Charles Innis

Publications of Charles Innis

• Hematologic values of captive Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus).

  Authors: Charles Innis, Deborah Davis, John Mandelman, Pilar Gibson, Kathryn Charron, Ilke Schumacher, William Murphy, Scott E Weber

  Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. 09/2010; 41(3):432-7.

  The Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus) is a popular display animal in public aquaria and an important fisheries resource, but hematologic values for this species have not been reported. This studyThe Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus) is a popular display animal in public aquaria and an important fisheries resource, but hematologic values for this species have not been reported. This study investigated hematocrit, leucocyte counts, and leucocyte differential counts for 29 captive Acadian redfish collected in 2006 and 2008. All fish were judged to be in good health based on behavior, appetite, physical examination, skin cytology, and gill biopsy. Fish were anesthetized with tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) for blood collection from the ventral coccygeal vasculature. In 2008, MS-222 was buffered with sodium bicarbonate. Hematocrit values ranged from 27% to 45% (mean = 33% in 2006, mean = 31% in 2008). Leucocyte counts ranged from 670 to 35,000 cells/microl (mean = 6430 cells/microl in 2006, and 13,130 cells/microl in 2008). Lymphocytes were the most numerous of the leucocytes, followed by neutrophils and monocytes. Eosinophils and basophils were not seen. Fish weights were significantly greater in 2006, whereas total leucocyte counts, lymphocyte counts, and monocyte counts were significantly greater in 2008. Differences in leucogram values between the two groups may have been due to differences in size, age, anesthetic method, or other undetected factors. This is the first report of leucogram values for a species of the family Scorpaenidae. In general, values were similar to those of other teleosts, in which leucocyte counts can be quite variable.

• Pathologic and parasitologic findings of cold-stunned kemp's ridley sea turtles (lepidochelys kempii) stranded on cape cod, massachusetts, 2001-2006.

  Authors: Charles Innis, Akinyi C Nyaoke, C Rogers Williams, Bridget Dunnigan, Constance Merigo, Denise L Woodward, E Scott Weber, Salvatore Frasca

  Journal of wildlife diseases. 08/2009; 45(3):594-610.

  Necropsy reports for 28 stranded, cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) that died between 2001 and 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Gross and microscopic lesions wereNecropsy reports for 28 stranded, cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) that died between 2001 and 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Gross and microscopic lesions were compiled to describe the pathologic and parasitologic findings in turtles that were found freshly dead on the beach or that died within 48 hr of stranding. Anatomic lesions of varying severity were identified in each of the examined turtles and were identified in tissues of the alimentary, respiratory, integumentary, nervous and sensory, and urogenital systems in order of decreasing frequency. Necrotizing enterocolitis and bacterial or fungal pneumonia were the most frequently encountered lesions that were considered clinically significant. Parasites and parasitic lesions were identified primarily in tissues of the alimentary system and included intestinal cestodiasis and parasitic granulomas containing larval cestodes or nematodes. Postlarval cestodes were also found in the coelom of two turtles. In many cases, the extent and severity of lesions were judged to be insufficient to have solely caused mortality, suggesting that additional factors such as metabolic, respiratory, and electrolyte derangements; hypothermia; and drowning may be important proximate causes of death in cold-stunned turtles. Results of this study provide insight into pathologic conditions that may be of clinical relevance to rehabilitation efforts for cold-stunned sea turtles.

• Disseminated phaeohyphomycosis in weedy seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) and leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) caused by species of Exophiala, including a novel species.

  Authors: Akinyi Nyaoke, E Scott Weber, Charles Innis, Donald Stremme, Cynthia Dowd, Lynn Hinckley, Timothy Gorton, Brian Wickes, Deanna Sutton, Sybren de Hoog, Salvatore Frasca

  Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc. 02/2009; 21(1):69-79.

  During the period from January 2002 to March 2007, infections by melanized fungi were identified with greater frequency in aquarium-maintained leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) and weedy seadragonsDuring the period from January 2002 to March 2007, infections by melanized fungi were identified with greater frequency in aquarium-maintained leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) and weedy seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus), pivotal species to the educational and environmental concerns of the aquarium industry and conservation groups. The objective of this study was to characterize the pathology and identify fungi associated with phaeohyphomycotic lesions in these species. Samples from 14 weedy and 6 leafy seadragons were received from 2 institutions and included fresh, frozen, and formalin-fixed tissues from necropsy and biopsy specimens. Fresh and frozen tissues were cultured for fungi on Sabouraud dextrose agar only or both Sabouraud dextrose agar and inhibitory mold agar with gentamicin and chloramphenicol at 30 degrees C. Isolates were processed for morphologic identification and molecular sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region and D1/D2 domains of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Lesions were extensive and consisted of parenchymal and vascular necrosis with fungal invasion of gill (11/20), kidney (14/20), and other coelomic viscera with or without cutaneous ulceration (13/20). Exophiala sp. isolates were obtained from 4 weedy and 3 leafy seadragons and were identified to species level in 6 of 7 instances, namely Exophiala angulospora (1) and a novel species of Exophiala (5), based on nucleotide sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analyses. Disseminated phaeohyphomycosis represents an important pathologic condition of both weedy and leafy seadragons for which 2 species of Exophiala, 1 a novel species, have been isolated.

• Piscine patients: basic diagnostics.

  Authors: E Scott Weber, Charles Innis

  Compendium (Yardley, PA). 06/2007; 29(5):276-7, 280, 282-6; quiz 286, 288.

  This article can serve as an introduction for practitioners who are interested in adding fish to their practice. It reviews the current literature, includes contributions from institutionalThis article can serve as an introduction for practitioners who are interested in adding fish to their practice. It reviews the current literature, includes contributions from institutional collaborators, and draws on clinical expertise from diverse cases and applied research from the Animal Health Department at the New England Aquarium. Basic diagnostic approaches to piscine patients are featured. We hope to inspire other veterinary professionals to pursue diagnostics, perform surgery, and practice preventive medicine in aquatic animal patients.

• Scintigraphic and radiographic evaluation of appendicular skeletal lesions in cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles.

  Authors: Mauricio Solano, Charles Innis, Cynthia Smith, Constance Merigo, Ernest Scott Weber

  Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association. 49(4):388-94.

  Osteolytic appendicular skeletal lesions in eight-stranded, cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) were evaluated using radiography and skeletal scintigraphy. RadiographicOsteolytic appendicular skeletal lesions in eight-stranded, cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) were evaluated using radiography and skeletal scintigraphy. Radiographic studies were performed monthly in most animals. Follow-up scintigraphy was performed 45-120 days after the initial exams in six turtles. Radiographically, lesions slowly progressed from an early osteolytic process contained to either the proximal or distal end of long bones, to a later stage characterized by thickening of the affected bone, sclerosis, and remodeling of the lesion borders. In seven turtles, the initial scintigrams were characterized by at least one focus of abnormal radiopharmaceutical uptake that correlated with a lytic site noted in radiographs. In five turtles, scintigraphic lesions were characterized by asymmetric radiopharmaceutical uptake rather than by increased intensity of uptake. Scintigraphic studies obtained more than 4 months after the appearance of clinical and radiographic signs had minimal, if any, abnormal radiopharmaceutical uptake, despite the persistence of abnormal radiographic findings. Skeletal scintigraphy is an effective method for more precisely determining if and when these animals can be returned to the wild. Animals were released if normal radiopharmaceutical uptake was seen during initial examination, or if decreased uptake was noted between serial examinations. In four of the turtles, resolution of abnormal scintigraphic findings permitted an objective decision to discontinue antibiotic and antifungal therapy. Seven of the eight turtles were released after correlation of the clinical signs with the imaging findings. Radiographs, however, are still needed to facilitate the correct identification of lesions with scintigraphy.