Diagnostic Techniques and Sample Handling

Invertebrates

“…These compounds can be slowly added to the water until the desired effects (e.g., loss of locomotion and righting refl ex) are achieved. 19 The actual amount of anesthetic needed will vary according to the conditions of the situation and the species being anesthetized.…”

“…Media that have been used with success for isolating invertebrate pathogens include marine brain-heart infusion broth and agar, blood agar, MacConkey's agar, special sea-salt agars for marine species, and Sauboraud's dextrose agar for fungal cultures. 19 Determining the signifi cance of the organisms isolated from clinical samples can be diffi cult. Knowledge of "normal" fl ora versus "abnormal" fl ora is important.…”

“…Often, sampling from affected and unaffected sites can yield useful comparisons. 19 Swabs and scrapes of animal surfaces can also be taken for cytological examination. A wet mount of the sample can be made for direct microscopic examination.…”

“…Wet mounts should be prepared with sterile saline or water, depending on the animal's environment. 19 Such slides can also be allowed to dry and stained with a variety of diagnostic stains (e.g., DiffQuik, Gram stain, acid-fast stain) for further microscopic examination. 19 Diagnosing parasitic infections in invertebrates is also diffi cult due to a lack of research.…”

“…19 Such slides can also be allowed to dry and stained with a variety of diagnostic stains (e.g., DiffQuik, Gram stain, acid-fast stain) for further microscopic examination. 19 Diagnosing parasitic infections in invertebrates is also diffi cult due to a lack of research. Parasitic, commensal, and symbiotic relationships among invertebrates are not always easy to separate.…”