Cytologic diagnosis of disease in amphibians.
Cytology is an inexpensive yet powerful diagnostic tool that allows for rapid diagnosis of many common disease conditions in amphibian patients. Although the emphasis of this article is on infectious diseases, there is great potential for application of cytologic diagnosis to variety of medical conditions as the knowledge base in amphibian medicine and pathology continues to grow. Routine methods used that may fall under the umbrella of cytology range from wet mount examination of skin scrapings (or gill biopsies of larvae) to examination of stained impression smears. Routine Romanowsky's-type stains work well for amphibian samples. Preparation of multiple smears is always recommended to allow for use of special staining procedures.
Pessier
Allan P
AP
Wildlife Disease Laboratories, Conservation and Research for Endangered Species, Zoological Society of San Diego, PO Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112-0551, USA. apessier@sandiegozoo.org
D000663:Amphibians / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000166:cytology; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*