An unusual mortality event in Johnstone River snapping turtles Elseya irwini (Johnstone) in Far North Queensland, Australia.

BACKGROUND: An unusual mortality event in Johnstone River snapping turtles (Elseya irwini) in Far North Queensland, Australia, occurred during the summer months of December 2014 and January 2015. We report the data collected during the mortality event, including counts of sick and dead animals, clinical appearance and one necropsy. OUTBREAK DESCRIPTION: Moribund animals appeared lethargic with variable degrees of necrotising dermatitis. Postmortem investigation of one freshly dead animal revealed bacterial and fungal involvement in the skin lesions as well as multifocal fibrinous hepatitis and splenitis and necrotising enteritis with vascular thrombosis. Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from liver, spleen and skin lesions. All samples tested negative for ranavirus, and water and soil testing for environmental contaminants were negative. All affected E. irwini either died or were euthanased and no other species of animals in the river were affected. CONCLUSION: Aeromonas hydrophila is ubiquitous in the freshwater environment and although it caused septicaemia in the one individual that was submitted for laboratory diagnosis, the primary aetiology of the outbreak may not have been identified.

Pathology of cutaneous trombidiosis caused by larval trombiculid mites in a wild Lesueur's tree frog (Litoria wilcoxii).

Cutaneous trombidiosis caused by larvae of trombiculid mites (Vercammenia gloriosa and V. zweifelorum) in the skin of a wild tree frog, Litoria wilcoxii, in northern Queensland, Australia manifested as small, domed vesicular lesions on the dorsal and lateral surfaces posterior to the eyes. The lesions contained small, orange trombiculid mites, with a surrounding minimal inflammatory reaction. The general health and behaviour of the frog appeared unaffected. Provisional diagnosis of cutaneous trombidiosis can be made from its distinctive clinical appearance and confirmed by biopsy with direct microscopic examination of mites. This case report represents a new host record.

Recurrence of pulsus alternans after fentanyl injection in a patient with aortic stenosis and congestive heart failure.

Following aortic valve replacement in a patient with aortic stenosis and cardiac failure, marked pulsus alternans recurred immediately after intravenous injection of 0.5 mg fentanyl, without concomitant changes in heart rate, mean left atrial pressure, or the electrocardiogram. Pulsus alternans is known to occur in association with heart failure and aortic stenosis, but has not been reported previously in response to anaesthetic drugs. Mechanisms of pulsus alternans are discussed, and the possible contributory role of fentanyl is considered.