Fatal adiaspiromycosis in a wild Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra)

Abstract

Postmortem examination of an immature otter which died in the wild showed that large areas of the lungs were swollen and firm, with emphysema and haemorrhage in the remaining areas. Histopathological examination revealed large numbers of fungal adiaspores and an unusually severe inflammatory response. It was considered that respiratory impairment was the primary cause of the otter's death.