A case report of septicemia due to Aeromonas hydrophila in angel fish (Pterophyllum scalare) in an ornamental fish supply center in Urmia, Iran

Objective: To identify cause of death of angel fish (Pterophyllum scalare) with clinical sign of eye soreness, haemorrhagia in gills, immobility and anorexia in an ornamental fish supply center in Urmia, Iran. Method & Materials: Following heavy loss of angel fish in an ornamental fish supply center 20 fish were transformed to bacteriology laboratory of Veterinary Faculty of Urmia University. The fish underwent necropsy under aseptic conditions. Then bacterial cultures were performed on standard media in aerobic and anaerobic conditions for 48-72 h in 25°C from internal organs. For histopathological investigations tissue samples from different organs were taken and fixated in 10% formalin. They were stained using Hematoxylin-eosin method. Results & Conclusion: At necropsy ascites fluid in body cavity and haemorrhagia on surface of liver, kidney and spleen were seen. Bacterial growth was seen after 48-72 h incubation. The bacteria were identified as Aeromonas hydrophila using gram staining and differential biochemical tests. Histopathological evaluations showed severe congestion in choroid of eyes and suppurative inflammation in muscles along with myolosis. Haemosidrine bearing melanomachrophage was aggregated in spleen. Liver tissue has undergone severe fatty degeneration. In renal tissue suppurative nephritis was evident. However, the greater ventral ducts didn’t show inflammatory process. Hence, the causative agent entered kidney via blood. It was indicated that there was bacterial septicemia.