This study investigates leptospirosis in southern sea otters, finding that 74% tested positive for Leptospira interrogans serogroup Pomona, with 70% of positive cases linked to fatal outcomes.

Frontiers in Marine Science · Jul 20, 2026Peer-reviewedPathology

Identification of Candidate Protein Biomarkers Associated with Domoic Acid Toxicosis in Cerebrospinal Fluid of California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus)

Gautam Ghosh, Benjamin A. Neely, Alison M. Bland, Emily R. Whitmer, Cara L. Field, Pádraig J. Duignan, Michael G. Janech

This study identifies protein biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid that distinguish acute and chronic domoic acid toxicosis in California sea lions.

Journal of Proteome Research · May 29, 2024Peer-reviewedBiochemistry

Xenotransplantation of porcine progenitor cells in an epileptic California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)

Claire A. Simeone, John Paul Andrews, Shawn Johnson, Mariana L. Casalia, Ryan B. Kochanski, Edward F. Chang, Dianne M. Cameron, Sophie Dennison, Ben A. Inglis, Gregory N. Scott, Kris T. Kruse-Elliott, Fabian Okonski, Eric Calvo, Kelly Goulet, Dawn Robles, , Scott C. Baraban

This study describes xenotransplantation of porcine interneuron progenitor cells into the hippocampus of an epileptic California sea lion, resulting in seizure cessation and stabilized clinical measures.

bioRxiv · Jul 30, 2021 · PreprintNeuroscience

An MRI protocol for anatomical and functional evaluation of the California sea lion brain

Peter F. Cook, Vanessa F. Hoard, Sudipto Dolui, Blaise B. Frederick, Richard Redfern, Sophie Dennison, Barbie Halaska, Josh Bloom, Kris T. Kruse-Elliott, Emily R. Whitmer, Emily J. Trumbull, Gregory S. Berns, John A. Detre, Mark D’Esposito, Frances M. D. Gulland, , Ben A. Inglis

This paper describes an MRI protocol for evaluating the brain anatomy and function of California sea lions, focusing on developmental effects of domoic acid exposure.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods · Feb 10, 2021Peer-reviewedNeuroscience