Cryptococcus in a Wild Loon (Gavia immer)

A debilitated adult male common loon (Gavia immer) was taken to a veterinary practice in Liverpool, NY where it later died. Subsequently it was sent to Tufts Wildlife Clinic as part of a regional mortality study. During the necropsy, pathology involving most organ systems was noted. Microbiologic and histopathologic examination revealed an overwhelming infection by the fungus Cryptococcus spp.