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We investigated disease trends of concern for fish or public health in a 5-y (2017–2021) prospective survey of fish in Cook County, IL, inland lakes. Lesions were assessed in relation to fish species, lake type and location, season and collection year, and lake water chemistry parameters. Fish included bullheads (n= 98), common carp (n= 99), bluegill (n= 114), and largemouth bass (n= 118). Annually, fish collection and point-source water sampling were conducted in spring, summer, and fall from both seepage and impoundment lakes. Examinations included autopsy, wet-mount cytologic assessment for ectoparasites, and histopathology. No lesions of public health concern were detected. The most common abnormalities were branchitis (261 of 429; 60.8%) and endoparasitism (312 of 429; 72.7%). Branchitis was mild in most cases (189 of 261; 72.4%) and concurrent with branchial parasitism in 175 of 261 (67%) cases. Monogeneans were the most common gill parasites but did not influence branchitis severity (Kruskal–Wallis, p= 0.484). Using generalized ordered logistic regression, predictors of branchitis severity included fish species (p< 0.001), the interaction of lake or location and alkalinity (p< 0.001), and water temperature or season (p< 0.001). Endoparasites included tissue larval trematodes (metacercaria), nematodes, and cestodes (plerocercoids), enteric acanthocephalans, gastric trematodes, renal myxosporidia, biliary and gall bladder myxosporidia, enteric cestodes, and tissue microsporidia. Using generalized ordered logistic regression, variables influencing endoparasitism severity included species (p< 0.001), year (p< 0.001), chloride level (p= 0.009), and the interaction of year and chloride level (p< 0.001). Our results suggested overall good health of fish in sampled Cook County inland lakes and provide a foundation for continued monitoring of ecosystem and public health in the urban environment.

Reoviruses are nonenveloped, segmented, double-stranded RNA viruses capable of infecting a wide range of invertebrate, vertebrate, fungus, and plant hosts. Though sporadic infection has been reported in a variety of reptilian species, infection of rough green snakes (Opheodrys aestivus) has not been previously described. Five wild-caught, adult rough green snakes were obtained by a zoological institution. Clinical deterioration was first noted in all snakes after 3 weeks in quarantine. Despite treatment, clinical decline progressed, and all 5 snakes died or were euthanized by 48 days post-arrival. Moderate, multifocal, acute, necrotizing hepatitis with hepatocellular syncytia was diagnosed in 1 snake. Two additional snakes had severe, diffuse, subacute to chronic pancreatitis. All 5 snakes had gastroenteric cryptosporidiosis. Electron microscopic examination of liver from the snake with hepatic lesions revealed scattered hepatocytes containing 1 or more intranuclear clusters of approximately 90 nm in diameter viral particles arranged in loose arrays. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a segment of the reovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene was performed on RNA extracted from tissues of all 5 snakes. PCR amplification of samples extracted from the snake with hepatic lesions resulted in a 109–base pair (bp) product. Phylogenetic analyses indicated the virus was a novel strain distinct from other reoviruses at a level consistent with species difference. The source of infection was unknown. PCR amplification of samples extracted from the other 4 snakes was negative.

Three Francois' langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi)were found dead, without previous clinical signs, over a 48-hour period at a zoological institution after transfer to a new exhibit. A hybrid yew shrub (Taxus baccata× T. cuspidata)was found in close proximity to the exhibit perimeter fence. Despite clinical suspicion of yew intoxication, thin-layer chromatography performed on gastric contents was negative. However, microscopic examination of gastric contents revealed multiple yew fragments, and taxine alkaloids were detected by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of the gastric contents to confirm yew intoxication. Acute death of the animals prevented treatment. The fourth langur in the collection survived, most likely because of its low rank in the troop's hierarchy, with a suspected small amount or none of the plant ingested. To the authors' knowledge, this case report is the first yew intoxication documented in a nonhuman primate species. Taxusspp. intoxication is an often fatal condition reported in domestic animals and humans. In comparison with these species, mortality appeared delayed in the Francois' langurs, most likely because of their unique gastrointestinal anatomy, with both foregut and colonic fermentation. Plant intoxication should be a differential diagnosis when multiple acute deaths are observed after recent introduction to a new enclosure.

Nanoparticle-encapsulated thiazole antibiotic, thiostrepton, has been shown to be an effective agent for inhibiting tumor growth in solid tumor models through the inhibition of proteasomal activity by the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. Here, we show the efficacy of thiostrepton-micelles in inhibiting tumor growth in a DEN/PB-induced liver cancer model. We also demonstrate an enhanced anticancer effect of the combination treatment of thiostrepton with bortezomib, another proteasome inhibitor in this liver cancer model.

This report documents a case of spontaneous, fatal, and likely recrudescent human herpesvirus type 1 (HHV-1) infection in a captive white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar) confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). An approximately 44-year-old, captive, female, white-handed gibbon with a history of recurrent conjunctivitis and occasional seizures became acutely weak, disoriented, and ataxic. A postictal state was suspected by caretakers and veterinary staff, and euthanasia was ultimately elected because of lack of clinical improvement with supportive care. No significant abnormalities were detected at necropsy. Histologically, sections of cerebrum and midbrain contained minimal to mild, multifocal lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis with numerous intranuclear viral inclusions within astrocytes and some neurons. The presumptive diagnosis of HHV-1–induced encephalitis was strengthened by nested PCR amplification of a segment of the herpesvirus DNA polymerase gene. Sequences from this region have been found to be unique to each herpesvirus species, thus identifying HHV-1 as the likely etiologic agent in this case. Positive HHV-1 serology from several years before the terminal episode suggested that the disease was most likely due to recrudescence of latent HHV-1 infection.

A 5-month-old Angus heifer with a history of acute hindlimb paresis that quickly progressed to lateral recumbency was necropsied. Gross lesions included a 6-cm segment of gray to brown discoloration and softening of the right ventrolateral spinal cord between T2 and T3. Microscopically, there was liquefactive necrosis of ventrolateral white and gray matter, and multiple intravascular emboli partially or completely occluded many intralesional and adjacent spinal and meningeal arteries and veins. Emboli were alcian blue positive, consistent with fibrocartilage of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disk. No gross abnormalities were detected in the vertebrae or intervertebral disks. Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy appears to be very rare in cattle; however, it should be considered in cases of acute, nonprogressive spinal cord dysfunction.