Pathologic features and molecular identification of parelaphostrongylosis in a sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii).

We report the pathologic features, local inflammatory response immunophenotype, and molecular identification results of cerebral nematodiasis in a young sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) from Texas. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of cerebral nematodiasis by Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in a sitatunga, a bovid species introduced into the USA, and the first characterization of the local inflammatory response immunoprofile in this condition. A molecular identification method based on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded-polymerase chain reaction was described. These results contribute to knowledge on geographical distribution and host spectrum of P. tenuis, and highlight the relevance of this nematodiasis in naïve translocated or introduced bovid species into endemic areas.

Retrospective Survey of Amphibian Pathology Cases at Texas A&M University System (2016-2020).

Dramatic declines in amphibians worldwide highlight the need for a better understanding of diseases affecting these species. To delineate the health issues of amphibians submitted to Texas A&M University System (2016-2020), the databases were queried on the basis of defined selection criteria. A total of 502 anurans (157 frogs [44 species] and 345 toads [10 species]) and 30 caudatans (23 salamanders [6 species] and 7 newts [4 species]) were reviewed. A most likely cause of death or major pathological finding (CD-MPF) leading to euthanasia was identified in 295 (55%) Anura cases and 15 (50%) Caudata cases. Of the 532 records reviewed, anurans included 492 captive, seven free-ranging and three undetermined specimens. All caudatans were captive. The most common CD-MPF in anurans was infectious/inflammatory (228/295; 77%), involving mycobacteriosis (73/228; 32%), chlamydiosis (44/228; 19%) and mycosis (32/228; 14%). Neoplasia was less common (28/295; 9%). Infectious/inflammatory lesions (14/15; 93%) were the main CD-MPFs in caudatans. Infectious diseases are a significant threat to captive amphibians in Texas and these results may aid personnel involved in amphibian conservation programmes, veterinarians and diagnosticians.

Leukemic histiocytic sarcoma in a captive common squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) with Saimiriine Gammaherpesvirus 2 (Rhadinovirus), Saimiri sciureus lymphocryptovirus 2 (Lymphocryptovirus) and Squirrel monkey retrovirus (ß-Retrovirus) coinfection.

Hematopoietic neoplasia other than lymphoma and leukemia is uncommon among non-human primates. Herein, we provide the first evidence of occurrence of leukemic histiocytic sarcoma in a captive common squirrel monkey with Saimiriine Gammaherpesvirus 2 (Rhadinovirus), Saimiri sciureus lymphocryptovirus 2 (Lymphocryptovirus), and Squirrel monkey retrovirus (ß-Retrovirus) coinfection.

The effects of prebiotics on the digestive enzymes and gut histomorphology of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis).

The effects of four prebiotics (fructo-oligosaccharide, Bio-MOS, transgalacto-oligosaccharide and GroBiotic-A) on digestive enzymes and intestinal morphology were studied in juvenile hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis) and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) using two separate 8-week feeding trials. Red drum were fed experimental diets with the four prebiotics each individually supplemented at 1% and hybrid striped bass were fed diets supplemented with GroBiotic-A at 1 and 2%. Both trials were conducted with each diet fed to apparent satiation twice per d to three replicate groups of fifteen juvenile fish. For histomorphological analysis, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) samples from three randomly selected fish per tank were taken at 4 and 8 weeks for hybrid striped bass and at 8 weeks for red drum. For both trials, GIT samples from two randomly selected fish per tank were taken at 4 and 8 weeks and analysed for pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, aminopeptidase, α-amylase, lipase, and both acid and alkaline phosphatase activities. The results of the histological evaluation indicated that the inclusion of prebiotics was adequate to elicit structural changes in the GIT of both species. On the other hand, no significant changes in the enzyme activities were detected at week 8 in both species. However, there was a transient effect of Bio-MOS supplementation on the activities of aminopeptidase, α-amylase and alkaline phosphatase at week 4 in red drum only. Thus, previously observed improvements in nutrient digestibility by these fish in response to prebiotic supplementation appear to be mostly related to changes in GIT structure as opposed to the enhancement of digestive enzyme activity.