THE ANATOMIC AND IMMUNOLOGIC FUNCTION OF THE PISCINE HEART AND ITS ROLE IN DIAGNOSIS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE

摘要

Diagnosticians (aquarists, prosectors, veterinarians, pathologists) understand that collection and histopathologic examination of the heart is an essential component of a complete post mortem examination. Many diagnosticians do not appreciate the anatomic and functional differences within the heart and the potential impact that examination of these varying sites may have on ones ability to make a diagnosis of infectious disease. The fish heart is generally considered to be a two chambered system, however there are actually four distinct components: the sinus venosus, the atrium, the ventricle, and the bulbus arteriosus. The sinus venosus is difficult to identify and is rarely of any diagnostic significance. The ventricle is anatomically and functionally similar to the ventricle in other species and may be a target for degenerative, toxic or infectious diseases. Due to its size and prominence, the ventricle is a commonly sampled/examined component of the heart.