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Chang RK, Okihiro MS. A practical guide to necropsy of the elasmobranch chondrocranium and causes of mortality in wild and aquarium-housed California elasmobranchs. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1410332. [PMID: 38938914 PMCID: PMC11208305 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1410332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Elasmobranchs are common, iconic species in public aquaria; their wild counterparts are key members of marine ecosystems. Post-mortem examination is a critical tool for disease monitoring of wild elasmobranchs and for management of those under human care. Careful necropsy of the head, with a focus on clinically relevant anatomy, can ensure that proper samples are collected, increasing the chance of presumptive diagnoses prior to slower diagnostic workup. Immediate feedback from a thorough head necropsy allows for faster management decisions, often identifying pathogens, routes of pathogen entry, and pathogenesis, which are current shortcomings in published literature. This article proposes a protocol for necropsy of the elasmobranch chondrocranium, emphasizing unique anatomy and careful dissection, evaluation, and sampling of the endolymphatic pores and ducts, inner ears, brain, and olfactory system as part of a complete, whole-body necropsy. Extensive use of cytology and microbiology, along with thorough sample collection for histology and molecular biology, has proven effective in identifying a wide range of pathogens and assisting with characterization of pathogenesis. The cause of mortality is often identified from a head necropsy alone, but does not replace a thorough whole-body dissection. This protocol for necropsy and ancillary diagnostic sample collection and evaluation was developed and implemented in the necropsy of 189 wild and aquarium-housed elasmobranchs across 18 species over 13 years (2011-2023) in California. Using this chondrocranial approach, meningoencephalitis was determined to be the primary cause of mortality in 70% (118/168) of stranded wild and aquarium-housed elasmobranchs. Etiology was largely bacterial or protozoal. Carnobacterium maltaromaticum bacterial meningoencephalitis occurred in salmon sharks (Lamna ditropis), shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus), common thresher sharks (Alopias vulpinus), and one Pacific electric ray (Tetronarce californica). Miamiensis avidus was the most common cause of protozoal meningoencephalitis and found almost exclusively in leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) and bat rays (Myliobatis californica) that stranded in San Francisco Bay. Bacterial pathogens were found to use an endolymphatic route of entry, while protozoa entered via the nares and olfactory lamellae. Trauma was the second most common cause of mortality and responsible for 14% (24/168) of wild shark strandings and deaths of aquarium-housed animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ri K. Chang
- Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA, United States
| | - Mark S. Okihiro
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Vista, CA, United States
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Steverding D. Scuticociliatosis caused by Philasterides dicentrarchi. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2022; 150:87-101. [PMID: 35899962 DOI: 10.3354/dao03678] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The ciliate Philasterides dicentrarchi has been previously identified as a new agent of scuticociliatosis in marine fish. The parasite can cause high mortalities in fish reared on farms or kept in aquariums. P. dicentrarchi is usually a free-living protozoan but can become an opportunistic histophagous parasite causing rapid lethal systemic infections in cultured fish. This review provides information about the morphology and biology of the scuticociliate P. dicentrarchi, as well as information about the pathological and immunological reactions of the host in response to the infection with the parasite. The epidemiology and the control strategies of the disease are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dietmar Steverding
- Bob Champion Research and Education Building, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, James Watson Road, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
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Woo SJ, Jeong MG, Jeon EJ, Do MY, Kim NY. Antiparasitic potential of ethanolic extracts of Carpesii Fructus against Miamiensis avidus in hirame natural embryo cell line and their effects on immune response- and biotransformation-related genes. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2022; 251:109214. [PMID: 34673250 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2021.109214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Scuticociliatosis, caused by Miamiensis avidus, is a severe parasitic disease affecting marine organisms, particularly Paralichthys olivaceus. The aim of this study was to assess the antiparasitic potential of ethanolic extracts of Carpesii Fructus (EECF), the dried fruit of Carpesium abrotanoides L., which is used in traditional Chinese medicine, in vitro. We found that 50%, 70%, and 100% EECF induced morphological changes in M. avidus, including reduced motility, cell shrinkage, and lysis. Nearly 100% cell lysis was observed in M. avidus after 2 h of treating with 100% EECF. After 24 h, the survival rates of M. avidus treated with 100%, 70%, and 50% EECF were 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. Additionally, the mRNA levels of immune response-related (IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, and CD8-α) and biotransformation-related (CYP1A, CYP1B, CYP3A4, and UGT2B19) genes increased with 70% and 100% EECF treatment and decreased with 50% EECF treatment following pretreatment with concanavalin A. The viability of hirame natural embryo (HINAE) cells was reduced by 50%, 70%, and 100% EECF (100 mg/L) and was between 67 and 80%. The IC50 values of 50%, 70%, 90%, and 100% EECF in HINAE cells were 102.3, 42.93, 39.15, and 38.39 mg/L, respectively. These results indicated that 50% EECF was less toxic to HINAE cells than 70% or 100% EECF, while still exhibiting antiparasitic activity against M. avidus. Therefore, we demonstrated the role of EECF as a natural antiparasitic agent against M. avidus. Our findings suggest that Carpesii Fructus has potential use as an antiparasitic agent in the aquaculture industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Ji Woo
- Pathology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, South Korea
| | - Min Gyeong Jeong
- Pathology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, South Korea
| | - Eun Ji Jeon
- Pathology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, South Korea
| | - Mi Young Do
- Pathology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, South Korea
| | - Na Young Kim
- Pathology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, South Korea.
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Ríos-Castro R, Romero A, Aranguren R, Pallavicini A, Banchi E, Novoa B, Figueras A. High-Throughput Sequencing of Environmental DNA as a Tool for Monitoring Eukaryotic Communities and Potential Pathogens in a Coastal Upwelling Ecosystem. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:765606. [PMID: 34805343 PMCID: PMC8595318 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.765606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The marine environment includes diverse microeukaryotic organisms that play important functional roles in the ecosystem. With molecular approaches, eukaryotic taxonomy has been improved, complementing classical analysis. In this study, DNA metabarcoding was performed to describe putative pathogenic eukaryotic microorganisms in sediment and marine water fractions collected in Galicia (NW Spain) from 2016 to 2018. The composition of eukaryotic communities was distinct between sediment and water fractions. Protists were the most diverse group, with the clade TSAR (Stramenopiles, Alveolata, Rhizaria, and Telonemida) as the primary representative organisms in the environment. Harmful algae and invasive species were frequently detected. Potential pathogens, invasive pathogenic organisms as well as the causative agents of harmful phytoplanktonic blooms were identified in this marine ecosystem. Most of the identified pathogens have a crucial impact on the aquacultural sector or affect to relevant species in the marine ecosystem, such as diatoms. Moreover, pathogens with medical and veterinary importance worldwide were also found, as well as pathogens that affect diatoms. The evaluation of the health of a marine ecosystem that directly affects the aquacultural sector with a zoonotic concern was performed with the metabarcoding assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Ríos-Castro
- Inmunology and Genomics, Marine Research Institute (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain
| | - Alejandro Romero
- Inmunology and Genomics, Marine Research Institute (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain
| | - Raquel Aranguren
- Inmunology and Genomics, Marine Research Institute (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain
| | - Alberto Pallavicini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Division of Oceanography, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, Trieste, Italy
| | - Elisa Banchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Division of Oceanography, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, Trieste, Italy
| | - Beatriz Novoa
- Inmunology and Genomics, Marine Research Institute (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain
| | - Antonio Figueras
- Inmunology and Genomics, Marine Research Institute (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain
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Huang YX, Wang S, Gao YQ, Chen JH, Wang XL, Li RJ. Comparison of mitochondrial genome and development of specific PCR primers for identifying two scuticociliates, Pseudocohnilembus persalinus and Uronema marinum. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:318. [PMID: 34112204 PMCID: PMC8193900 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04821-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pseudocohnilembus persalinus and Uronema marinum (Ciliophora, Scuticociliatia), as parasitic scuticociliatid ciliates, were isolated from Scophthalmus maximus and Takifugu rubripes, respectively, in our previous studies. These ciliates are morphologically very similar; hence, it is difficult to identify specific scuticociliate species using traditional classification methods for performing taxonomic research and disease control studies. Methods We annotated the mitochondrial genomes of these two scuticociliates on the basis of previous sequencing, including analyses of nucleotide composition, codon usage, Ka/Ks, and p-distance. We also compared the nucleotide and amino acid similarity of the mitochondrial genomes of P. persalinus, U. marinum, and other 12 related ciliates, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using 16 common genes. We chose the nad4 and nad7 genes to design specific PCR primers for identification. Results P. persalinus and U. marinum were found to have a close evolutionary relationship. Although codon preferences were similar, differences were observed in the usage of codons such as CGA, CGC, and GTC. Both Ka/Ks and p-distance were less than 1. Except for yejR, ymf57, ymf67, and ymf75, the amino acid sequence similarity between P. persalinus and U. marinum was greater than 50%. Conclusions The mitochondrial genomes of P. persalinus and U. marinum were thoroughly compared to provide a reference for disease prevention and control. The specific PCR primers enabled us to identify P. persalinus and U. marinum rapidly and accurately at the molecular level, thus providing a basis for classification and identification. Graphic abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04821-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xi Huang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, People's Republic of China
| | - Sen Wang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Qi Gao
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie-Hu Chen
- Science Corporation of Gene, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, 510000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Li Wang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui-Jun Li
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, People's Republic of China.
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Jalenques M, Lair S, Schmidt-Posthaus H, Jufer M, Lamglait B. Scuticociliate (Philasterides dicentrarchi) infection cluster in a multispecies marine aquarium system. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2021; 144:107-115. [PMID: 33884959 DOI: 10.3354/dao03580] [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: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Scuticociliatosis, caused by ciliated protozoa of the subclass Scuticociliatia, has been associated with high mortalities in marine fish. Environmental factors such as an increase in water temperature can enhance this disease. The aim of the present report is to describe the occurrence of a cluster of cases of scuticociliatosis in a multispecies marine cold-water system in a public aquarium. Philasterides dicentrarchi was identified by PCR in formalin-fixed tissues of some of the fish showing meningitis or meningoencephalitis, dermatitis and myositis with intralesional protozoa. An increase in water temperature of approximately 2°C was identified as a potential contributing factor for this cluster of infections. Higher temperature may have enhanced the propagation or pathogenicity of scuticociliates or increased host susceptibility of some species of fish, especially wolf-eel Anarrhichthys ocellatus and spotted ratfish Hydrolagus colliei. This report also highlights the complexity of dealing with mixed species systems housing fish from different natural ecozones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Jalenques
- Centre québécois sur la santé des animaux sauvages/Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
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7
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Molecular characterization and transcriptional regulation of two types of H +-pyrophosphatases in the scuticociliate parasite Philasterides dicentrarchi. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8519. [PMID: 33875762 PMCID: PMC8055999 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88102-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Proton-translocating inorganic pyrophosphatases (H+-PPases) are an ancient family of membrane bound enzymes that couple pyrophosphate (PPi) hydrolysis to H+ translocation across membranes. In this study, we conducted a molecular characterization of two isoenzymes (PdVP1 and PdVP2) located in respectively the alveolar sacs and in the membranes of the intracellular vacuoles of a scuticociliate parasite (Philasterides dicentrarchi) of farmed turbot. We analyzed the genetic expression of the isoenzymes after administration of antiparasitic drugs and after infection in the host. PdVP1 and PdVP2 are encoded by two genes of 2485 and 3069 bp, which respectively contain 3 and 11 exons and express proteins of 746 and 810 aa of molecular mass 78.9 and 87.6 kDa. Topological predictions from isoenzyme sequences indicate the formation of thirteen transmembrane regions (TMRs) for PdVP1 and seventeen TMRs for PdVP2. Protein structure modelling indicated that both isoenzymes are homodimeric, with three Mg2+ binding sites and an additional K+ binding site in PdVP2. The levels of identity and similarity between the isoenzyme sequences are respectively 33.5 and 51.2%. The molecular weights of the native proteins are 158 kDa (PdVP1) and 178 kDa (PdVP2). The isoenzyme sequences are derived from paralogous genes that form a monophyletic grouping with other ciliate species. Genetic expression of the isoenzymes is closely related to the acidification of alveolar sacs (PdVP1) and intracellular vacuoles (PdVP2): antiparasitic drugs inhibit transcription, while infection increases transcription of both isoenzymes. The study findings show that P. dicentrarchi possesses two isoenzymes with H+-PPase activity which are located in acidophilic cell compartment membranes and which are activated during infection in the host and are sensitive to antiparasitic drugs. The findings open the way to using molecular modelling to design drugs for the treatment of scuticociliatosis.
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Valle A, Leiro JM, Pereiro P, Figueras A, Novoa B, Dirks RPH, Lamas J. Interactions between the Parasite Philasterides dicentrarchi and the Immune System of the Turbot Scophthalmus maximus. A Transcriptomic Analysis. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9100337. [PMID: 33076342 PMCID: PMC7602577 DOI: 10.3390/biology9100337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The present study analyses the interactions between Philasterides dicentrarchi (a ciliate parasite that causes high mortalities in cultured flatfish) and the peritoneal cells of the turbot Scophthalmus maximus during an experimental infection. The transcriptomic response was evaluated in the parasites and in the fish peritoneal cells, at 1, 2 and 4 h post-infection (hpi) in turbot injected intraperitoneally (ip) with 107 ciliates and at 12 and 48 hpi in turbot injected ip with 105 ciliates. Numerous genes were differentially expressed (DE) in P. dicentrarchi, relative to their expression in control ciliates (0 hpi): 407 (369 were up-regulated) at 1 hpi, 769 (415 were up-regulated) at 2 hpi and 507 (119 were up-regulated) at 4 hpi. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of the DE genes showed that the most representative categories of biological processes affected at 1, 2 and 4 hpi were biosynthetic processes, catabolic processes, biogenesis, proteolysis and transmembrane transport. Twelve genes of the ABC transporter family and eight genes of the leishmanolysin family were DE at 1, 2 and 4 hpi. Most of these genes were strongly up-regulated (UR), suggesting that they are involved in P. dicentrarchi infection. A third group of UR genes included several genes related to ribosome biogenesis, DNA transcription and RNA translation. However, expression of tubulins and tubulin associated proteins, such as kinesins or dyneins, which play key roles in ciliate division and movement, was down-regulated (DR). Similarly, genes that coded for lysosomal proteins or that participate in the cell cycle mitotic control, glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and/or in the electron transport chain were also DR. The transcriptomic analysis also revealed that in contrast to many parasites, which passively evade the host immune system, P. dicentrarchi strongly stimulated turbot peritoneal cells. Many genes related to inflammation were DE in peritoneal cells at 1, 2 and 4 hpi. However, the response was much lower at 12 hpi and almost disappeared completely at 48 hpi in fish that were able to kill P. dicentrarchi during the first few hpi. The genes that were DE at 1, 2 and 4 hpi were mainly related to the apoptotic process, the immune response, the Fc-epsilon receptor signalling pathway, the innate immune response, cell adhesion, cell surface receptors, the NF-kappaB signalling pathway and the MAPK cascade. Expression of toll-like receptors 2, 5 and 13 and of several components of NF-κB, MAPK and JAK/STAT signalling pathways was UR in the turbot peritoneal cells. Genes expressing chemokines and chemokine receptors, genes involved in prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis, prostaglandins, leukotriene receptors, proinflammatory cytokines and genes involved in apoptosis were strongly UR during the first four hours of infection. However, expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as Il-10 and lipoxygenases with anti-inflammatory activity (i.e., arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase) were only UR at 12 and/or 48 hpi, indicating an anti-inflammatory state in these groups of fish. In conclusion, the present study shows the regulation of several genes in P. dicentrarchi during the early stages of infection, some of which probably play important roles in this process. The infection induced a potent acute inflammatory response, and many inflammatory genes were regulated in peritoneal cells, showing that the turbot uses all the protective mechanisms it has available to prevent the entry of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Valle
- Department of Fundamental Biology, Institute of Aquaculture, Campus Vida, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - José Manuel Leiro
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis, Campus Vida, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Patricia Pereiro
- Institute of Marine Research, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-CSIC, 36208 Vigo, Spain; (P.P.); (A.F.); (B.N.)
| | - Antonio Figueras
- Institute of Marine Research, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-CSIC, 36208 Vigo, Spain; (P.P.); (A.F.); (B.N.)
| | - Beatriz Novoa
- Institute of Marine Research, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-CSIC, 36208 Vigo, Spain; (P.P.); (A.F.); (B.N.)
| | - Ron P. H. Dirks
- Future Genomics Technologies, Leiden BioScience Park, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Jesús Lamas
- Department of Fundamental Biology, Institute of Aquaculture, Campus Vida, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-88-181-6951; Fax: +34-88-159-6904
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Folgueira I, Lamas J, de Felipe AP, Sueiro RA, Leiro JM. Identification and Molecular Characterization of Superoxide Dismutases Isolated From A Scuticociliate Parasite: Physiological Role in Oxidative Stress. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13329. [PMID: 31527617 PMCID: PMC6746850 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49750-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Philasterides dicentrarchi is a free-living microaerophilic scuticociliate that can become a facultative parasite and cause a serious parasitic disease in farmed fish. Both the free-living and parasitic forms of this scuticociliate are exposed to oxidative stress associated with environmental factors and the host immune system. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the host are neutralized by the ciliate by means of antioxidant defences. In this study we aimed to identify metalloenzymes with superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity capable of inactivating the superoxide anion (•O2-) generated during induction of oxidative stress. P. dicentrarchi possesses the three characteristic types of SOD isoenzymes in eukaryotes: copper/zinc-SOD, manganese-SOD and iron-SOD. The Cu/Zn-SOD isoenzymes comprise three types of homodimeric proteins (CSD1-3) of molecular weight (MW) 34-44 kDa and with very different AA sequences. All Cu/Zn-SODs are sensitive to NaCN, located in the cytosol and in the alveolar sacs, and one of them (CSD2) is extracellular. Mn- and Fe-SOD transcripts encode homodimeric proteins (MSD and FSD, respectively) in their native state: a) MSD (MW 50 kDa) is insensitive to H2O2 and NaN3 and is located in the mitochondria; and b) FSD (MW 60 kDa) is sensitive to H2O2, NaN3 and the polyphenol trans-resveratrol and is located extracellularly. Expression of SOD isoenzymes increases when •O2- is induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and the increase is proportional to the dose of energy applied, indicating that these enzymes are actively involved in cellular protection against oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iria Folgueira
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Research and Food Analysis, Campus Vida, University of Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jesús Lamas
- Department of Fundamental Biology, Institute of Aquaculture, Campus Vida, University of Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ana Paula de Felipe
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Research and Food Analysis, Campus Vida, University of Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rosa Ana Sueiro
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Research and Food Analysis, Campus Vida, University of Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José Manuel Leiro
- Department of Fundamental Biology, Institute of Aquaculture, Campus Vida, University of Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Zhang T, Fan X, Gao F, Al-Farraj SA, El-Serehy HA, Song W. Further analyses on the phylogeny of the subclass Scuticociliatia (Protozoa, Ciliophora) based on both nuclear and mitochondrial data. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 139:106565. [PMID: 31326515 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
So far, the phylogenetic studies on ciliated protists have mainly based on single locus, the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA). In order to avoid the limitations of single gene/genome trees and to add more data to systematic analyses, information from mitochondrial DNA sequence has been increasingly used in different lineages of ciliates. The systematic relationships in the subclass Scuticociliatia are extremely confused and largely unresolved based on nuclear genes. In the present study, we have characterized 72 new sequences, including 40 mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) sequences, 29 mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA (mtSSU-rDNA) sequences and three nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (nSSU-rDNA) sequences from 47 isolates of 44 morphospecies. Phylogenetic analyses based on single gene as well as concatenated data were performed and revealed: (1) compared to mtSSU-rDNA, COI gene reveals more consistent relationships with those of nSSU-rDNA; (2) the secondary structures of mtSSU-rRNA V4 region are predicted and compared in scuticociliates, which can contribute to discrimination of closely related species; (3) neither nuclear nor mitochondrial data support the monophyly of the order Loxocephalida, which may represent some divergent and intermediate lineages between the subclass Scuticociliatia and Hymenostomatia; (4) the assignments of thigmotrichids to the order Pleuronematida and the confused taxon Sulcigera comosa to the genus Histiobalantium are confirmed by mitochondrial genes; (5) both nuclear and mitochondrial data reveal that the species in the family Peniculistomatidae always group in the genus Pleuronema, suggesting that peniculistomatids are more likely evolved from Pleuronema-like ancestors; (6) mitochondrial genes support the monophyly of the order Philasterida, but the relationships among families of the order Philasterida remain controversial due to the discrepancies between their morphological and molecular data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengteng Zhang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Xinpeng Fan
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241 China
| | - Feng Gao
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266003, China.
| | - Saleh A Al-Farraj
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamed A El-Serehy
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Weibo Song
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266003, China.
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Lama R, Pereiro P, Costa MM, Encinar JA, Medina-Gali RM, Pérez L, Lamas J, Leiro J, Figueras A, Novoa B. Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) Nk-lysin induces protection against the pathogenic parasite Philasterides dicentrarchi via membrane disruption. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 82:190-199. [PMID: 30086378 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
P. dicentrarchi is one of the most threatening pathogens for turbot aquaculture. This protozoan ciliate is a causative agent of scuticociliatosis, which is a disease with important economic consequences for the sector. Neither vaccines nor therapeutic treatments are commercially available to combat this infection. Numerous antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have demonstrated broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and even tumor cells; an example is Nk-lysin (Nkl), which is an AMP belonging to the saposin-like protein (SAPLIP) family with an ability to interact with biological membranes. Following the recent characterization of turbot Nkl, an expression plasmid encoding Nkl was constructed and an anti-Nkl polyclonal antibody was successfully tested. Using these tools, we demonstrated that although infection did not clearly affect nkl mRNA expression, it induced changes at the protein level. Turbot Nkl had the ability to inhibit proliferation of the P. dicentrarchi parasite both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, a shortened peptide containing the active core of turbot Nkl (Nkl71-100) was synthesized and showed high antiparasitic activity with a direct effect on parasite viability that probably occurred via membrane disruption. Therefore, the nkl gene may be a good candidate for genetic breeding selection of fish, and either the encoded peptide or its shortened analog is a promising antiparasitic treatment in aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lama
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Vigo, Spain
| | - P Pereiro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Vigo, Spain
| | - M M Costa
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Vigo, Spain
| | - J A Encinar
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular (IBMC), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - R M Medina-Gali
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular (IBMC), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - L Pérez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular (IBMC), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - J Lamas
- Departamento de Biología Funcional e Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - J Leiro
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Instituto de Investigación y Análisis Alimentarios, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - A Figueras
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Vigo, Spain
| | - B Novoa
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Vigo, Spain.
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METAGENOMIC NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING REVEALS MIAMIENSIS AVIDUS (CILIOPHORA: SCUTICOCILIATIDA) IN THE 2017 EPIZOOTIC OF LEOPARD SHARKS ( TRIAKIS SEMIFASCIATA) IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY, CALIFORNIA, USA. J Wildl Dis 2018; 55:375-386. [PMID: 30289337 DOI: 10.7589/2018-04-097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
During March to August of 2017, hundreds of leopard sharks ( Triakis semifasciata) stranded and died on the shores of San Francisco Bay, California, US. Similar mass stranding events occurred in 1967 and 2011, but analysis of those epizootics was incomplete, and no etiology was confirmed. Our investigation of the 2017 epizootic revealed severe meningoencephalitis in stranded sharks, raising suspicion for infection. We pursued a strategy for unbiased pathogen detection using metagenomic next-generation sequencing followed by orthogonal validation and further screening. We showed that the ciliated protozoan pathogen, Miamiensis avidus, was present in the central nervous system of leopard ( n=12) and other shark species ( n=2) that stranded in San Francisco Bay but was absent in leopard sharks caught elsewhere. This ciliated protozoan has been implicated in devastating outbreaks in teleost marine fish but not in wild elasmobranchs. Our results highlight the benefits of adopting unbiased metagenomic sequencing in the study of wildlife health and disease.
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Folgueira I, de Felipe AP, Sueiro RA, Lamas J, Leiro J. Protocol for cryopreservation of the turbot parasite Philasterides dicentrarchi (Ciliophora, Scuticociliatia). Cryobiology 2017; 80:77-83. [PMID: 29180274 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2017.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Philasterides dicentrarchi is a free-living marine ciliate that can become an endoparasite that causes a severe disease called scuticociliatosis in cultured fish. Long-term maintenance of this scuticociliate in the laboratory is currently only possible by subculture, with periodic passage in fish to maintain the virulence of the isolates. In this study, we developed and optimized a cryopreservation protocol similar to that used for the long-term storage of scuticociliates of the genus Miamiensis. The cryogenic medium comprised ATCC medium 1651 and a combination of 11% dimethylsulfoxide and 5% glycerol. We have verified that the most important factor ensuring the efficiency of the cryopreservation procedure is the growth phase of the culture, and that ciliates should be cryopreserved at the stationary phase (around the sixth day of culture). The cryopreservation protocol described here can be used for all strains of P. dicentrarchi as well as commercial strains of Miamiensis and enables the virulence of the strains to be maintained. Finally, this cryopreservation protocol has been shown to be more effective than others routinely applied to scuticociliates, yielding a higher survival rate with a lower initial concentration of ciliates. The results obtained indicate that the cropreservation protocol enables the long-term storage of scuticociliate parasites while maintaining the virulence of the isolates. The protocol is therefore suitable for use in vaccine production and related studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Folgueira
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Instituto de Investigación y Análisis Alimentarios, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - A P de Felipe
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Instituto de Investigación y Análisis Alimentarios, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - R A Sueiro
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Instituto de Investigación y Análisis Alimentarios, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Departamento de Biología Funcional, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - J Lamas
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - J Leiro
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Instituto de Investigación y Análisis Alimentarios, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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