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Al Quraishy S, Abdel-Gaber R, El Deeb N, Maher S, Al-Shaebi E, Abdel-Ghaffar F. Ultrastructure and phylogenetic characterization of the microsporidian parasite Heterosporis lessepsianus n. sp. (Microsporidia: Glugeidae) infecting the lizardfish Saurida lessepsianus (Pisces: Synodontidae) inhabiting the Red Sea. Microb Pathog 2019; 130:10-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Martinson SA, Greenwood SJ, Wadowska D, Martin K. Histopathological, ultrastructural and molecular phylogenetic analysis of a novel microsporidium in a loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2018; 129:31-39. [PMID: 29916390 DOI: 10.3354/dao03234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidial spores were identified in the musculature of a loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta found dead on the shore in New Brunswick, Canada. Gastroenteritis was diagnosed on gross postmortem examination, with no gross abnormalities detected in the skeletal muscle. Histologically, the microsporidial spores were associated with inflammation and muscular necrosis and measured 1.1-1.7 × 2.2-3.4 µm. Spores were typically identified within sporophorous vesicles and, less often, in sporophorocysts and were weakly Gram positive, had punctate PAS staining, and were occasionally strongly acid-fast. Ultrastructural characteristics included 7-10 polar filament coils and other standard features of microsporidial spores. PCR for the microsporidial small subunit rRNA gene sequence was performed on DNA extracted from the muscle and small intestine, and the resulting amplicon was sequenced and queried against published microsporidial genomes. DNA sequences shared 98.2-99.8% sequence identity to Clade III of the Marinosporidia. This is the first report of a microsporidial infection contributing to the mortality of a sea turtle.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Martinson
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
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Martel-Arquette A, Chen S, Hempstead J, Pacheco R, Antinoff N, Teixeira L. Microsporidial Keratoconjunctivitis in a Pet Bearded Dragon ( Pogona vitticeps ). J Exot Pet Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1053/j.jepm.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Kaulfers C, de Brot S, Howard J, Wernick MB. Pathology in Practice. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2017; 250:759-761. [PMID: 28306490 DOI: 10.2460/javma.250.7.759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Eydner M, Donhauser J, Beineke A, Guenther P, Blahak S. Microsporidiosis in Four Tortoises ( Testudo hermanni boettgeri). Vet Pathol 2017; 54:704-709. [PMID: 28171733 DOI: 10.1177/0300985817691579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular, spore-forming fungi. A wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts can be infected; however, cases of infected turtles or tortoises have not yet been described. This is the first description of 4 cases in tortoises ( Testudo spp), which showed general signs of illness as well as intestinal and respiratory signs until death occurred or they were euthanized. Granulomatous and necrotizing inflammation was visible in the lung and liver. Fungal organisms were present in heart blood, lung, liver, and intestine. Because of their morphology, staining properties (eg, positive in periodic acid-Schiff and silver reaction), and electron microscopic appearance, they were classified as microsporidia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Eydner
- 1 Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Ostwestfalen-Lippe, Detmold, Germany
| | - J Donhauser
- 2 Tieraerztliche Gemeinschaftspraxis Dres. Donhauser & Schöneberger, Bingen am Rhein, Germany
| | - A Beineke
- 3 Institut für Pathologie der Stiftung Tieraerztliche Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - P Guenther
- 4 Klinik für Heimtiere, Reptilien, Zier- und Wildvoegel, Stiftung Tieraerztliche Hochschule, Hannover, Germany
| | - S Blahak
- 1 Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Ostwestfalen-Lippe, Detmold, Germany
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Gillett AK, Ploeg R, O’Donoghue PJ, Chapman PA, Webb RI, Flint M, Mills PC. Ultrastructural and Molecular Characterisation of an Heterosporis-Like Microsporidian in Australian Sea Snakes (Hydrophiinae). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150724. [PMID: 27007116 PMCID: PMC4805256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Four sea snakes (two Hydrophis major, one Hydrophis platurus, one Hydrophis elegans) were found washed ashore on different beaches in the Sunshine Coast region and Fraser Island in Queensland, Australia between 2007–2013. Each snake had multiple granulomas and locally extensive regions of pallor evident in the hypaxial and intercostal musculature along the body. Lesions in two individuals were also associated with vertebral and rib fractures. Histological examination revealed granulomas scattered throughout skeletal muscle, subcutaneous adipose tissue and fractured bone. These were composed of dense aggregates of microsporidian spores surrounded by a mantle of macrophages. Sequences (ssrRNA) were obtained from lesions in three sea snakes and all revealed 99% similarity with Heterosporis anguillarum from the Japanese eel (Anguillarum japonica). However, ultrastructural characteristics of the organism were not consistent with those of previous descriptions. Electron microscopic examination of skeletal muscle revealed large cysts (not xenomas) bound by walls of fibrillar material (Heterosporis-like sporophorocyst walls were not detected). The cysts contained numerous mature microsporidian spores arranged in small clusters, sometimes apparently within sporophorous vesicles. The microspores were monomorphic, oval and measured 2.5–3.0 μm by 1.6–1.8 μm. They contained isofilar polar filaments with 11 (infrequently 9–12) coils arranged in two ranks. This is the first published report of a microsporidian infection in hydrophiid sea snakes. This discovery shows microsporidia with molecular affinities to Heterosporis anguillarum but ultrastructural characters most consistent with the genus Pleistophora (but no hitherto described species). Further studies are required to determine whether the microsporidian presented here belongs to the genus Heterosporis, or to a polymorphic species group as suggested by the recognition of a robust Pleistophora/Heterosporis clade by molecular studies. The gross and histological pathology associated with these infections are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber K. Gillett
- Vet-MARTI, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Richard Ploeg
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter J. O’Donoghue
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Phoebe A. Chapman
- Vet-MARTI, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Richard I. Webb
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark Flint
- Vet-MARTI, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
- School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, The Florida Aquarium’s Centre for Conservation, Apollo Beach, Florida, United States of America
| | - Paul C. Mills
- Vet-MARTI, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
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Sokolova YY, Sakaguchi K, Paulsen DB. Establishing a New Species Encephalitozoon pogonae for the Microsporidian Parasite of Inland Bearded Dragon Pogona vitticeps Ahl 1927 (Reptilia, Squamata, Agamidae). J Eukaryot Microbiol 2016; 63:524-35. [PMID: 26785360 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The microsporidium parasitizing Inland Bearded Dragons Pogona vitticeps, and developing primarily in macrophages within foci of granulomatous inflammation of different organs, is described as a new species Encephalitozoon pogonae. Establishing the new species was based on sequencing the ITS-SSUrDNA region of the ribosomal gene and consequent SSUrDNA-inferred phylogenetic analyses, as well as on comparison of pathogenesis, host specificity, and ultrastructure among Encephalitozoon species and isolates. The new species is closely related to E. lacertae and E. cuniculi. Analysis of the literature suggests that this microsporidium has been reported previously as an unidentified microsporidian species or isolate of E. cuniculi and may represent a common infection in bearded dragons. All stages of E. pogonae develop in parasitophorous vacuoles. Uninucleate spores on methanol-fixed smears measured 2.1 × 1.1 μm, range 1.7-2.6 × 0.9-1.7 μm; on ultrathin sections spores measured 0.8-1.1 × 1.8-2.2 μm. Ultrastructural study revealed 3-6 polar filament coils, a mushroom-shaped polar disk, and a polar sac embracing half of the volume occupied by the lamellar polaroplast. In activated spores, polar filament everted eccentrically. The overall morphology and intracellular development of E. pogonae were similar to other Encepahalitozoon spp. We also review the existing data on microsporidia infecting reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya Y Sokolova
- Microscopy Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 70803, Louisiana, USA.,Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia
| | - Kanako Sakaguchi
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 70803, Louisiana, USA
| | - Daniel B Paulsen
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 70803, Louisiana, USA
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Microsporidiosis in Vertebrate Companion Exotic Animals. J Fungi (Basel) 2015; 2:jof2010003. [PMID: 29376921 PMCID: PMC5753084 DOI: 10.3390/jof2010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Veterinarians caring for companion animals may encounter microsporidia in various host species, and diagnosis and treatment of these fungal organisms can be particularly challenging. Fourteen microsporidial species have been reported to infect humans and some of them are zoonotic; however, to date, direct zoonotic transmission is difficult to document versus transit through the digestive tract. In this context, summarizing information available about microsporidiosis of companion exotic animals is relevant due to the proximity of these animals to their owners. Diagnostic modalities and therapeutic challenges are reviewed by taxa. Further studies are needed to better assess risks associated with animal microsporidia for immunosuppressed owners and to improve detection and treatment of infected companion animals.
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Scheelings T, Slocombe R, Crameri S, Hair S. Encephalitozoon hellem Infection in a Captive Juvenile Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni). J Comp Pathol 2015; 153:352-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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