laboratory Equipment 3/24/2023

https://www.laboratoryequipment.com/595550-Scientists-Concerned-Rare-Parasite-Strain-Killing-Sea-Otters-Could-Jump-to-Humans/

Key points
Key points:

Four sea otters that stranded in California died due to a rare but deadly parasite.
Four stranded sea otters in California were killed due to a rare but deadly parasite.

At present, no infections have been reported in humans living in this area, but it has the potential to infect all warm-blooded animals.
At present, no infections with the strain have been reported in humans living in the area, but it can infect all warm-blooded species.

While healthy humans are rarely infected with toxoplasmosis, the possibility of miscarriage and neurological disease has been pointed out.
Though it rarely affects healthy humans, Toxoplasmosis has been linked to possible miscarriages and neurological diseases.

According to a study by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the University of California, Davis, four sea otters that stranded in California died of unusually severe toxoplasmosis.
Four sea otters that stranded in California died from an unusually severe form of toxoplasmosis, according to a study from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the University of California, Davis.

This disease is caused by a rare, microscopic parasite called Toxoplasma gondii.
The disease is caused by the rare, microscopic parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which researchers say they’ve never previously seen in aquatic animals.


According to preliminary findings published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, toxoplasmosis is common in sea otters and can be fatal, but this rare strain can quickly kill healthy adult sea otters.
The preliminary findings, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, note that while toxoplasmosis is common in sea otters and can be fatal, this unusual strain is capable of quickly killing healthy adult otters.

This rare Toxoplasma has never been detected on the California coast.
California has never had the rare strain of Toxoplasma detected on its coasts.

Scientists are concerned that there may be a public health risk as the environment and marine food chain could be contaminated.
Scientists are concerned that a possible contamination of the environment and the marine food chain might pose a public health risk.

At present, no human infections with this strain have been reported.
At present, no infections of this strain have been reported in humans.

Melissa Miller of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stated, "Because this parasite can infect humans and other animals, we want others to be aware of these findings, recognize cases immediately if they encounter them, and take precautions to prevent infection."
“Because this parasite can infect humans and other animals, we want others to be aware of our findings, quickly recognize cases if they encounter them and take precautions to prevent infection,” said corresponding author Melissa Miller of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"We encourage others to take extra precautions if they observe inflamed systemic fat deposits in sea otters or other marine wildlife."
“We encourage others to take extra precautions if they observe inflamed systemic fat deposits in sea otters or other marine wildlife.”

Toxoplasma gondii is usually hosted by wild and domestic cats and is shed through their feces. Toxoplasmosis has been linked to the possibility of miscarriage and neurological disease, but it rarely affects healthy people.
Toxoplasma gondii is commonly hosted by wild and domestic cats and shed through their feces. Toxoplasmosis has been linked to possible miscarriages and neurological diseases, but it rarely affects healthy humans.

The four sea otters reported in this study stranded between 2020 and 2022, and all suffered from severe inflammation of body fat, a condition called steatitis. Severe steatitis is a very rare finding in sea otters with toxoplasmosis.
The four sea otters described in this study, stranded between 2020 and 2022, all had severe inflammation of their body fat—a condition called steatitis. Severe steatitis is a very unusual finding in sea otters with toxoplasmosis.

Furthermore, numerous parasites were observed throughout the body, excluding the brain, which is one of the major organs in sea otters with fatal toxoplasmosis.
Additionally, high numbers of the parasites were observed throughout each body except the brain, which is typically one of the major organs affected in sea otters with fatal toxoplasmosis.


All four otters stranded during periods of high coastal rainfall, meaning they may have been exposed to Toxoplasma eggs through storm runoff. Three of the otters stranded near each other, but it is unclear if they were all infected in the same location.
All four otters stranded during periods of high coastal rainfall, which means they may have been exposed to Toxoplasma eggs via storm runoff. Although three of the otters stranded near each other, it is unclear whether they were all infected in the same location.

A specific strain of Toxoplasma called COUG was first discovered in Canadian cougars during surveillance following a nearby outbreak among humans in 1995, but the strain of Toxoplasma responsible for the outbreak was never reported.
The specific strain of Toxoplasma, called COUG, was first found in 1995 in Canadian mountain lions during surveillance after a nearby outbreak among humans, but the strain of Toxoplasma responsible for the outbreak was never reported.


"I have been studying Toxoplasma infections in sea otters for 25 years, and I have never seen such severe lesions or such a high number of parasites," Miller said. "We are reporting our preliminary findings to alert others to this concerning situation."
“I have studied Toxoplasma infections in sea otters for 25 years, and I have never seen such severe lesions or high parasite numbers,” Miller said. “We are reporting our preliminary findings to alert others about this concerning condition.

Because Toxoplasma can infect any warm-blooded animal, it could also potentially cause disease in animals and humans that share the same environment or food resources, including mussels, clams, oysters, and crabs that are consumed raw or undercooked."
Since Toxoplasma can infect any warm-blooded animal, it could also potentially cause disease in animals and humans that share the same environment or food resources, including mussels, clams, oysters, and crabs that are consumed raw or undercooked.”

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