Ocean Surgeon Acanthurus bahianus <Click on image for magnified view.>     Spleen (250x). a) melanomacrophage center. b) red pulp. c) white pulp. As in the liver, splenic tissue is often interspersed with melanomacrophage centers. This organ's function as a hematopoietic center and blood filter make it a good place to look for pathogens. Gross granulomatous lesions may sometimes be seen after chronic exposure to bacterial or parasitic agents.     Spleen with heavy nematode infestation (100x). a) red pulp. b) white pulp. c) melanomacrophage center. d) nematode (cross section).

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