For histological examination, samples were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde in a 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) for 3 days.
For SEM examination, samples were sputter coated with gold/palladium and observed with an FEI Quanta 600 (FEI Company, Hillsboro, OR, USA) scanning electron microscope at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Unified Laboratory Facility.
For histological examination, samples were fixed in 10% (v v−1) formalin and then embedded in paraffin.
For virological examination, samples of gills, kidney, gut, and brain were collected.
For histological examination, samples were dehydrated and embedded in paraffin wax and 8-μm sections were cut using a microtome.
For further examination, samples of feces, colonic lymph nodes and wall, liver, mesenteric lymph nodes, kidney, spleen, and diaphragm were taken.
For histological examination, samples from both the cyst wall and inner mass were fixed in 10% phosphate buffered formalin for 24 hr, embedded in paraffin wax, cut into 3 5 μm sections, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin.
For the microscopic examination samples of the suspension were directly dripped on the microscope slides.
For the virologic examination, samples were added to confluent monolayers of Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells, observed daily for cytopathic effect, and passaged every 7 days.
For the histopathologic examination, samples from the meninges and brain tissue were taken from the vicinity of the implant site and from corresponding area on the opposite hemisphere.
