Aspetti anatomopatologici, istologici e microbiologici della Shell Disease Syndrome in cinque differenti specie di crostacei decapodi.

In this study anatomical and pathological lesions, supported by microbiological examination, are described in five species of reared (Melicerthus kerathurus, Paromola cuvieri, Palinurus elephas) and captive (Nephrops norvegicus and Carcinus aestuarii) decapods crustaceans affected by Shell Disease Syndrome. Grossly, at limb and exoskeletal level, erosions and ulcers variably in size and colour (brown to black), were visible. Such lesions, ranged from small to locally extensive, could be lost with moult shell or lead to the death of the animal. Histologically the lesions ranged from a mild epicuticle and the calcified endocuticle erosion, to a more extensive and severe loss of the endocuticle and epidermis, with pseudomembrane formation and intense hemocytes infiltration. Microbiological examination was performed on two crustacean species only, (P. elephas and C. aestuarii); in the last one, hemolymph assay, showed different strains of Vibrio genus.