Lipid storage disease in 4 sibling superb birds-of-paradise (Lophorina superba).

Pedigree analysis, clinical, gross, microscopic, ultrastructural, and lipidomic findings in 4 female superb bird-of-paradise (SBOP, Lophorina superba) siblings led to the diagnosis of a primary inherited glycerolipid storage disease. These birds were the offspring of a related breeding pair (inbreeding coefficient = 0.1797) and are the only known SBOPs to display this constellation of lesions. The birds ranged from 0.75 to 4.3 years of age at the time of death. Two birds were euthanized and 1 died naturally due to the disease, and 1 died of head trauma with no prior clinical signs. Macroscopic findings included hepatomegaly and pallor (4/4), cardiac and renal pallor (2/4), and coelomic effusion (1/4). Microscopic examination found marked tissue distortion due to cytoplasmic lipid vacuoles in hepatocytes (4/4), cardiomyocytes (4/4), renal tubular epithelial cells (4/4), parathyroid gland principal cells (2/2), exocrine pancreatic cells (3/3), and the glandular cells of the ventriculus and proventriculus (3/3). Ultrastructurally, the lipids were deposited in single to coalescing or fused droplets lined by an inconspicuous or discontinuous monolayer membrane. Lipidomic profiling found that the cytoplasmic lipid deposits were primarily composed of triacylglycerols. Future work, including sequencing of the SBOP genome and genotyping, will be required to definitively determine the underlying genetic mechanism of this disease.

Granulosa cell tumour in a llama (Lama glama).

Hormonally active tumours are characterized by production and secretion of hormones, irrespective of endogenous feedback mechanisms. An adult llama had exuberant oestrous behaviour, infertility, elevated concentrations of oestradiol and a large ovarian mass. Necropsy revealed the presence of two large abdominal masses, one effacing the right ovary and one in the mesocolon. Considering the clinical and histopathological findings, we conclude that the llama was affected by a granulosa cell tumour. The case suggests that granulosa cell tumours in camelids are hormonally active, and the clinical presentation resembles that of other large animal species. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of an oestrogen-producing, metastatic granulosa cell tumour in a llama.

Ophidiomycosis in Red Cornsnakes (Pantherophis guttatus): Potential Roles of Brumation and Temperature on Pathogenesis and Transmission.

Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. As ophidiomycosis is difficult to study in free-ranging snakes, a reliable experimental model is needed to investigate transmission, pathogenesis, morbidity, and mortality, and the effects of brumation and temperature on disease development. Our objective was to develop such a model via subcutaneous injection of O. ophiodiicola conidia in red cornsnakes (Pantherophis guttatus). The model was used to evaluate transmission and the effects of brumation and temperature in co-housed inoculated and noninoculated snakes. All 23 inoculated snakes developed lesions consistent with ophidiomycosis, including heterophilic and granulomatous dermatitis, cellulitis, and myositis, and embolic fungal granulomas throughout the liver and the coelomic connective tissue in 21/23 (91%). In the inoculated snakes, 21% of skin swabs, 37% of exuvia, and all liver samples tested positive by qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) for O. ophiodiicola. A post brumation skin swab from 1/12 noninoculated snakes that brumated in contact with inoculated snakes tested positive by qPCR, suggesting possible contact transmission. That snake had microscopic skin lesions consistent with ophidiomycosis, but no visible fungal elements. Of the 23 inoculated snakes, 20 (87%) died over the 70-day experiment, with ophidiomycosis considered the primary cause of death; 12 (52%) of the inoculated snakes died during brumation. Overall, this experimental model of ophidiomycosis reproduced skin lesions analogous to those of many natural cases, and internal lesions similar to the most severe natural cases. The study provides tentative experimental evidence for horizontal transmission in brumation, and offers a tool for future studies of this widespread snake disease.

Pathology associated with ophidiomycosis in wild snakes in Ontario, Canada.

Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is the most common cause of skin lesions in free-ranging snakes in North America. Naturally infected snakes with ophidiomycosis (9 carcasses, 12 biopsies) were examined grossly and histologically. These cases comprised 32% of the 66 snake cases submitted to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative-Ontario/Nunavut Node in 2012 through 2018. Affected species included the eastern foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus; n = 15), gray ratsnake (Pantherophis spiloides; n = 3), eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus; n = 2), and queensnake (Regina septemvittata; n = 1). Severity of disease varied widely from mild microscopic skin lesions to fatal, necrotizing, and ulcerative facial lesions. Key clinical message: Ophidiomycosis should be the primary differential diagnosis for skin lesions in wild snakes, particularly in southern Ontario.

L'ophidiomycose (maladie fongique du serpent) est la cause la plus fréquente de lésions cutanées chez les serpents en liberté en Amérique du Nord. Les serpents infectés naturellement avec l'ophidiomycose (9 carcasses, 12 biopsies) furent examinés macroscopiquement et histologiquement. Ces cas comprenaient 32 % des 66 cas de serpents soumis au Réseau canadien pour la santé de la faune ­ Centre régional de l'Ontario et du Nunavut entre 2012 et 2018. Les espèces affectées incluaient la couleuvre fauve de l'est (Pantherophis vulpinus; n = 15), la couleuvre obscure (Pantherophis spiloides; n = 3), la massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus; n = 2) et la couleuvre royale (Regina septemvittata; n = 1). La sévérité de la maladie variait grandement allant de lésions cutanées microscopiques à une forme fatale, nécrosante et lésions faciales ulcératives.Message clinique clé :L'ophidiomycose devrait être le diagnostic différentiel primaire pour les lésions cutanées chez les serpents sauvages, particulièrement dans le sud de l'Ontario.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

First report of ranavirus mortality in a common snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina.

An adult male snapping turtle with marked palpebral edema and multifocal skin ulceration was found alive in a marsh in southern Ontario in summer 2017. The turtle was transported to a rehabilitation facility and died 4 d after arrival. The carcass was submitted to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative for post-mortem examination. Gross lesions included ulcerative conjunctivitis, necrotizing stomatitis, and splenomegaly. Microscopically, this corresponded to multisystemic fibrinonecrotizing vasculitis and severe fibrinous splenic necrosis. Liver tissue tested positive for frog virus 3-like ranavirus and negative for herpesvirus via polymerase chain reaction. The gross and microscopic lesions were consistent with previous reports of ranavirus infection in turtles and were severe enough to have been the cause of death in this case. This is the first report of morbidity and mortality in a common snapping turtle with a ranavirus infection, and the first reported case of ranavirus infection in a reptile in Canada. Ranaviruses are considered to be an emerging infectious disease in chelonians as they are increasing in distribution, prevalence, and host range.

Accidental selenium toxicosis in lambs.

Acute selenium toxicosis occurred in 3-week-old lambs after accidental over-supplementation by intramuscular injection and caused dyspnea, cyanosis, and sudden death. Pathological lesions included myocardial necrosis, skeletal muscle necrosis, pulmonary edema, hydrothorax, and hydropericardium.

Toxicose accidentelle au sélénium chez des agneaux. Une toxicose aiguë au sélénium s'est produite chez des agneaux âgés de 3 semaines après une supplémentation excédentaire accidentelle par injection intramusculaire et elle a causé des signes de dyspnée, de cyanose et de mort soudaine. Les lésions pathologiques incluaient une nécrose du myocarde, une nécrose du muscle squelettique, un œdème pulmonaire, de l'hydrothorax et de l'hydropéricarde.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).