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López-Verdejo A, Occhibove F, Uberti BD, Montero FE, Santoro M. Mass mortality event of round sardinella Sardinella aurita Valenciennes associated with Glugea Thélohan, 1891 microsporidian infection off the southern Italian coast. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2024:e13995. [PMID: 38953156 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Intracellular parasites of the genus Glugea Thélohan, 1891 (Microsporidia) comprise about 34 putative species capable of causing high morbidity and mortality in freshwater and marine teleost fishes. In this study, we report on the first mass mortality event associated with Glugea sp. infecting free-ranging round sardinella Sardinella aurita in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy). Here, we describe the ultrastructure of mature spores of this microsporidian and characterize it molecularly, as well as report its phylogenetic position. Most of the affected fish showed an irregular swelling of its abdomen. At necropsy, a variable number of xenomas, spherical to ellipsoidal in shape, were found in the peritoneal cavity strongly attached to the viscera of all fish. Histological analysis revealed varying severity of chronic inflammation along with occasional necrosis in visceral organs associated with multiple xenoma proliferation. These pathological findings were considered the main cause of this mass mortality event. Morphologically, the present material was closely related to G. sardinellesis and G. thunni. The phylogenetically closest taxa to the newly SSU rDNA sequence were G. thunni and an erroneusly identified G. plecoglossi, which were very closely related to each other, also suggesting that all these sequences might belong to the same species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro López-Verdejo
- Marine Zoology Unit, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Paterna, Spain
| | - Flavia Occhibove
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Francisco E Montero
- Marine Zoology Unit, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Paterna, Spain
| | - Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
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Ramdani S, Ramdane Z, Slamovits CH, Trilles JP. G lugea sp. infecting Sardinella aurita in Algeria. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:672-685. [PMID: 36091289 PMCID: PMC9458822 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01483-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitological examination of the commercially important pelagic fish Sardinella aurita Valenciennes, 1847 (Clupeidae) from the Eastern coast of Algeria revealed xenomas in the peritoneal cavity, suggesting a microsporidian infection. The prevalence of the disease was approximately 30% on average, higher in smaller individuals and showing significant seasonal variation. The xenomas contained numerous ellipsoidal spores, surrounded by a dense layer of connective tissue. Spore sizes were 6.10 ± 0.38 µm length and 3.54 ± 0.43 µm width. Ultrastructural examination by transmission electron microscopy showed various development stages of the parasite, including meronts, sporonts, sporoblasts and mature spores. The internal organization of the mature spores, with a single nucleus, prominent posterior vacuole, a lamellar polaroplast and an isofilar polar tube arranged in a single row, was typical of the genus Glugea. The DNA sequence of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene confirmed that this parasite belongs to the genus Glugea. Genetic and morphologic comparison with G. sardinellensis, a species previously described in the same host from Tunisia shows many similarities, although some molecular and morphometric inconsistencies precluded the unambiguous assignment of our samples to G. sardinellensis. At the same time, we do not find sufficient grounds to erect a new taxon for our parasite. We discuss the implications of our findings for the current state of the systematics of Glugea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souhila Ramdani
- Laboratoire de Zoologie Appliquée et d’Ecophysiologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université de Bejaia, 06000 Bejaïa, Algeria
| | - Zouhir Ramdane
- Laboratoire de Zoologie Appliquée et d’Ecophysiologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université de Bejaia, 06000 Bejaïa, Algeria
| | - Claudio H. Slamovits
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Comparative Genomics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Jean-Paul Trilles
- UMR 5119 (CNRS-UM2-IRD-UM1-IFREMER), Équipe Adaptation Écophysiologique Et Ontogenèse, Université de Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France
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Llarena-Reino M, Abollo E, Pascual S. Microsporidians xenomas of anglerfish from NE Atlantic waters. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2017; 40:1587-1598. [PMID: 28548703 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The presence of emergent visible parasites at commercial valuable fish species is increasingly causing problems at fisheries and seafood industries. Microsporidians have been previously reported to appear forming apparent xenomas complexes in anglerfish species, but no effort has been carried out to simultaneously integrate epidemiological data, phenotypic, genotypic and fine structural characterizations in the same parasite sample. In this work, specimens of Lophius budegassa and Lophius piscatorius from NE Atlantic waters were sampled and examined to provide information about specific site of infection and demographic data of two groups of different sizes of xenomas present at both fish species. Histological descriptions and scanning and transmission electron microscopy were carried out on fresh spores of Lophius budegassa for ultrastructural studies. In both types of xenomas, it was observed simultaneously the microsporidian genus Spraguea in the form of two different types of spores. Molecular analyses of both xenomas from the two fish species, based on the small subunit ribosomal DNA gene, were also performed to genetically support the morphological diagnostic provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Llarena-Reino
- Ecobiomar, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
- CESAM & Department of Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - E Abollo
- Centro Tecnológico del Mar (Fundación CETMAR), Vigo, Spain
| | - S Pascual
- Ecobiomar, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
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Arnott SA., Dyková I, Roumillat WA, de Buron I. Pathogenic endoparasites of the spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus: patterns of infection in estuaries of South Carolina, USA. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1729-1743. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5449-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Ryan JA, Kohler SL. Distribution, prevalence, and pathology of a microsporidian infecting freshwater sculpins. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2016; 118:195-206. [PMID: 27025307 DOI: 10.3354/dao02974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidian infections are common in many fish species, yet detailed studies of these parasites in ecologically important wild populations are rare. Phylogenetic analysis using rDNA sequence data and parasite morphology indicate that mottled sculpin Cottus bairdii and slimy sculpin C. cognatus are hosts for Glugea sp. microsporidia in the northern USA. Glugea sp. is common in the Michigan populations sampled for this study, and prevalence was ≥ 70% in 4 of 6 infected populations (range -4 to 80%). Glugea sp. infection causes the formation of xenomas associated with the body wall, fat body, gonads, and kidneys. Infections range from mild to very heavy, with variable xenoma numbers and sizes. Female sculpin experience heavier infections and more frequent infection of the gonads relative to males. Glugea sp. is transmitted horizontally between hosts through ingestion of spores. Vertical transmission may also be possible, either by spores infecting eggs directly or by spores contaminating the surface of eggs in the ovary or in the nest. The frequency and route of vertical transmission requires further study, but if it occurs, it may partly explain the high prevalence of infection. Our study combined with previous research suggests that additional molecular data and cross-infection experiments should be conducted to clarify species designations in the genus Glugea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Ryan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program, Western Michigan University, 1903 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5410, USA
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Miwa S, Kiryu I, Yuasa K, Ito T, Kaneko T. Pathogenesis of acute and chronic diseases caused by cyprinid herpesvirus-3. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2015; 38:695-712. [PMID: 25073413 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of cyprinid herpesvirus-3 (CyHV-3) was studied using different lineages of carp/koi. After exposure to the virus, infected cells were first found in the skin by histopathology and by in situ hybridization. The epidermis of the skin was most severely damaged and often sloughed off in the fish sampled on days 5 through 8, and the fish that were highly sensitive to the virus died within 8 or 10 days after infection. Serum osmolality of the infected fish, particularly just before death, was significantly lower, suggesting that the osmotic shock consequent on the damage to the skin was the direct cause of the acute deaths. On the other hand, clinical and histopathological observations indicate that the carp of a less sensitive lineage most probably died of viral encephalitis around 3 weeks after infection. For these fish, the largest number of infected cells was found in the central nervous system (CNS) sampled on day 12. A substantial amount of viral genome was found in the CNS of carp surviving more than 1 year after the infection. Thus, the CNS is probably a major target for CyHV-3, and the virus can persistently infect the CNS, presumably establishing latency.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Miwa
- National Research Institute of Aquaculture, Fisheries Research Agency, Minami-ise, Mie, Japan
| | - I Kiryu
- National Research Institute of Aquaculture, Fisheries Research Agency, Minami-ise, Mie, Japan
| | - K Yuasa
- National Research Institute of Aquaculture, Fisheries Research Agency, Minami-ise, Mie, Japan
| | - T Ito
- Inland Station, National Research Institute of Aquaculture, Fisheries Research Agency, Tamaki, Mie, Japan
| | - T Kaneko
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Sanders JL, Peterson TS, Kent ML. Early development and tissue distribution of Pseudoloma neurophilia in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2014; 61:238-46. [PMID: 24411000 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Revised: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The early proliferative stages of the microsporidian parasite, Pseudoloma neurophilia were visualized in larval zebrafish, Danio rerio, using histological sections with a combination of an in situ hybridization probe specific to the P. neurophilia small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene, standard hematoxylin-eosin stain, and the Luna stain to visualize spores. Beginning at 5 d post fertilization, fish were exposed to P. neurophilia and examined at 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h post exposure (hpe). At 12 hpe, intact spores in the intestinal lumen and proliferative stages developing in the epithelial cells of the anterior intestine and the pharynx and within hepatocytes were observed. Proliferative stages were visualized in the pancreas and kidney at 36-48 hpe and in the spinal cord, eye, and skeletal muscle beginning at 72 hpe. The first spore stages of P. neurophilia were observed at 96 hpe in the pharyngeal epithelium, liver, spinal cord, and skeletal muscle. The parasite was only observed in the brain of larval fish at 120 hpe. The distribution of the early stages of P. neurophilia and the lack of mature spores until 96 hpe indicates that the parasite gains access to organs distant from the initial site of entry, likely by penetrating the intestinal wall with the polar tube.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin L Sanders
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
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Ultrastructural and molecular studies of Microgemma carolinus n. sp. (Microsporidia), a parasite of the fish Trachinotus carolinus (Carangidae) in Southern Brazil. Parasitology 2012; 139:1720-8. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182012001011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYA new species of Microsporidia Microgemma carolinus n. sp. found in the marine teleost Trachinotus carolinus collected in Florianópolis, Brazil was described based on light, ultrastructural and phylogenetic studies. This parasite developed in the liver forming whitish xenomas that contained different developmental stages with monokaryotic nuclei. The periphery of the xenoma presented some vacuolization and possessed several small projections in the membrane. The mature spores, measuring 3·8 ± 0·4 μm in length and 2·4 ± 0·4 μm in width, were slightly pyriform to ellipsoidal and had rounded ends. The polaroplast was bipartite and the isofilar polar filament was coiled with 8 – 9 turns in a single or double row at the posterior end of the spore. The nucleus was voluminous and in a central position, measuring ∼0·9 μm in diameter. A large posterior vacuole appeared as a pale area, occupying about a third of the spore length. The SSU rRNA gene was sequenced and analysed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and neighbour-joining methods. This study allowed us to conclude that this was a new species of the genus Microgemma, being the first description of this genus from among South America fauna.
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