Zeitschriftenaufsatz | 2026 Open Access

Trouble in the Tank: A Case Report of Fatal Scuticociliate Encephalitis in a Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus).

Autor:in
Schwegler, H.; Schreiner, J.; Prüllage, M.; Lipnik, K.; Holzer, A. S.; Lewisch, E.
Publikationen als Autor:in / Herausgeber:in der Vetmeduni
Schwegler, Hella; Holzer, Astrid; Lipnik, Karoline; Lewisch, Eva; Prüllage, Maria Laura
Journal
Journal Of Fish Diseases
Schlagwörter
Triaenodon obesus; MRI; magnetic resonance imaging; scuticociliatosis; shark disease
Dokumenten­typ
Report
CC Lizenz
CC-BY-NC-ND
Open Access Type
Hybrid
ISSN/eISSN
0140-7775 - 1365-2761
DOI
Öffnen URL 10.1111/jfd.70046
WoS ID
Öffnen URL WOS:001555807700001
PubMed ID
Öffnen URL 40843639

Weitere Details

Band
49
Nummer
3
AbstractThis case report presents a recent case of scuticociliatosis in a whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), housed at a zoo (Haus des Meeres Aqua Terra Zoo, Vienna, Austria). Clinical signs such as uncoordinated swimming and body tilt were observed prior to death. Postmortem examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed significant brain lesions consistent with granulomatous or necrotising encephalitis. Histopathology and molecular diagnostics confirmed the presence of the scuticociliate Miamiensis avidus and/or Philasterides dicentrarchi in the brain, with extensive tissue invasion. This case underscores the pathogenicity of scuticociliates in elasmobranchs, highlighting the need for effective management practices in aquaria to prevent or mitigate such infections. In this study, we present the first documented infection with scuticociliates in the whitetip reef shark.

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