RESUMEN
Utilization of finfish and aquatic invertebrates in biomedical research and as environmental sentinels has grown dramatically in recent decades. Likewise the aquaculture of finfish and invertebrates has expanded rapidly worldwide as populations of some aquatic food species and threatened or endangered aquatic species have plummeted due to overharvesting or habitat degradation. This increasing intensive culture and use of aquatic species has heightened the importance of maintaining a sophisticated understanding of pathology of various organ systems of these diverse species. Yet, except for selected species long cultivated in aquaculture, pathology databases and the workforce of highly trained pathologists lag behind those available for most laboratory animals and domestic mammalian and avian species. Several factors must change to maximize the use, understanding, and protection of important aquatic species: 1) improvements in databases of abnormalities across species; 2) standardization of diagnostic criteria for proliferative and nonproliferative lesions; and 3) more uniform and rigorous training in aquatic morphologic pathology.
Asunto(s)
Acuicultura/métodos , Peces , Invertebrados , Patología , Animales , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Patología/educación , Patología/normas , Patología/tendenciasRESUMEN
Unexpected morbidity and mortality of aquatic animal models represent a significant problem for researchers. The authors outline the basic procedures used to diagnose disease outbreaks in laboratory zebrafish colonies, and provide a basic framework for initiating clinical investigations.
Asunto(s)
Animales de Laboratorio , Técnicas de Laboratorio Clínico/veterinaria , Brotes de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Peces/diagnóstico , Pez Cebra , Animales , Técnicas HistológicasRESUMEN
The gastric fluid and feces of three belugas from the Mystic Aquarium were assessed for the presence of Helicobacter spp. Gastric fluid and feces from the two clinically healthy belugas were negative for helicobacter, and endoscopy performed on these animals revealed no lesions. However, a helicobacter isolate and PCR product similar to helicobacter strains previously recovered from dolphins were identified, respectively, from the feces and gastric fluid of a beluga manifesting intermittent inappetence and lethargy. Esophageal and forestomach ulcers were noted on endoscopy. This is the first report of novel Helicobacter spp. being identified from whales.