Histopathology of culture-associated skin erosions and papillary hyperplasia of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.)

Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.), that were cultured in tanks with a smooth bottom (gel‐coated fibreglass) substrate developed papillary hyperplasia and skin erosions on the blind (ventral) side. No viruses, bacteria or parasites were observed in any sections of affected skin. Comparison of microscopic pathology with that of skin from normal, wild‐caught halibut showed severe epidermal proliferation with foci of severe mucous cell hyperplasia. Both epidermal thickness and mucous cell density were significantly greater in fish held on a smooth substrate compared to skin of healthy fish. Spongiosis was present, especially at the base of the papillary, hyperplastic epidermis, and there was a chronic inflammatory infiltrate in the scale pockets composed of lymphocytes, histiocytes and erythrocytes. Skin erosions had various degrees of epidermal loss, in some cases to the basement membrane. A predisposing factor for the epidermal sloughing may have been related to the spongiosis, and the vacuolated, degenerated basal cells. When affected halibut were cultured for an additional 28, 62 or 97 days on a sand substrate, which is conducive to skin lesion healing, there was no apparent change in epidermal thickness over time. However, mucous cell density significantly increased from day 0 to 97 during the healing process.