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Journal of fish diseases
Mar 19, 2025; e14115.

Malignant Mixed Irido-Melanophoroma in a Betta splendens with Concurrent Mycobacterium chelonae Isolation-A Case Report.

Zi An Yu, Lorraine A Corriveau, Joanne B Messick
Author Information
  1. Zi An Yu: Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. ORCID
  2. Lorraine A Corriveau: Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
  3. Joanne B Messick: Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
PMID: 40105498 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.14115

Abstract

A 10-month-old intact male blue Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) was presented to the Purdue University Small Animal Hospital with multiple bilateral masses on the caudal flank. Comprehensive evaluation using impression cytology, histopathology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed a tumour composed of a mixed-cell population of iridophores and melanophores, consistent with a mixed-cell irido-melanophoroma. The tumour exhibited clinical and cytohistological characteristics of malignancy, including rapid enlargement, cellular and nuclear atypia, tissue invasion and tumour emboli formation. Interestingly, mild mononuclear inflammation was observed, and mycobacterial culture isolated an acid-fast-positive bacterium identified as Mycobacterium chelonae through Sanger sequencing of rpoB and 16S rRNA, combined with Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis. This is the first case report of a malignant piscine chromatophoroma with concurrent inflammation and isolation of Mycobacterium, highlighting the need for further studies to investigate a potential association.

Keywords

Siamese fighting fish cytology histopathology malignant pigment cell tumour transmission electron microscopy

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Grants

  1. /the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine
Journal Article

Word Cloud

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