Hyperplasia in KoiHyperplasia in Koi

Cindy Badder, KHA

Mt. Washington, KY

Louisville Koi Club

What is Hyperplasia?What is Hyperplasia?

Hyperplasia is a fancy way of saying Hyperplasia is a fancy way of saying

abnormal increase in cell numbers or cell abnormal increase in cell numbers or cell

numbers "gone wild" leading to a size numbers "gone wild" leading to a size

increase of the affected tissue or organ; it increase of the affected tissue or organ; it

can also be used as another term for can also be used as another term for

benign growth, or tumor.benign growth, or tumor.

Case HistoryCase History

Person requested help on koi forum Person requested help on koi forum for fish that had abnormal growthsfor fish that had abnormal growths Pond is 400 gallonsPond is 400 gallons Problem started 3 years ago with Problem started 3 years ago with

fish #1fish #1 Tumor grew, then fell offTumor grew, then fell off

Fish #1Fish #1

Additional DetailsAdditional Details

Other Koi and goldfish started to Other Koi and goldfish started to develop growths develop growths

Small amount of algae on rocksSmall amount of algae on rocks Water analysis:Water analysis:

pH is normal, pH is normal, KH 120, KH 120, Nitrite 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 20Nitrate 20

Fish # 2Fish # 2

ObservationsObservations

Fish eat and act normalFish eat and act normal

Pond owner originally thought it Pond owner originally thought it

was parasite relatedwas parasite related

Bumps are hardBumps are hard

Fish #3Fish #3

My SuggestionsMy Suggestions

Pond is over crowded, more water changesPond is over crowded, more water changes

Possibility of Acriflavine for LymphocystisPossibility of Acriflavine for Lymphocystis Lymphocystis is a viral disorderLymphocystis is a viral disorder

Acriflavine (surface bactericide)Acriflavine (surface bactericide)

This treatment wouldn’t work on cancers or This treatment wouldn’t work on cancers or

hyperplasiahyperplasia

Lymphocystis CellsLymphocystis Cells on a Slideon a Slide

((Picture from KoivetPicture from Koivet))

Hyperplasia can be confused for Hyperplasia can be confused for lymphocystis (increase in cell size), and lymphocystis (increase in cell size), and various bacterial or fungal infections. various bacterial or fungal infections.

Lymphocystis usually appears whitish in Lymphocystis usually appears whitish in color, and distinct clusters of enlarged cells color, and distinct clusters of enlarged cells can be easily seen which have a visibly can be easily seen which have a visibly enlarged blood supply system supporting enlarged blood supply system supporting the rapidly expanding lymphocystis cellsthe rapidly expanding lymphocystis cells

Hyperplasia or Lymphocystis?

LymphocystisLymphocystis

Many irritants can cause hyperplasiaMany irritants can cause hyperplasia Chemical irritantsChemical irritants

Toxic pollutantsToxic pollutants

Pond decoration or structures Pond decoration or structures

Aerosol spraysAerosol sprays

Open wound from injury, abrasions etc.Open wound from injury, abrasions etc.

Suspended particles in the waterSuspended particles in the water

Causes of Hyperplasia

Cure and preventionCure and prevention

Hyperplasia, will not be "cured" by Hyperplasia, will not be "cured" by

antibiotics or other treatments. In fact, antibiotics or other treatments. In fact,

the application of such medications the application of such medications

may have caused the hyperplasia to may have caused the hyperplasia to

begin with, or even stimulated more begin with, or even stimulated more

such growth.such growth.

Transmission to Humans?Transmission to Humans?

Researcher handled experimentally Researcher handled experimentally

infected fishinfected fish

Developed multiple warts on handsDeveloped multiple warts on hands

No viral cell comparison doneNo viral cell comparison done

Warts disappeared after working Warts disappeared after working

mixing concrete. Cause - basic pH?mixing concrete. Cause - basic pH?

Case UpdateCase Update

Koi have worsenedKoi have worsened

PO has not tried AcriflavinePO has not tried Acriflavine

Fish still act normal, have appetitesFish still act normal, have appetites

If I have further contact, I’ll If I have further contact, I’ll

recommend removing any sharp recommend removing any sharp

objects in addition to water changesobjects in addition to water changes

Hyperplasia IncreasingHyperplasia Increasing

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Don't assume lesions are LymphocystisDon't assume lesions are Lymphocystis

Cause may be viral or environmentalCause may be viral or environmental

Not all skin growths are treatableNot all skin growths are treatable

Wear gloves to protect yourself Wear gloves to protect yourself 

CreditsCredits

http://www.aquarticles.com/http://www.aquarticles.com/

Dr. Adrian Lawler,Dr. Adrian Lawler,P.O. Box 48,P.O. Box 48,

Ocean Springs.Ocean Springs.MS 39566MS 39566

U.S.A. U.S.A.

DiscussionDiscussion