Verminous pneumonia in the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus).

Verminous bronchitis and pneumonia due to Parafiaroides decorus infection is described in California sea lions (Zalapbus californianus). Marked edema and multiple nodules occurred throughout the lungs. Histologically, both intact and degenerate lungworms occurred and the inflammatory response was pleomophic. A hyaline eosinophilic structure occurring beneath the tracheal and bronchial epithelium was morphologically similar to a structure seen in several human pulmonary diseases. Hypersensitivity may have been important in the underlying pathogenesis of This disease. Liver flukes (Zalophotrema hepaaticum) and gastric ulcers containing nematodes (Contraceacum osculalum) occurred in several animals.