Hepatic fasciolosis represents a major health and production concern in sheep farming. Although ultrasonography has been used to evaluate fasciolosis in ruminants, the feasibility of a rapid ultrasonographic protocol performed in standing sheep under field conditions has not been specifically described. This study aimed to provide a preliminary, descriptive evaluation of the feasibility of a fast on-farm ultrasonographic protocol for the assessment of hepatic alterations in sheep with suspected chronic fasciolosis. Sixteen Sarda sheep with Fasciola hepatica fecal eggs count >100 eggs per gram underwent clinical examination, hematological tests, and liver ultrasonography. Three sheep were slaughtered, and their livers were examined by gross pathology and histopathology. The median duration of the ultrasonographic examination was 2.5minutes per animal. Recurrent ultrasonographic features included heterogeneous parenchymal echotexture and echogenicity (87.5%), irregular diaphragmatic liver surface (68.8%), moderate to severe bile duct dilatation (50%), and thickened gallbladder walls (56%). In a subset of animals (37.5%), intraluminal structures compatible with adult flukes were visualized within the biliary tract. Pathological and histological findings in the necropsied animals were consistent with the ultrasonographic features observed in vivo. This study provides preliminary descriptive evidence that a rapid hepatic ultrasonography protocol is feasible under field conditions in standing sheep with suspected chronic fasciolosis. Further prospective studies are required to clarify the diagnostic performance and clinical utility of ultrasonography in ovine fasciolosis.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria are recognized as pathogens affecting aquatic animals and humans. Although Mycobacterium marinum is traditionally considered the principal etiological agent of fish mycobacteriosis and fish-tank granuloma in humans, the contribution of Mycobacterium chelonae in fish as well as in humans remains underestimated, particularly in Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN)-negative lesions. In this study, granulomatous lesions of marine fish species and human skin biopsies were investigated using histopathology and molecular diagnostics. Following histological evaluation, all samples were analysed by PCR amplification and sequencing of the hsp65 gene to identify the causative agent. Fish and human tissues showed similar chronic granulomatous lesions, with all cases negative for acid-fast bacilli by ZN staining. Molecular analysis consistently identified M. chelonae in both marine fish organs and human skin lesions exhibiting clinicopathological features traditionally attributed to M. marinum. Phylogenetic analysis revealed high genetic similarity between fish- and human-derived sequences, suggesting shared environmental reservoirs rather than host-specific lineages. These findings identify M. chelonae as an underrecognized cause of granulomatous disease in fish and humans and demonstrate the limitations of histochemical methods in these infections. Incorporating molecular diagnostics into routine investigations of granulomatous disease supports more accurate diagnosis across veterinary and human medicine and strengthens One Health surveillance of aquatic non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections.