Abstract
Five cases of young ferrets infected with Aeromonas species were observed pathologically. Macroscopic observations revealed irregular-shaped white hepatic foci, and hemorrhage and ulceration in the stomach in almost all cases. Microscopically focal necroses were detected in such organs as the liver, spleen, lung, heart, lymph node and adrenal gland. Particularly conspicuous were the hepatic lesions showing necrobiosis and coagulation necrosis of liver cells and the presence of numerous organisms in the sinusoids. Although the activation of Kupffer cells was remarkable, other inflammatory cells such as leucocytes and mononuclear cells were hardly seen. From these findings, it was suggested that focal hepatic necrosis was characteristic of Aeromonas infection in the ferret.
