Gian Enrico Magi

Effects of rearing density on rainbow trout welfare, determined by plasmatic and tissue parameters

Abstract The work aimed to determine the welfare status of rainbow trout (50±15 g), intensively reared to commercial size in two concrete raceways (V1, V2) at different stocking densities, to reach final load of 40 kg/m3 and 20 kg/m3, respectively. Throughout the out-phase, plasma parameters and hepatic glycogen content were determined every three months and compared with those of rainbow trout of the same age and mean weight, reared extensively (VE). At the end of the trial significant differences of the monitored parameters were found between rainbow trout reared in raceways (V1, V2) and those held in the reservoir (VE). Plasma triglycerids, total cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase in fish reared intensively were significantly different from fish reared in extensive conditions. The highest levels of these parameters in V1 and V2 could be justified mostly by the administration of balanced feeding and consequent modifications of energetic metabolism and in small part to the high density of the intensive rearing conditions. Transaminases (AST, ALT) increased in V1 and V2 only at the first sampling. Afterwards, the activity of these two enzymes returned to the normal range at the subsequent assays, suggesting a capacity of the rainbow trout to adapt to the severe conditions of confinement, typical of out-basins. No significant differences among groups were observed for total protein, glucose, CK and LDH. A similar situation was also shown for liver glycogen content.

PRIMARY OCULAR CHONDROSARCOMA IN A DISCUS (SYMPHISODON AEQUIFASCIATUS)

Abstract:  An adult discus (Symphisodon aequifasciatus) with a history of buphthalmia and anorexia was referred, from an aquarium, for clinical examination. Surgery was performed to enucleate the eye and obtain a definitive diagnosis. Macroscopic examination revealed a yellowish mass that affected the eye. Histologic examination of the mass revealed a poorly demarcated, high cellular infiltrative mesenchymal neoplasm composed of ovoidal-spindloid cells with elongated nuclei and with scant cytoplasm arranged in a solid pattern. Throughout the tumor, there were scattered foci of cartilaginous differentiation that stained deeply with alcian blue and stained metachromatically with toluidine blue. The neoplastic cells were immunolabeled to varying degrees by antibodies against vimentin and SOX-9. Based on morphologic, histochemical, and immunohistochemical characteristics, the tumor was diagnosed as a chondrosarcoma.

Adhesion molecules and cytokine profile in ileal tissue of sheep infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis.

Sheep develop clinical diseases after 3-5 years after infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). Clinical symptoms of paratuberculosis include persistent diarrhea and weight loss due to a chronic inflammation of the small intestine. Tissue alterations in the areas of the ileo-cecal junction are often observed. Here, we investigate the molecular processes underlying tissue damages in intestinal mucosa of 14 sheep showing either tuberculoid or lepromatous form of MAP enteritis. We found that E-cadherins, alpha-catenin and beta1-integrins were present at significant low levels in tissues of sheep affected by lepromatous form and that this pattern was associated with high expression of TGF-beta, IL-10, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha and with a modest increase of CD4+ and CD25+ T cells. Tissues of sheep with the tuberculoid form showed high expression of IFNgamma, IL-12, and MCP-1 and a significant presence of CD4+ and CD25+ T cells. Finally, anti-transglutaminase (tTG) IgG1 antibodies were detected in sera of infected animal belonging to both groups, as already described for human inflammatory bowel diseases. Our results further stress the similarities in the clinical and histological features between ruminant paratuberculosis and human intestinal inflammatory diseases.

Differentiation of glycans in equine guttural pouches.

The aim of this study was to investigate the carbohydrate composition of mucosubstances in the equine guttural pouches using conventional histochemical tests in conjunction with glycolytic digestion to degrade different classes of glycosoaminoglycans. In the goblet cells, the mucopolysaccharides contained chondroitin sulfate B, heparin, heparan sulfate and sialic acid residues. The acinar cells also expressed these substances (except for heparin), whereas the ductal cells produced chondroitin sulfate B and sialic acid. Neutral sugars were also found in each cell type. The diversity of the glycocomponents found in the auditory tube suggests that they may have important functional roles. Indeed, the glycosoaminoglycans provide a hydrophilic environment that prevents dehydration and desiccation of the guttural membranes during air passage. Additionally, these glycomolecules may be involved in the pathogenesis of some bacterial disease in horses, such as equine strangles.

Physical reparative treatment in reptiles

BackgroundThe tissue growth necessary to achieve a complete or partial restitution ad integrum as a result of injury to soft tissue and/or hard times in reptiles is variable and often needs long time in relation to the species, to the habitat and to their intrinsic physiological characteristics. The purpose of this work was to see if the tissue optimization (TO) treatment with radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) provided good results in these animals and whether its use translates into reduced time of tissue repair. This paper describes preliminary results with in promoting the tissue repair in reptiles.Cases presentationA 5 year old male Testudo graeca (Leo) and Trachemys scripta scripta (Mir) and a 15 year old female Testudo hermanni (Juta) were evaluated because of soft tissue injuries. A female 25 year old Trachemys scripta elegans (Ice), a female 2.5 year old Trachemys scripta scripta (Penelope) as well as a 50 year old male Testudo graeca (Margherito) were evaluated because of wounds of the carapace. Following debridement and traditional therapies, Leo, Penelope and Margherito were exposed to the radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) device, with a specific treatment protocol, named tissue optimization-basic (TO-B). Also Ice and Mir were subjected to REAC treatment after wounds debridement. Juta was treated only with REAC treatment.Complete wound healing was evident after 17 days for Leo, 7 days for Penelope, 27 days for Mir, 78 days for Ice and after 14 days for Margherito. Juta showed a considerable tissue activation in 2 days and complete wound healing in 5 days.ConclusionOur findings suggest that REAC TO-B treatment may provide advantages over other traditional methods after complete wound healing in Leo, and also suitable healing in the other patients. Then REAC device with its specific treatment TO-B protocol, which induces tissue repair without causing severe stress to the patient, could be a potential therapy for tissue damage healing in reptiles. Further studies still need to be conducted to support our observations.

Detection of the Maedi Visna Virus in the popliteal lymph nodes of sheep infected by the respiratory route

Detection of the Maedi Visna Virus in the popliteal lymph nodes of sheep infected by the respiratory route S. Preziuso & G. E. Magi & C. Valente & V. Cuteri Published online: 30 June 2009 # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2009

YERSINIA PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS, SEROGROUP O:1A, INFECTION IN TWO AMAZON PARROTS (AMAZONA AESTIVA AND AMAZONA ORATRIX) WITH HEPATIC HEMOSIDEROSIS

Abstract:  Necropsies were conducted on a female blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva) and a female yellow-headed Amazon (Amazona oratrix) that died after depression, ruffled feathers, diarrhea, and biliverdin in the urine. Gross and microscopic examinations revealed multifocal necrosis in the liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, intestines, and heart caused by acute bacteremia. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, serogroup O:1a, was isolated by culturing from the visceral lesions in the liver, intestines, and spleen. Virulence gene analysis showed the presence of the inv gene and the complete pathogenicity island: IS100, psn, yptE, irp1, irp2 ybtP-ybtQ, ybtX-ybtS, and int asnT-Int. Histopathologic findings and chemical analysis also demonstrated hepatic hemosiderosis. As has been demonstrated in other species, hemosiderosis may predispose Amazona spp. to systemic infection with Y. pseudotuberculosis after enteric disease.

Ovarian interstitial cell tumor in a South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens).

A case of an ovarian tumor is reported in an 8-yr-old South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) kept in a marine park in Malta (35.57°N, 14.25°E). The neoplasm was a solid mass of dense sheets and nests of round to polyhedral, irregularly shaped cells with abundant, finely vacuolated cytoplasm. The nuclei were uniformly small and round to oval. The supporting stroma contained thecal cells. The tumor cells were positive for positive inhibin and vimentin and focally positive for cytokeratin by immunohistochemistry. The neoplasm was diagnosed as an ovarian sex cord–stromal tumor, specifically an interstitial cell tumor.

Cutaneous lymphomatoid granulomatosis (angiotropic lymphoma) in a dog: immunophenotyping analysis

Cutaneous lymphomatoid granulomatosis (angiotropic lymphoma) in a dog: immunophenotyping analysis G. E. Magi & S. Di Pasquale & G. Renzoni Published online: 4 July 2009 # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2009

Diagnosis of XX/XY Blood Cell Chimerism at a Low Percentage in Horses

&NA; Disorders of sexual development (DSDs) are common in horses and cause economic loss in horse breeding. Thus, it is important to develop methods for unambiguous and fast identification of affected horses shortly after birth, as well as those that may propagate the condition to the next generation. Genetic causes of DSDs are multivarious and still little known, and thus development of diagnostic tests requires accumulating knowledge about individual cases and their etiologies. In particular, it is necessary to perform clinical, ultrasound, surgical, histological, cytogenetic, and genetic analyses with close attention in all the affected individuals. This report describes the case of a XX/XY chimeric horse with reproductive apparatus abnormalities and a very low percentage of XY cell in blood highlighting that to avoid undiagnosed case of cell chimeras, above all when studying DSD cases, it is essential to perform both genetic and cytogenetic analyses possibly on more than one tissue. HighlightsDisorders of sexual development (DSDs) are still a main cause of economic loss in horse breeding.Genetic and cytogenetic analyses on various tissues are essential in horse DSDs.DNA profiling on blood alone is not enough to detect all cases of cell chimerism.