Koi Health Glossary
A glossary of medical terms related to koi health by Harold Biggio/Kenneth Lau
abcess
Localized collection of pus in any part of the body which is the result of the disintegration or displacement of tissue and is frequently associated with swelling and other signs of inflammation. Abscesses are usually produced by microorganisms. See also: pus, tissue
abrasion
Scraping away of the outer layers of the skin or of a mucous membrane usually as a result of injury. See also: mucous membrane
acute
Clincal sign of a disease that has rapid onset, severe symptoms and a short course. Opposite of chronic. See also: clinical, disease, symptom,
adenoma
An often benign neoplasm of epithelial tissue where the tumor cells form gland-like structures; usually well circumscribed and generally compresses rather than invade surrounding tissue.
Adenosine triphosphate
Abbrev. ATP. An adenosine-derived nucleotide, C10H16N5O13P3, that contains high-energy phosphate bonds and is used to transport energy to cells for biochemical processes
Organism that lives only in the presence of oxygen.
alkalinity
Measures the buffering capacity of water which can be thought of as the sensitivity of pH. It is measured as calcium carbonatee equivalents in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/l). While 100 ppm is considered ideal, readings from 50-200 are acceptable. Anything below 50 warns that a ph Crash is imminent.See also: parts per notation
amino acid
Abbrev: AA. Large group of organic compounds marked by the presence of both an amino (NH3) and carboxyl (COOH) group. They are the building blocks from which proteins are built and are the end products of protein digestion or hydrolysis. See also: ammonia, hydrolysis, organic, protein
ammonia
Unionized or free ammonia, NH3. An alkaline gas formed by decomposition of nitrogen-containing substances such as proteins and amino acids. Ammonia is converted into nitrogenous waste that is excreted from koi gills and also results from the decomposition of solid waste and organic material in the pond. It is the toxic component of total ammonia, which is the measurement of most ammonia test kits. As such it acts as a pollutant that is highly toxic to koi. See also: amino acid, bacterium, ionized, nitrate, nitrite, nitrogen, nitrogenous waste, organic, pollution, protein, toxic
anaerobic
Organism that lives in the absence of oxygen.
Total lack of oxygen. This word and hypoxia are often misused. See also: hypoxia
antibody
Complex glycoproteins, produced by B lymphocytes in response to an antigen. All antibodies are created by B-ells linking with a foreign antigen on the surface of an invading organism. It is an important component of the acquired immune response. See also: antigen, B cell, immune response, protein
antigen
A protein marker on the surface of cells that identifies the type of cell, stimulates the production of antibodies and cytotoxic responses. Reactions to antigens by T and B cells are part of the specific immune response. Generally refers to the vaccine or pathogen causing the reaction. See also: antibody, B cell, cell, cytotoxic, immune response, pathogenic, protein, T cell
antiseptic
A substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of disease-causing microorganisms.
the production of aquatic organisms (plant and animal) for food, aquarium, or scientific purposes, generally as a commercial venture.
Free of pathogenic microorganisms (aseptic surgical instruments) or the use of methods to protect against infection by pathogenic microorganisms (aseptic surgical techniques).
autolysis
The digestion of cells by enzymes present within them. The cells most susceptible to autolysis tend to be dead or dying cells.
autotrophic
Organisms and green plants that are self-nourishing and grow in the absense of organic compounds. Plants are photosynthetic and organisms are chemosynthetic.
B cell
Lymphoid stem cells from hemapoietic tissue that migrate to and become mature antigen-specific cells in the spleen. See also: antibody, antigen, cell, hemapoietic, insulin, spleen
bacterium
Typically these are unicellular microorganisms whose shape ranges from spheres to rods to spirals. Some are pathogenic to koi, others are beneficial, e.g. for the biological conversion of ammonia to nitrate and for the decomposition of organic matter. See also: ammonia, infection, microorganism, nitrate, organic, pathogenic, septicemia
buccal cavity
The mouth cavity.
carbonic anhydrase
Enzyme which aids carbon dioxide transport and release by catalyzing the synthesis, and the dehydration, of carbonic acid from, and to, carbon dioxide and water. Koi facilitate this reaction in the lamellar blood of the gills and are able to maximize the partial pressure gradiend of carbon dioxide between the blood and the water.
catabolism
The metabolic breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, often resulting in a release of energy. When koi catbolize protein, they enzymatically cleaino acids and then the free aminos pick a hydrogen molecule, thus forming ammonia.
cell
Mass of protoplasm containing a nucleus or nuclear material. Cells and their products make up all the tissues of the body. All the functional activities of the body are carried out by cells. Their structure and form are closely correlated with their function. See also: antigen, B cell, cytotoxic, enzyme, epithelium, exudate, gland, hyperplasia, hypertrophy, leucocyte, metabolism, mucus, tissue
chronic
Persistent disease that is progresses slowly and shows change slowly. Opposite of acute.
cilia
Microscopic hairlike process that extends from the surface of a unicellular organism and acts in unison with like structures to cause movement.
The outward appearance of a disease in a living organism based on actual observation and treatment as apposed to experimentally or pathologically. See also: acute, disease, inflammation, pathological condition
colloid
Particulate matter, finely divided and insoluble but larger than molecules that are dispersed within a pond in such a manner as to prevent them from being filtered easily or settled rapidly.
communical disease
Disease that may be transmitted directly or indirectly from one organism to another. See also: disease, quarantine
congestion
Excessive accumulation of blood or tissue fluid within an organ or peripheral blood vessel. See also: hyperemia, organ, tissue
Often used as synonymn for the glycocalyx. See also: glycocalyx
cytotoxic
Destroys cells. See also: antigen, cell
deamination
When a protein is catabolized, some amino groups (NH2) in the amino acids are removed, forming ammonia.
debride
Surgically excise dead, devitalized tissue and removal of foreign matter from a wound.
denitrification
Process by which denitrifying bacteria convert nitrate (NO3) into the gaseous form of nitrogen (N2)
detritus
Decomposing organic matter in a pond or filter. See also: organic
diffuse
To be scattered widely throughout a tissue or substance vs localized or focal. As apposed to focal. See also: focal, tissue
disease
A pathological condition that presents a group of clinical signs and symptoms that set the condition apart as abnormal and different from other normal or pathological body conditions. See also: acute, clinical, communical disease, epizootic, etiology, moribund, pathological condition, sign, symptom, zoonoses
diurnal
Something that occurs each day. Syn: daily
duct
Narrow tubular vessel or channel that conveys secretions from a gland. See also: exocrine, gland, secretion
embolism
Obstruction or occlusion of a blood vessel by a detached thrombus, air or foreign body.
endocrine
Gland that secretes directly into the bloodstream. See also: gland, pancreas
enzyme
Organic catalyst produced by living cells but capable of acting independently. They are complex proteins that induce chemical changes in other substances without being changed themselves. They are reaction-specific acting in just one way and can accelerate the speed of a chemical reaction. See also: cell, organic, protein
epidermis
The outer layer of skin. See also: epithelium
epithelium
Layer of cells forming the epidermis of the skin and the surface layer of mucous and serous membranes. The cells rest on a basement membrane and lie in close approximity to each other with little intercellular material.They may be flat (squamous), cubed (cuboidal) or cylindrical (columnar). It serves to protect and lubricate. See also: cell, epidermis, exocrine, mucous membrane, mucus, serous membrane, squamous
epizootic
Any infectuous disease that attacks many animals in the same geographical area in a short period of time. See also: disease
erythema
Macculary, diffused redness of skin.
Percipitating or primary cause of a disease. See also: disease
exocrine
Glands whose secretions reach an epithelial surface either directly or through a duct. See also: duct, epithelium, gland, pancreas, secretion
exudate
Substances which penetrate through vessel walls into adjoining tissue or into a cavity producing pus or serum. There are more cells, protein, lactic dehydrogen and solid material than in a transudate. See also: cell, inflammation, protein, pus, serum, tissue, transudate
faculative
Ability to live under more than one specific set of environmental conditions; e.g. a faculative aenerobe may live with or without oxygen.
fibrin
Whitish filamentous protein formed by the action of thrombin on fibrinogen. See also: inflammation, protein
focal
Area of concentration or immediate attention. As apposed to diffuse. See also: diffuse
furuncle
An encycted locus of baterial infection often referred to in the vernacular as a boil.
gill filament
A paired series of filaments that branch off of each gill arch. Each filament contain numerous lamellae and are often referred to as 'primary lamella'.
gill lamellae(Sing: lamella)
Each gill filament has many lamellae brancing off and is where blood/water exchange occurs. When filaments are referred to as primary lamellae, these are generally called 'secondary lamella.
gland
Organ or structure made up of an aggregation of cells that manufacture a secretion discharged to and used by some other part of the body. Glands can be: by structure -- simple or complex; by secretion -- mucous, serous or mixed; by ducts -- exocrine or endocrine; by shape -- tubular, saccular; by lumen -- alveolar, acinar; and by formation of secretions -- merocrine, apocrine, holicrine. See also: cell, duct, endocrine, exocrine, mucous membrane, organ, pancreas, secretion
glycocalyx
Slimy mucous layer of mucoplysaccharide, glycoproteins and sloughed epidermal cells. It contains enzymes (lysozymes) and antibodies (immunoglobulins) which can kill invading organisms. So it is both a mechanical and chemical barrier and is the koi's first line of defense against pathogens. See also: cuticle, slime coat
hemapoietic
Blood formation. See also: B cell
hemorrhage
Abnormal, severe internal or external discharge of blood from blood vessels.
heterotropic
Organism that obtain energy from complex organic food versus plants which synthesize food from inorganic compounds. See also: inorganic, organic
homeostsis
Maintenance of relatively stable conditions inside an organism despite a changing environment.
host
Organism from chich a parasite obtains its nourishment. See also: parasite
hydrolysis
Chemical decomposition in which a substance is split into simpler compounds by the addition of water. See also: amino acid
hyperemia
An unusual amount of blood in a tissue or part. Often a red area on skin that disappears on pressure. See also: congestion, inflammation, tissue
hyperplasia
Excessive increase in the normal number of cells in a tissue or organ. See also: cell, organ, tissue
hypertrophy
Abnormal enlargement of the individual cells of an organ or tissue that does not involve tumor formation. See also: cell, organ, tissue
hypoxia
Oxygen deficiency. This word and anoxia are often confused. See also: anoxia
immune response
Reaction of the body to eliminate foreign antigens and prevent damage. See also: antibody, antigen, inflammation
infection
Invasion and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria or virus) in tissues. Localized infection is normally accompanied by inflammation, but there can be inflammation when there is no infection present. See also: bacterium, inflammation, microorganism, pathogenic, tissue
infestation
Invasion of tissue by animal parasites (protozoa, helminths and anthropods). See also: parasite
inflammation
Non-specific immune response that occurs as a result of any type of bodily injury. In koi, the reaction of the tissues to injury characterized clinically by swelling and redness. Pathologically, by vasodilatation, hyperemia, accumulation of leucocytes, exudation of fluid and deposition of fibrin. See also: clinical, exudate, fibrin, hyperemia, immune response, infection, leucocyte, pathogenic, pus, tissue
inorganic
Chemical compounds not containing carbon. As apposed to organic. See also: heterotropic, mucus
insulin
Polypeptide hormone produced by the β cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, which decreases the amount of glucose in the blood by stimulating its uptake by cells. See also: B cell, pancreas
intramuscular
Within a muscle.
ionized
The dissociation of compounds (acids, bases and salts) into their constituent ions, e.g.the ionized (NH4-) form of ammonia, which is less toxic to koi than the unionized form. See also: ammonia, toxic
leucocyte
White or nonpigmented blood cell. See also: cell, inflammation, mucus, pus
lysis
Dissolution or destruction of cells, i.e. blood cells or bacteria, as by the action of a specific lysin that distrupts the cell membrane.
metabolism
Sum af all physical and chemical changes within an organism and all energy and material transformations within its cells. It involves two fundamental processes: assimilation (a building-up process) called anabolism and disintegration (a tearing-down process) called catabolism. See also: cell, parasite
methemoglobinemia
Hemoglobin is poisoned by nitrite and forms methemoglobin and thus cannot carry oxygen. Methemoglobinemia is also called "brown blood disease".
microorganism
Microscopic living organisms, especially a bacterium or a parasite. See also: bacterium, infection, parasite, virulence
milt
White solution that contains the spermatozoa (semen) of a male koi.
moribund
Organism dying from a disease. See also: disease
morphology
What something looks like.
mucin
Glycoprotein found in mucus. See also: mucus
mucous membrane
Membrane that lines passages and cavities that communicate with the outside of the body. Consists of a surface layer of epthelium, a basement membrane and an underlying layer of connective tissue, the lamin propria. Mucus-secreting cells or glands are usually present. See also: abrasion, epithelium, gland, mucus
mucus
A viscous (thick, gummy) fluid secreted by mucous membranes and glands consisting of mucin, leucocytes, inorganic salts, water and epithelial cells. See also: cell, epithelium, inorganic, leucocyte, mucin, mucous membrane, secretion
necrosis
Pathologic death of one or more cells or a portion of tissue or organ, resulting from irreversible damage.
necrosisneotenic
Organism that never reaches its adult stage but reproduces in its larval form.
nitrate
Chem Formula: NO3. The end product of biological conversion of e ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrAte. It is not considered toxic to koi except in extremely high concentrations. See also: ammonia, bacterium, nitrite, toxic
nitrite
NO2
Chem Sym:NO2. Intermediate nitrogenous compound formed in the process of bacteriological conversion of ammonia to nitrate. Very toxic to koi. See also: ammonia, nitrate, nitrogen, toxic
nitrogen
Chem Sym:N2. Elemental gas making up approximately 80% of the earth's atmosphere. See also: , nitrite, nitrogenous waste
nitrogenous waste
Organic waste with a high nitrogen content, e.g. animal manure, urine. See also: ammonia, nitrogen, organic
opercular cavity
Space immediately behind the gills and covered by the opercular plate or flap which can be seen to move as the fish respires.
operculum
The bony plate that covers the gills.
organ
Somewhat independent body part that performs a specialized function, e.g. pancrease. See also: congestion, gland, hyperplasia, hypertrophy, pancreas, visera
organic
Chemical substances containing carbon. As apposed to inorganic. See also: amino acid, ammonia, bacterium, detritus, enzyme, heterotropic, nitrogenous waste
osmosis
Movement of a solvent through a semipermeable membrane from a solution of lower to higher concentration of the solutes.
ovum
Female reproductive or germ cell that is capable after fertilization of developing into a new organism of the same species. See also: zygote
oxidation When a chemical substance combines with oxygen.
pancreas
A gland of the endrocrine system that lies in the coelomic cavity. Scattered throughout its tissue are differentiated masses of cells that are islets of Langerhans. The pancrease produces both exocrins (digestive juices) and endocrins (insulin and glucagon). See also: endocrine, exocrine, gland, insulin.
parasite
An organism that lives at the expense of, or in, or on another organism (the host) and which depends on the host for its metabolism. See also: host, infestation, metabolism, microorganism, symbiosis
parts per notation
Various measures used with a number to indicate the concentration of one substance to another and often used when expressing the addition of a chemical to the pond. They are parts per: hundred (pph), thousand (ppt) and million (ppm). The relationship of the various "parts per" measure: 0.01 = 1 per 100 = 1 % = 1 pph (or 1 drop per 5 ml) = 10 ppt (or 10 mg/ml) = 10,000 ppm (or 10,000 mg/l). See also: alkalinity, percent
pathogen
Disease causing organism (parasite, bacterium or virus.
pathogenic
Producing disease or pathological changes. See also: antigen, bacterium, infection, inflammation.
pathological condition
A deviation from a normal condition associated with disease. See also: clinical, disease, pathogenic, stress, virulence
percent
Same as parts per hundred or mg/l, i.e. 1 % = 0.01 = 1 pph = 1 mg/l). See also: parts per notation
peritoneum
Membrane that lines the walls of the abdominal cavity and folds inward to enclose the visera
phenotype
Physical appearance or makeup of an organism.
phylogency
Evolutionary development (the history) of species.
pollution
The introduction of substances, by direct or indirect human activity, into the environment resulting in toxic effects on living organisms. See also: ammonia, toxic
polymerase chain reaction
Abbrev:pcr. Method for multiplying small amounts of DNA in quantities sufficient for the determination of identifying DNA sequences. Used as a diagnostic lab test for Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3); commonly known as koi herpesvirus or KHV.
protein
One class of complex nitrogenous compounds occuring naturally and that provide amino acids essential to the growth and repair of tissue. See also: amino acid, ammonia, antibody, antigen, enzyme, exudate, fibrin
pus
Liquid product of inflammation and composed of albuminous substances, a thin fluid and leucocytes. See also: abcess, exudate, inflammation, leucocyte
quarantine
Practice of isolating new or sick koi or ones exposed to a communicable disease in a separate pond or tank for a period equal to the longest incubation period of a disease. See also: communical disease
roe
Eggs in the abdominal cavity of a female koi.
secretion
Substance produced by glandular organs. See also: duct, exocrine, gland, mucus
septicemia
Presence of living, reproducing bacteria in the blood stream. If allowed to progress, the bacteria may cause an overwhelming infection and death. See also: bacterium
serous membrane
Membrane lining a serous cavity. See also: epithelium, serum
serum
Any serous fluid, especially that lubricating a serous membrane. See also: exudate, serous membrane
sign
This and symptom are often misussed. See also: disease, symptom
slime coat
Often used as syn. for glycocalyx. See also: glycocalyx
spleen
See also: B cell - Lymphoid stem cells from hemapoietic tissue that migrate to and become mature antigen-specific cells in the spleen. See also: antibody, antigen, cell, hemapoietic, insulin, spleen
squamous
Scale-like tssue pattern. See also: epithelium, tissue
stress
Sum of all biological phenomena that result from forces that disrupt equilibrium or produce strain. When stress is above the koi's tolerance level it will produce pathological change. See also: pathological condition
subcutaneous
Beneath the layer of the skin. SYN: hypodermic.
symbiosis
Two organisms of different species living together in close association. Different associations may exist: neither harm each other (commensalism); beneficial to both (mutualism); one harmed, other benefited (parasitism). See also: parasite
symptom
This and sign are often misussed.See also: acute, disease, sign
T cell
See also: antigen
telangiectasis
A vascular lesion (clot) when the capillaries of the gill lamellae dilate and the red blood cells begin to pool forming microthrombi.
tissue
Aggregation of similar cells and their intercellular substance that together perform a particular, specialized function(s). See also: abcess, cell, congestion, diffuse, exudate, hyperemia, hyperplasia, hypertrophy, infection, inflammation, squamous
toxic
See also: ammonia, ionized, nitrate, nitrite, pollution
transudate
Fluid that passes through a membrane, See also: exudate
virulence
Relative power and the degree of pathogenicity of a microorganism to cause disease in a koi. See also: microorganism, pathological condition
visera
Internal organs enclosed within a cavity. See also: organ
zoonoses
Disease that can be transmitted from animal to human under natural conditions. See also: disease
zygote
Fertilzed ovum. See also: ovum
