{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,26]],"date-time":"2026-06-26T01:19:40Z","timestamp":1782436780072,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"23","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2022,11,23]],"date-time":"2022-11-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1669161600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities","award":["INDI 21-11"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["INDI 21-11"]}]},{"name":"Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities","award":["IDOC21-05"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["IDOC21-05"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Mycobacteriosis is an important disease that affects captive and wild aquatic fish. Syngnathids are susceptible to infection by non-tuberculous mycobacteria. The aim of this study was to describe clinical signs, and macroscopic and histological lesions in 25 syngnathids and the molecular characterization of the causative mycobacteria. Clinical presentation ranged from sudden death to non-specific signs, including anorexia, poor body condition, weight loss and marked dyspnea with increased respiratory effort and rate. Gross lesions were mostly ulcers on the tail and small white nodules in the liver, coelomic cavity and inside the eye. The most affected organs were gills, liver, intestine and coelomic mesentery. Microscopic lesions consisted of areas of multifocal to diffuse granulomatous inflammation and bacterial emboli with numerous intralesional acid-fast bacilli. Epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells, lymphocytes and fibrous connective tissue, which are commonly observed in granulomatous inflammation, were not observed here. In the real-time PCR, M. fortuitum, M. chelonae and M. marinum common primers, Mycobacterium spp. were detected in 4, 7 and 14 individuals, respectively. In addition, this is the first description of mycobacteriosis found in Syngnathus acus.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani12233259","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,11,24]],"date-time":"2022-11-24T02:25:36Z","timestamp":1669256736000},"page":"3259","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Clinical and Pathological Findings Associated with Mycobacteriosis in Captive Syngnathids"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6510-8480","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Estefan\u00eda","family":"Montero","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Pathology Group, PASAPTA, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C\/Tirant lo Blanc 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9926-1152","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Carlos","family":"Rojo-Sol\u00eds","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Veterinary and Laboratory Service, Oceanogr\u00e0fic, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, C\/Eduardo Primo Y\u00fafera (Cientific) 1B, 46013 Valencia, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Noelia","family":"de Castro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Veterinary Services, Aquarium Finisterrae, Paseo Mar\u00edtimo Alcalde Francisco V\u00e1zquez 34, 15002 La Coru\u00f1a, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4690-7770","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Miguel","family":"Fern\u00e1ndez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganader\u00eda de Monta\u00f1a (CSIC-ULE), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Le\u00f3n, 24071 Le\u00f3n, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Valent\u00edn","family":"P\u00e9rez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganader\u00eda de Monta\u00f1a (CSIC-ULE), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Le\u00f3n, 24071 Le\u00f3n, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2690-3828","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Juan M.","family":"Corpa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pathology Group, PASAPTA, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C\/Tirant lo Blanc 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3934-6642","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Joaqu\u00edn","family":"Ortega","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pathology Group, PASAPTA, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C\/Tirant lo Blanc 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,11,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"119","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2761.2008.01016.x","article-title":"Review of mycobacteriosis in marine fish","volume":"32","author":"Jacobs","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Fish Dis."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1368","DOI":"10.3390\/microorganisms8091368","article-title":"Mycobacteriosis and Infections with Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria in Aquatic Organisms: A Review","volume":"8","author":"Reza","year":"2020","journal-title":"Microorganisms"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1681","DOI":"10.1111\/jfd.12634","article-title":"Pathologic features of mycobacteriosis in naturally infected Syngnathidae and novel transcriptome assembly in association with disease","volume":"40","author":"Fogelson","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Fish Dis."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"33","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tvjl.2008.05.012","article-title":"Mycobacteriosis in fishes: A review","volume":"180","author":"Gauthier","year":"2009","journal-title":"Vet J."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"153","DOI":"10.1111\/jfd.12666","article-title":"Detection of Mycobacterium marinum, M. peregrinum, M. fortuitum and M. abscessus in aquarium fish","volume":"41","author":"Puk","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Fish Dis."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"383","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2761.2006.00729.x","article-title":"Distribution of mycobacteria in clinically healthy ornamental fish and their aquarium environment","volume":"29","author":"Beran","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Fish Dis."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1770","DOI":"10.3201\/eid1709.101289","article-title":"Novel mycobacterium species in seahorses with tail rot","volume":"17","author":"Planas","year":"2011","journal-title":"Emerg. Infect. Dis."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mugetti, D., Tomasoni, M., Pastorino, P., Esposito, G., Menconi, V., Dondo, A., and Prearo, M. (2021). Gene Sequencing and Phylogenetic Analysis: Powerful Tools for an Improved Diagnosis of Fish Mycobacteriosis Caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum Group Members. Microorganisms, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/microorganisms9040797"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"591","DOI":"10.1111\/jfd.12145","article-title":"Lesional patterns associated with mycobacteriosis in an Atlantic horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus (L.), aquarium population","volume":"37","author":"Ortega","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Fish Dis."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Stockton, J., and Torres, A. (2020). Multinucleated Giant Cell Formation as a Portal to Chronic Bacterial Infections. Microorganisms, 8.","DOI":"10.20944\/preprints202009.0471.v1"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"439","DOI":"10.1111\/jfd.12254","article-title":"Diseases of captive yellow seahorse Hippocampus kuda Bleeker, pot-bellied seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis Lesson and weedy seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Lac\u00e9p\u00e8de)","volume":"38","author":"LePage","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Fish Dis."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"368","DOI":"10.1177\/0300985813482337","article-title":"Pathologic Findings in Weedy (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) and Leafy (Phycodurus eques) Seadragons","volume":"50","author":"Bonar","year":"2013","journal-title":"Vet. Pathol."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"154","DOI":"10.1002\/aqc.2493","article-title":"Opportunities and challenges for analysis of wildlife trade using CITES data-seahorses as a case study","volume":"26","author":"Foster","year":"2016","journal-title":"Aquat. Conserv."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"75","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aquaculture.2018.02.029","article-title":"The influence of diet on the early development of two seahorse species (H. guttulatus and H. reidi): Traditional and innovative approaches","volume":"490","author":"Randazzo","year":"2018","journal-title":"Aquaculture"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1111\/j.0022-1112.2004.00429.x","article-title":"Life history and ecology of seahorses: Implications for conservation and management","volume":"65","author":"Foster","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Fish Biol."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1951","DOI":"10.1007\/s10531-011-0068-2","article-title":"Fisheries, and trade of seahorses in Brazil: Historical perspective, current trends, and future directions","volume":"20","author":"Rosa","year":"2011","journal-title":"Biodivers. Conserv."},{"key":"ref_17","unstructured":"International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (2022, May 23). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. Available online: www.redlist.org."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"131","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aquaculture.2009.11.010","article-title":"A global review of seahorse aquaculture","volume":"302","author":"Koldewey","year":"2010","journal-title":"Aquaculture"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"177","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aquatox.2011.01.011","article-title":"Multistressor interactions in the zebrafish (Danio rerio): Concurrent phenanthrene exposure and Mycobacterium marinum infection","volume":"102","author":"Prosser","year":"2011","journal-title":"Aquat. Toxicol."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3696","DOI":"10.1099\/ijsem.0.002978","article-title":"Mycobacterium syngnathidarum sp. nov., a rapidly growing mycobacterium identified in syngnathid fish","volume":"68","author":"Fogelson","year":"2018","journal-title":"Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"379","DOI":"10.1016\/S0378-1135(00)00323-0","article-title":"Use of a PCR method on fecal samples for diagnosis of sheep paratuberculosis","volume":"77","author":"Garrido","year":"2000","journal-title":"Vet. Microbiol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"333","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mimet.2005.05.009","article-title":"Identification of members of Mycobacterium avium species by Accu-Probes, serotyping, and single IS900, IS901, IS1245 and IS901-flanking region PCR with internal standards","volume":"64","author":"Bartos","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Microbiol. Methods"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Parikka, M., Hammar\u00e9n, M., Harjula, S.-K., Halfpenny, N., Oksanen, K., Lahtinen, M., Pajula, E., Iivanainen, A., Pesu, M., and R\u00e4met, M. (2012). Mycobacterium marinum causes a latent infection that can be reactivated by gamma irradiation in adult zebrafish. PLoS Pathog., 8.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.ppat.1002944"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7837","DOI":"10.1128\/AEM.00822-13","article-title":"Rapid detection and identification of nontuberculous mycobacterial pathogens in fish by using high-resolution melting analysis","volume":"79","author":"Phung","year":"2013","journal-title":"Appl. Environ. Microbiol."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"235","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jfms.2003.09.003","article-title":"PCR studies of feline leprosy cases","volume":"6","author":"Hughes","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Feline Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"493","DOI":"10.1007\/s00284-012-0188-2","article-title":"Rapid and accurate identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and common non-tuberculous mycobacteria by multiplex real-time PCR targeting different housekeeping genes","volume":"65","author":"Esfahani","year":"2012","journal-title":"Curr. Microbiol."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"947","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2761.2010.01202.x","article-title":"Morphology and distribution of granulomatous inflammation in freshwater ornamental fish infected with mycobacteria","volume":"33","author":"Novotny","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Fish Dis."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e22184","DOI":"10.1002\/jcla.22184","article-title":"Identification of nontuberculous mycobacteria using multilocous sequence analysis of 16S rRNA, hsp65, and rpoB","volume":"32","author":"Kim","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Clin. Lab. Anal."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e220031","DOI":"10.1590\/0074-02760220031","article-title":"Detection of non-tuberculosus mycobacteria (NTMs) in lung samples using 16S rRNA","volume":"117","author":"Morais","year":"2022","journal-title":"Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"400","DOI":"10.1638\/02-050","article-title":"Atypical presentation of mycobacteriosis in a collection of frogfish (Antennarius striatus)","volume":"34","author":"Yanong","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Zoo Wildl. Med."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gcebe, N., Michel, A.L., and Hlokwe, T.M. (2018). Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium species causing mycobacteriosis in farmed aquatic animals of South Africa. BMC Microbiol., 18.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12866-018-1177-9"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1016\/j.prp.2004.09.011","article-title":"Improved detection of mycobacterial DNA by PCR in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues using thin sections","volume":"201","author":"Loeschke","year":"2005","journal-title":"Pathol. Res. Pract."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"321","DOI":"10.1590\/S0036-46652008000600002","article-title":"Effects of tissue handling and processing steps on PCR for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples","volume":"50","author":"Barcelos","year":"2008","journal-title":"Rev. Inst. Med. Trop. Sao Paulo"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pavlik, I., Ulmann, V., and Falkinham, J.O. (2022). Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: Ecology and Impact on Animal and Human Health. Microorganisms, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/microorganisms10081516"}],"container-title":["Animals"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/12\/23\/3259\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T01:25:21Z","timestamp":1760145921000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/12\/23\/3259"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2022,11,23]]},"references-count":34,"journal-issue":{"issue":"23","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,12]]}},"alternative-id":["ani12233259"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani12233259","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-2615"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-2615","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2022,11,23]]}}}