Ulcerative dermatitis consistent with thraustochytrid infection in 3 captive north pacific big eye octopuses ( Octopus californicus )

Abstract

Ulcerative dermatitis is common in captive cephalopods and often results from trauma to their delicate epidermis with subsequent infection by opportunistic pathogens. We report 3 cases of fatal ulcerative dermatitis caused by a rare pathogen in a cohort of captive, adult, north Pacific big eye octopuses (Octopus californicus). Abundant, 5 to 8 µm diameter, roughly spherical organisms, often located in pairs or clusters, were infiltrating the ulcers in all 3 cases. Ultrastructurally, the organisms possessed multilamellated to scaley cell walls and were surrounded by empty, irregularly ovoid, 1 μm diameter, membrane-bound structures consistent with an ectoplasmic net. These features are consistent with thraustochytrid, a marine saprophyte. Previous reports of pathogenic thraustochytrid infections in cephalopods are rare, suggesting this is an uncommon albeit serious infection in captive cephalopod populations.