A Cadaveric Study Using Anatomical Cross-Section and Computed Tomography for the Coelomic Cavity in Juvenile Cory's Shearwater (Aves, Procellariidae, Calonectris borealis).

Birds play a crucial role in ecosystems, engaging in key functions such as pollination, pest control, and seed dispersal. The anatomical understanding of these species is essential to addressing emerging challenges, including climate change and habitat loss, which directly impact their survival. Detailed knowledge of avian anatomy is fundamental for research across various disciplines, ranging from ornithology to veterinary medicine. Therefore, this study aims to disseminate the understanding of avian anatomy and the application of computed tomography (CT) for visualizing the coelomic cavity in Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis). Recent advances in comprehending the anatomical structures of this region in avian species are highlighted, with a specific focus on Cory's Shearwater as a study model. Various anatomical cross-sections and transverse CT images were described and analyzed in detail, offering a comprehensive insight into the coelomic cavity from different perspectives. The correlation between anatomical cross-sections and CT images is emphasized as crucial for a profound understanding of avian anatomy. This research contributes to the broader knowledge of avian anatomy, with potential implications for conservation efforts and veterinary practices.

Anatomical Description of Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) and Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) Skull by Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Reconstruction and Maximum Intensity Projection Images.

The growing interest in reptiles has posed a challenge to veterinary clinicians due to the lack of a standardized system to perform anatomical studies similar to those used for dogs and cats. In this paper, we have attempted to describe, employing computed tomography and subsequent three-dimensional reconstructions, the normal anatomical features that comprise the skulls of two species of reptiles: the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the green iguana (Iguana iguana). Computed tomography (CT) and subsequent image processing allowed the identification of the bony structures that comprise the head of these species. As a result, and based on previous articles, we propose the most significant anatomical differences and similarities between these species.

Kinetics of the invasion of a non-phagocytic fish cell line, RTG-2 by Yersinia ruckeri serotype O1 biotype 1.

Yersiniosis, caused by the fish pathogen Yersinia ruckeri, is a serious bacterial septicaemia affecting mainly salmonids worldwide. The acute infection may result in high mortality without apparent external disease signs, while the chronic one causes moderate to considerable mortality. Survivors of yersiniosis outbreaks become carriers. Y. ruckeri is able to adhere to, and to invade, phagocytic and non-phagocytic fish cells by using unknown molecular mechanisms. The aim of this study was to describe the kinetics of cell invasion by Y. ruckeri serotype O1 biotype 1 in a fish cell line (RTG-2) originating from rainbow trout gonads. The efficiency of invasion by Y. ruckeri was found to be temperature dependent, having a maximum at 20 °C. The bacterium was able to survive up to 96 h postinfection. The incubation of the cells at 4 °C and the pre-incubation of the bacteria with sugars or heat-inactivated antiserum significantly decreased the efficiency of invasion or even completely prevented the invasion of RTG-2 cells. These findings indicate that Y. ruckeri is capable of adhering to, entering and surviving within non-phagocytic cells, and that the intracellular environment may constitute a suitable niche for this pathogen that can favour the spread of infection and/or the maintenance of a carrier state of fish.

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotypes isolated for the first time in feral cats: The impact on public health.

Stray cat populations can represent a significant threat of the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as salmonellosis. The objective of this study was to assess Salmonella carriage by free-living cats in Gran Canaria island and the Salmonella serovars involved, in order to inform to those responsible for the colonies about the possible risk factors. One hundred rectal swabs of feral cats were taken. Salmonella strains were serotyped in accordance with Kauffman-White-Le-Minor technique. Of a total of 100 animals under study, 19% were found to be positive to Salmonella spp. This is the first report that described the zoonotic serovars S. Nima, S. Bredeney, S. Grancanaria and S. Kottbus in cats. The present study demonstrates that feral cats may represent a source of risk for the spread of different Salmonella zoonotic serovars. It has been reported that there is a certain correlation between Salmonella isolates from pets and wild animals. Further studies are needed from other animal species and environmental sources to make this correlation.

Screening of New Potential Probiotics Strains against Photobacterium damselae Subsp. piscicida for Marine Aquaculture.

On intensive fish farms, 10% of the population dies exclusively from pathogens, and Photobacterium damselae subsp. Piscicida (Ph. damselae subsp. Piscicida), the bacteria causing pasteurellosis in marine aquaculture, is one of the major pathogens involved. The objective of this study was to obtain new probiotic strains against pasteurellosis in order to limit the use of chemotherapy, avoiding the environmental repercussions generated by the abusive use of these products. In this study, 122 strains were isolated from the gills and intestines of different marine fish species and were later evaluated in vitro to demonstrate the production of antagonistic effects, the production of antibacterial substances, adhesion and growth to mucus, resistance to bile and resistance to pH gradients, as well as its harmlessness and the dynamic of expression of immune-related genes by real-time PCR after administration of the potential probiotic in the fish diet. Only 1/122 strains showed excellent results to be considered as a potential probiotic strain and continue its characterization against Ph. damselae subsp. piscicida to determine its protective effect and elucidating in future studies its use as a possible probiotic strain for marine aquaculture.

Postmortem investigations on leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) stranded in the Canary Islands (Spain) (1998-2017): Evidence of anthropogenic impacts.

Opportunities for postmortem studies on leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are infrequent due to their predominantly pelagic life history. In this study, the pathological findings and causes of mortality of 13 leatherback turtles stranded in the Canary Islands, Spain, from 1998 to 2017, are described. In addition, concentrations of Se, As, Cd, Pb, Hg, 15 rare earth elements (REE) and other 4 minor elements (ME), 41 persistent organic pollutants, and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in hepatic samples from 5 leatherbacks were determined. 84.62% of the turtles died possibly due to anthropogenic causes (entanglement/fishing interaction - 46.15%; boat strike - 23.07%; plastic ingestion - 15.38%). Although Se, As, and Cd were found at higher hepatic concentrations than those reported for leatherbacks from other locations, no acute lesions were detected. This is the first report of exposure to REE-ME in sea turtles. Organic contaminant hepatic concentrations were generally low or undetectable.

Cranial Structure of Varanus komodoensis as Revealed by Computed-Tomographic Imaging.

This study aimed to describe the anatomic features of the normal head of the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) identified by computed tomography. CT images were obtained in two dragons using a helical CT scanner. All sections were displayed with a bone and soft tissue windows setting. Head reconstructed, and maximum intensity projection images were obtained to enhance bony structures. After CT imaging, the images were compared with other studies and reptile anatomy textbooks to facilitate the interpretation of the CT images. Anatomic details of the head of the Komodo dragon were identified according to the CT density characteristics of the different organic tissues. This information is intended to be a useful initial anatomic reference in interpreting clinical CT imaging studies of the head and associated structures in live Komodo dragons.

Mortality associated with ingestion of sea urchins in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta): A case series.

AIMS: The aims of this study were: a) to describe the pathological and laboratory findings in a case series of stranding and mortality associated with ingestion of large amounts of sea urchins in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), and b) to alert veterinarians and biologists involved in sea turtle conservation of this cause of stranding and/or death. METHODS: The six loggerheads studied were stranded on the coasts of Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain, between 2008 and 2015. Post mortem studies included pathological, microbiological, and sea urchin species identification procedures. RESULTS: All turtles showed severe intestinal impaction caused by large amounts of sea urchins, mainly affecting the colon and the caudal half of the small intestine. Histologically, severe focal fibrinonecrotic enteritis was diagnosed in two turtles. In the remaining turtles, lesions ranged from mild desquamation of the intestinal epithelium to severe congestion of the blood vessels of lamina propria, submucosa, muscular and serosa, and edema. Vibrio sp. was isolated from the spleen and intestinal mucosa of a loggerhead in which focal fibrinonecrotic enteritis had been diagnosed. In five turtles, all the remains were fragments from long-spined sea urchins (Diadema africanum); the last turtle contained a mixture of long-spined sea urchin (90%) and purple sea urchin (Sphaerechinus granularis) (10%) remains. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of this cause of stranding was low (< 1.6%) compared to other mortality causes, continued overfishing and anthropogenic climate change could increase its incidence. Intestinal impaction with large amounts of sea urchins should be included in the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases in sea turtles, and the possible toxic effect of some sea urchin species on sea turtles should also be investigated.

Susceptibility of Malassezia pachydermatis to aminoglycosides.

Previous studies have evaluated the action of gentamicin against Malassezia pachydermatis. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro susceptibility of M. pachydermatis to the aminoglycosides- gentamicin, tobramycin, netilmicin and framycetin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of gentamicin was determined following methods M27-A3 microdilution and Etest® . The Etest® was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tobramycin and netilmicin. The Kirby-Bauer test was used to determine the antibiotic susceptibility to the framycetin. The MIC50 and MIC90 were 8.12 µg/mL and 32.5 µg/mL by microdilution method for gentamicin. The MIC50, determined by the Etest® , was 8 µg/mL for gentamicin and netilmicin and 64 µg/mL for tobramycin. The MIC90 was 16 and 32 µg/mL for gentamicin and netilmicin respectively. The MIC90 was outside of the detectable limits for tobramycin. To framycetin, 28 strains (40%) of the 70 M. pachydermatis isolates tested showed a diameter of 22 mm, 22 strains (31.42%) showed a diameter of 20 mm, 16 strains showed a diameter of ≤ 18 mm, and only 5.71% of the isolates showed a diameter of ≥ 22 mm. This study provides evidence of high in vitro activity of the aminoglycosides-gentamicin, tobramycin, netilmicin and framycetin against M. pachydermatis. For gentamicin Etest® showed similar values of MIC50 y MIC90 that the obtained by microdilution method. We considered Etest® method could be a good method for these calculations with aminoglycosides.

Assessment of in vitro inhibitory activity of hydrogen peroxide on the growth of Malassezia pachydermatis and to compare its efficacy with commercial ear cleaners.

Otitis caused by Malassezia pachydermatis is generally a common and recurrent disease in canine clinical pathology. The increased incidence of fungal resistant to antifungal in both humans and pets is a cause for concern and is associated with the indiscriminate use of antifungals. Finding the most effective disinfectants and antifungals has become essential. To evaluate the in vitro inhibitory activity of hydrogen peroxide on the growth of M. pachydermatis and compare its efficacy with commercial ear cleaners. The test for sensitivity to antimicrobials was carried out following the indications of the CLSI document M44-A2. The comparative results demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide 1.5% showed excellent results for growth inhibition of M. pachydermatis, followed by Epiotic® and MalAcetic® , the lowest result was for Otoclean® .

In vitro susceptibility testing of Malassezia pachydermatis to gentamicin.

BACKGROUND: Two studies have observed that growth media containing gentamicin can inhibit the growth of the yeast organism Malassezia pachydermatis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of this bactericidal antibiotic for this organism has not been previously determined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the susceptibility of M. pachydermatis isolates to gentamicin. METHODS: The MIC of gentamicin was determined using a modified version of the M27-A3 microdilution method following the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. A modified Christensen's urea broth was used to enhance the growth of the M. pachydermatis isolates. Visual and spectrophotometric end-point readings were performed to detect the presence or absence of yeast growth. RESULTS: The MIC50 and MIC90 of gentamicin were 8.12 µg/mL and 32.5 µg/mL, respectively; M. pachydermatis strains were classified as susceptible (S), intermediate (I) and resistant (R). The susceptibility of these isolates to gentamicin in vitro, by visual and spectrophotometric end-point reading, was: S, 54-56%; I, 40-41%; and R, 3-6%. CONCLUSION: Prospective MICs for M. pachydermatis have been established for gentamicin.

Fatal systemic morbillivirus infection in bottlenose dolphin, canary islands, Spain.

A systemic morbillivirus infection was diagnosed postmortem in a juvenile bottlenose dolphin stranded in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean in 2005. Sequence analysis of a conserved fragment of the morbillivirus phosphoprotein gene indicated that the virus is closely related to dolphin morbillivirus recently reported in striped dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea.

Esophageal diverticulum associated with Aerococcus viridans infection in a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta).

A juvenile loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) stranded in Gran Canaria, Spain was necropsied. The turtle was underweight, had sunken eyes, and small amounts of crude oil were in the oral cavity. The most significant lesion was a large esophageal diverticulum at the junction of the esophagus and stomach. The diverticulum was full of gas and green mucoid fluid and a diffuse thick yellow fibrinonecrotic membrane covered the mucosa. The lumen of the diverticulum also contained moderate numbers of cephalopods, crustaceans, and anthropogenic debris including crude oil balls, plastics, and fishing lines. Histologically there was a severe diffuse fibrinonecrotic esophagitis. Aerococcus viridans was isolated from the diverticulum. This is the first report of an esophageal diverticulum in a sea turtle. Although A. viridans is a known pathogen of lobsters and fishes, there are no reports of A. viridans infection in sea turtles.