case_images: PMC10570618_01
case_images: Timeline of events.
case_images: fvets-10-1258522-g0001.jpg
case_images: PMC10570618_01_fvets-10-1258522-g0001.jpg
case_images: F1
case_images: Upon admission, the animal was measured (curved carapace length of 68 cm and curved carapace width of 59.5 cm) and weighed (30.26 kg; Figure 1). Sample swabs from the eyes were sent to the Bacteriology and Mycology Lab at Kimron Veterinary Institute to assess for the presence of aerobic bacteria and Mycoplasma, with ultimately negative results (Figure 1). Chloramphenicol 5% eye ointment (Synthomycine ) was administered to both eyes to prevent secondary infection (Figure 1).
case_images: Green sea turtle with phthisis bulbi (complete degeneration) due to chronic inflammation caused by Learedius learedi infection. (A) Right eye, (B) left eye. The red arrow shows a shrunken and opaque cornea and thickened sclera.
case_images: fvets-10-1258522-g0002.jpg
case_images: PMC10570618_01_fvets-10-1258522-g0002.jpg
case_images: F2
case_images: A physical examination showed bilateral phthisis bulbi, which is an end-stage ocular disorder characterized by the shrinkage and disorganization of the eye, ultimately leading to the malfunction of the affected organ (Figure 2).
case_images: Ocular lesions caused by L. learedi eggs in Chelonia mydas HE stain. (A) Ciliary body of the eye 10X. The blue arrows indicate giant cells surrounding the fluke eggs. The blue line demarcates the coalescing granulomas. The green arrows indicate the embryonated fluke eggs. (B) Rupture of the lens of the eye 10X. The blue arrows indicate giant cells (in phagocytosis of protein), P shows the protein from the ruptured lens, and the black arrows are evidence of the ruptured lens (fibers). (C) Optic nerve (10X). Green arrows indicate the embryonated fluke eggs; black arrows show the fluke eggs (these eggs are not surrounded by macrophages), and the blue arrows indicate macrophages in the phagocytosis of hemosiderin in perivascular areas.
case_images: fvets-10-1258522-g0003.jpg
case_images: PMC10570618_01_fvets-10-1258522-g0003.jpg
case_images: F3
case_images: The eggs were surrounded by macrophages and numerous multinucleated giant cells, forming granulomas scattered along the ciliary body and the margin of the eye (Figure 3A). In the left eye, there was an apparent rupture of the lens with abundant proteinaceous material surrounded by multinucleated giant cells (Figure 3B). Clusters of eggs surrounded by multinucleated giant cells and numerous capillaries were interspersed within the nerve tissue of one evaluated optic nerve (Figure 3C).
case_images: Organ lesions caused by spirorchiid trematodes in Chelonia mydas HE stain. (A) Lungs 4x. The red arrow indicates the adult fluke in a blood vessel. (B) Spleen 10x. The blue arrows indicate giant cells surrounding the fluke eggs; the blue line demarcates the granulomas; the green arrows indicate the embryonated fluke eggs; and the black arrows indicate the fluke eggs. (C) Myocardium 10x. The blue arrow indicates a giant cell enveloping the fluke eggs; the blue line demarcates the granuloma; the green arrows indicate the embryonated fluke eggs; and the black arrow indicates the fluke eggs.
case_images: fvets-10-1258522-g0004.jpg
case_images: PMC10570618_01_fvets-10-1258522-g0004.jpg
case_images: F4
case_images: Lodged in the lumen of a large pulmonary vein was a large adult trematode (fluke), which was approximately 1 mm long and 0.3 mm wide (Figure 4A). Multiple granulomas containing trematode eggs were scattered in the spleen (Figure 4B). Fewer granulomas were observed in the myocardium (Figure 4C) and in the interpedicular septae of the lungs.