Kawahara G, Takayama Y, Sugiyama M, Ikadai H, Hashimoto O. Dermocystidinfection in Japanese fire-bellied newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster.
J Vet Med Sci 2022;
84:1410-1416. [PMID:
36047163 PMCID:
PMC9586028 DOI:
10.1292/jvms.22-0233]
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Abstract
Here, we report details of a new infectious disease in wild-caught Japanese fire-bellied
newts (Cynops pyrrhogaster), a Near Threatened species. Skin lesions
consisting of numerous masses were found in the animals near Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture,
Japan. The gross appearance of the skin lesions showed blister-, cyst-, and/or tumor-like
morphology. Various sizes of skin lesions were observed on their entire body surface.
Histologically, spherical basophilic cysts, including numerous spores, were observed in
the dermis layer. Ultrastructural analysis indicated the presence of main bodies of
flagellated zoospores within the spores. While 18s rRNA gene sequencing indicated that the
skin lesions were due to dermocystid infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report
of dermocystid infection in this amphibian in Japan. Further studies are needed to prevent
epidemics and to establish diagnostic and treatment methods.
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