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Faculty

Salvatore Frasca Jr.

Background

Education

DIPL 1999 Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Pathologists, Board Certification in veterinary anatomical pathology.
PhD 1998 Doctor of Philosophy, Pathobiology, Concentration: Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Connecticut.
VMD 1988 Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
AB 1984 Artium Baccalarius (Bachelor of Arts) Major: Biology and Society, College of Arts and Sciences, Cornell University.

Career

2003 Junior Faculty Award for Merit, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gamma Sigma Delta, The Honor Society of Agriculture
2002 Ten Years Outstanding Service Award, Aquavet I Faculty
Jan1999-Present Associate Professor, Faculty Research and Diagnostic Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
Jan1998-Dec1998 Post-Doctoral Fellow in Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
Aug1993-Apr1998 Resident and PhD Student in Veterinary Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
Aug1992-Aug1993 Veterinary Intern, Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT.

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Contact

Salvatore Frasca Jr.
Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science
University of Connecticut
61 North Eagleville Road
Storrs, CT 06269-3089
Phone: 860-486-1138
FAX: 860-486-2794
E-mail: salvatore.frasca@uconn.edu

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Courses Taught

Instructor in Biomedical Issues in Pathobiology (UConn PVS 1000).
This introductory course is designed for undergraduate freshman and sophomores from a broad variety of backgrounds. Course content highlights topics of global importance to medicine and biotechnology with emphasis on the role of pathology.

Instructor in Diseases of Finfish and Shellfish (UConn PVS 4351).
A course designed for undergraduate upperclassmen and graduate students who have an interest in the pathology and microbiology of aquatic animals, in particular oysters, lobsters, aquarium fish, salmon and catfish. This course is part of the aquaculture minor at the University of Connecticut.

Instructor in Veterinary Pathology Seminar (UConn PVS 5394).
A course in descriptive anatomic pathology of domestic and non-domestic animals taken by veterinary residents and graduate students.

Instructor in Histologic Structure and Function (UConn PVS 3100)
This course is for students in the biological, paramedical and animal sciences. Course content is designed to integrate histologic and cellular structure with function.

Lecturer and Laboratory Instructor in Aquavet I, an Introduction to Aquatic Animal Medicine.
The Aquavet I course is a classroom and laboratory course offered at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, in conjunction with the New York State School of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

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Research Interests

Research Interests

My research focuses on molecular characterization of atypical bacterial, fungal and protozoal infectious agents in aquatic non-mammalian hosts. To this end, previous and current research interests have included the following:

  • molecular characterization of paramoebiases in American lobster
  • ultrastructural, antigenic and molecular characterization of chlamydia-like bacteria in cultured salmonids
  • molecular mycobacterial diagnostics
  • molecular systematics and comparative pathology of melanized fungal infections (phaeohyphomycosis)
  • comparative pathology of mycoplasmosis in poultry with emphasis on vaccine development and characterization of virulence determinants

Diagnostic Interests

My service responsibilities include diagnostic anatomic pathology of non-domestic and domestic animal species as a faculty veterinary pathologist of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL). My diagnostic interests focus on the anatomic pathology of non-mammalian aquarium, zoo, wildlife and aquatic species, e.g. finfish, marine mammals and invertebrates with emphasis on descriptive comparative pathology, ultrastructural and molecular characterization of pathogens and identification of molecular markers for infectious disease detection. To this end, the CVMDL receives case submissions from aquariums across the nation, such as the New England Aquarium (Boston, MA), Tennessee Aquarium (Chattanooga, TN), National Aquarium (Baltimore, MD) and Aquarium of the Bay (San Francisco, CA).

Academic Interests

My primary academic interest is in the didactic and active teaching of comparative anatomic pathology to undergraduates, graduate students and veterinary residents, focusing on the pathology of aquatic animal species. I have strong commitment to teaching veterinary anatomic pathology to veterinarians in the context of the Department's residency training program in veterinary anatomic pathology, with the goal of preparing residents to sit the certification examination of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

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Publications

  • Frasca Jr S, Poynton SL, West AB, and Van Kruiningen HJ. Epizootiology, pathology, and ultrastructure of the myxosporean associated with parasitic encephalitis of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Ireland. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 1998, 32:211-225. (Download PDF)
  • Frasca Jr S, Linfert DR, Tsongalis GJ, Gorton TS, Garmendia A, Hedrick RP, West AB, and Van Kruiningen HJ. Molecular characterization of the myxosporean associated with parasitic encephalitis of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Ireland. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 1999, 33:221-233. (Download PDF)
  • Frasca Jr S, Schwartz DR, Moiseff A, and French RA. Feather folliculoma in a captive-bred barn owl (Tyto alba). Avian Diseases, 1999, 43:616-621.
  • Bullard SA, Frasca Jr S, and Benz GW. Skin lesions Caused by Dermophthirius penneri (Monogenea: Microbothriidae) on Wild-Caught Blacktip Sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus). Journal of Parasitology, 2000, 86 (3):618-622.
  • Frasca Jr S, Van Kruiningen HJ, Dunn JL, and St. Aubin DJ. Gastric intramural hematoma and hemoperitoneum in a northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2000, 36(3):565-569.
  • Bullard SA, Frasca Jr S, and Benz GW. Gill lesions associated with Erpocotyle tiburonis (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae) on wild and aquarium-held bonnethead sharks (Sphyrna tiburo). Journal of Parasitology, 2001, 87(5):972-977. (Download PDF)
  • Bowenkamp KE, Frasca Jr S, Draghi II A, Tsongalis GJ, Koerting C, Hinckley L, De Guise S, Montali RJ, Goertz CEC, St. Aubin DJ, and Dunn JL. Mycobacterium marinum dermatitis and panniculitis with chronic pleuritis in a captive white whale (Delphinapterus leucas) with aortic rupture. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2001, 13(6):524-530. (Download PDF)
  • Moravec F, Spangenberg JV, and Frasca Jr S. Syngnathinema californiense n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Dracunculoidea) from the Circulatory System of the pipefish, Syngnathus leptorhynchus, in California. Journal of Parasitology, 2001, 87(6):1429-1432.
  • Moravec F, Borucinska JD, and Frasca Jr S. Pancreatonema americanum sp. n. from the pancreatic duct of the dogfish shark, Squalus acanthias, from the coast of Massachusetts, USA. Acta Parasitologica, 2001, 46(4):293-298.
  • Stanton JB, Poet S, Frasca Jr S, Bienzle D, and Brown CC. Development of a semi-nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for the retrospective diagnosis of canine distemper virus infection. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2002, 14:47-52.
  • Borucinska JD, and Frasca Jr S. Naturally occurring lesions and microorganisms in two species of free-living sharks: the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and the smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis) from the northwestern Atlantic. Journal of Fish Diseases, 2002, 25:287-298.
  • Borucinska JD, and Frasca Jr S. Pancreatic fibrosis and ductal ectasia associated with the nematode Pancreatonema americanum, sp. nov., in spiny dogfish sharks (Squalus acanthias) from the northwestern Atlantic. Journal of Fish Diseases, 2002, 25:367-370.
  • Cone DK, and Frasca Jr S. Revised diagnosis, site of development, and lesions due to Myxobolus hyborhynchi (Myxozoa) parasitizing fathead minnow in the state of Minnesota, U.S.A. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 2002, 14(3):209-215.
  • Papazisi L, Silbart LK, Frasca Jr S, Rood D, Liao X, Gladd M, Javed MA, and Geary SJ. A modified live Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccine to protect chickens from respiratory disease. Vaccine, 2002, 20(31-32):3709-3719. (Download PDF)
  • Papazisi L, Frasca Jr S, Galdd M, Liao X, Yogev D, and Geary SJ. GapA and CrmA Co-expression is essential for Mycoplasma gallisepticum cytadherence and virulence. Infection and Immunity, 2002, 70(12):6839-6845. (Download PDF)
  • Peglar MT, Amaral-Zettler LA, Anderson OR, Nerad TA, Mullen TE, Frasca Jr S, Silberman JD, O'Kelly CJ, Gillevet PM, Sogin ML. Two new small subunit ribosomal RNA gene clades within the morphologically defined subclass Gymnamoebia. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 2003, 50(3):224-232.
  • Maratea J, Ewalt DR, Frasca Jr. S, Dunn JL, De Guise S, Szkudlarek L, St. Aubin DJ, French RA. 2003. Evidence of Brucella infection in marine mammals stranded along the coast of southern New England. J Zoo Wildl Med 34: 256-261. Boerner L, Nevis KR, Hinkley LS, Weber ES, and Frasca Jr S. Erysipelothrix septicemia in a little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor). Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2004, 16(2):145-149.
  • Stanton JB, Brown CC, Poet S, Lipscomb TP, Saliki J, and Frasca Jr S. Retrospective differentiation of canine distemper virus and phocine distemper virus in phocids. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2004, 40(1):53-59.
  • Russell S, Frasca Jr S, Sunila I, and French RA. Modification and field trials of a multiplex PCR for the detection of three protozoan pathogens of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 2004, 59:85-91.
  • Willens S, Dunn JL, and Frasca Jr S. 2004. Fibrosarcoma of the brood pouch in an aquarium-reared lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus). J Zoo Wildl Med, 35:107-109.
  • Forzan, M, and Frasca Jr S. 2004. Systemic toxoplasmosis in a five-month-old beaver, Caster Canadensis. J Zoo Wildl Med, 35:113-115.
  • Boerner L, Nevis KR, Hinkley LS, Weber ES, and Frasca Jr S. 2004 Erysipelothrix septicemia in a little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor). Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, Mar 16(2):145-149.
  • Mullen TE, Russell KS, Tucker MT, Maratea JL, Burrage TG, Koerting C, Hinckley L, Perkins CR, De Guise S, Frasca Jr S, and French RA. Paramoebiasis associated with mass mortality of American lobster (Homarus americanus) in Long Island Sound, USA. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, 2004, 16:29-38.
  • Caterina KM, Frasca Jr S, Girshick T, and Khan MI. Development of a multiplex PCR for detection of avian adenovirus, avian reovirus, infectious bursal disease virus, and chicken anemia virus. Molecular and Cellular Probes, 2004, 18:293-298.
  • Draghi A, Popov V, Kahl M, Stanton JB, Brown CC, Tsongalis GJ, West AB, and Frasca Jr S. Characterization of 'Candidatus' Piscichlamydia salmonis (gen. nov, sp. nov.) (order Chlamydiales), a chlamydia-like bacterium associated with epitheliocystis in farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2004, 42(11):5286-5297.
  • Frasca Jr S, Kirsipuu VL, Russell S, Bullard SA, and Benz GW. Opercular lesion in wild black drum, Pogonias cromis, associated with attachment of the sea louse Sciaenophilus tenuis (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Caligidae). Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria, 2004, 34(2):115-127.
  • Mullen TE, Nevis KR, O'Kelly CJ, Gast RJ, and Frasca Jr S. Nuclear small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene-based characterization, molecular phylogeny, and PCR detection of the neoparamoeba from western Long Island Sound lobster. Journal of Shellfish Research, 2005, 24(3):719-731.
  • Frasca Jr S, Weber ES, Urquhart H, Liao X, Gladd M, Cecchini K, Hudson P, May M, Gast RJ, Gorton TS, and Geary SJ. Isolation and Characterization of Mycoplasma sphenisci sp. nov. from the choana of an aquarium-reared jackass penguin (Spheniscus demersus). Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2005, 43(6):2976-2979.
  • Tuttle AD, Andreadis TG, Frasca Jr S, and Dunn JL. Eastern Equine Encephalitis in an Aquarium-Maintained Flock of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) in Southeastern Connecticut, USA. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2005, 226(12):2059-2062.
  • Javed MA, Frasca Jr S, Rood D, Cecchini K, Gladd M, Geary SJ, and Silbart LK Correlates of Immune Protection in GT5 Vaccinated Chickens Challenged with Pathogenic Mycoplasma gallisepticum Rlow. Infection and Immunity, 2005, 73(9):5410-5419.
  • Hudson P, Gorton TS, Papazisi L, Cecchini K, Frasca Jr S, and Geary S.J. Identification of a novel virulence determinant, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (lpd), in Mycoplasma gallisepticum through in vivo screening of transposon mutants. Infection and Immunity, 2006 Feb;74(2):931-9.
  • Baker K, Daniels S, Lennington J, Lardaro T, Czap A, Notti RQ, Cooper O, Isacson O, Frasca Jr S, and Conover J. Neuroblast Protuberances in the Subventricular Zone of the Regenerative MRL/MpJ Mouse. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 2006, 498:747-761.

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