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Diseases of Aquatic Organisms Oct 2019In Northern Ireland, the amphipods Gammarus duebeni celticus (native) and G. pulex (invasive) coexist in some places, whilst in others the native species has been...
In Northern Ireland, the amphipods Gammarus duebeni celticus (native) and G. pulex (invasive) coexist in some places, whilst in others the native species has been replaced by the invader. We explored the role of parasites in mediating interactions between these amphipods, which demonstrate mutual intraguild predation (IGP: predation between animals that also compete for prey). IGP and cannibalism can be important factors in structuring populations and communities. We investigated the effects of parasitism on rates of IGP between G. d. celticus and G. pulex and on cannibalism within each species by comparing functional responses (FRs: relationships between the use of a prey resource and its availability). Infection with the microsporidian Pleistophora mulleri caused an increase in IGP and cannibalism by G. d. celticus, which showed increased attack rates and reduced prey handling times. In contrast, infection with the acanthocephalan parasite Echinorhynchus truttae did not alter IGP or cannibalism by G. pulex. A prey preference experiment revealed that both amphipods were more likely to feed on heterospecific rather than conspecific prey, and this was also corroborated by the fact that overall IGP FRs were higher than cannibalism FRs. This may be selectively advantageous, as feeding on heterospecific prey removes possible competitors without the risk of consuming juvenile kin or acquiring parasites from infected conspecifics. Infection of the native G. d. celticus with P. mulleri enhanced IGP on the invasive G. pulex, which is likely to facilitate the coexistence of the 2 species.
Topics: Amphipoda; Animals; Cannibalism; Host-Parasite Interactions; Introduced Species; Pleistophora; Predatory Behavior
PubMed: 31575836
DOI: 10.3354/dao03415 -
Journal of the American Association For... Jul 2017Molecular diagnostic assays offer both exquisite sensitivity and the ability to test a wide variety of sample types. Various types of environmental sample, such as... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Molecular diagnostic assays offer both exquisite sensitivity and the ability to test a wide variety of sample types. Various types of environmental sample, such as detritus and concentrated water, might provide a useful adjunct to sentinels in routine zebrafish health monitoring. Similarly, antemortem sampling would be advantageous for expediting zebrafish quarantine, without euthanasia of valuable fish. We evaluated the detection of Mycobacterium chelonae, M. fortuitum, M. peregrinum, Pseudocapillaria tomentosa, and Pseudoloma neurophilia in zebrafish, detritus, pooled feces, and filter membranes after filtration of 1000-, 500-, and 150-mL water samples by real-time PCR analysis. Sensitivity varied according to sample type and pathogen, and environmental sampling was significantly more sensitive than zebrafish sampling for detecting Mycobacterium spp. but not for Pseudocapillaria neurophilia or Pseudoloma tomentosa. The results of these experiments provide strong evidence of the utility of multiple sample types for detecting pathogens according to each pathogen's life cycle and ecological niche within zebrafish systems. In a separate experiment, zebrafish subclinically infected with M. chelonae, M. marinum, Pleistophora hyphessobryconis, Pseudocapillaria tomentosa, or Pseudoloma neurophilia were pair-spawned and individually tested with subsets of embryos from each clutch that received no rinse, a fluidizing rinse, or were surface-disinfected with sodium hypochlorite. Frequently, one or both parents were subclinically infected with pathogen(s) that were not detected in any embryo subset. Therefore, negative results from embryo samples may not reflect the health status of the parent zebrafish.
Topics: Animals; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Fish Diseases; Infections; Microsporidia; Mycobacterium; Nematoda; Quarantine; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Zebrafish
PubMed: 28724491
DOI: No ID Found -
PloS One 2016Four sea snakes (two Hydrophis major, one Hydrophis platurus, one Hydrophis elegans) were found washed ashore on different beaches in the Sunshine Coast region and...
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.
Topics: Animals; Elapidae; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Phylogeny; Queensland; Species Specificity
PubMed: 27007116
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150724 -
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms Dec 2000This study presents the ultrastructure of the microsporidian infecting the trunk musculature of Anguilla japonica and originally described as Pleistophora anguillarum...
This study presents the ultrastructure of the microsporidian infecting the trunk musculature of Anguilla japonica and originally described as Pleistophora anguillarum Hoshina, 1959. All stages develop within a special structure, the sporophorocyst (SPC), which is equipped with a thick dense wall. This wall grows along with the growth of the parasites within it. Meronts are uni- to binucleate, which divide and steadily give rise to sporonts. During transition to sporonts the cell coat of the meronts increases its thickness, temporarily featuring thick irregular projections. Eventually a uniformly thick sporont wall is formed, then the sporont cells detach themselves from the wall (= future wall of the sporophorous vesicle, SPV) and start a series of divisions to produce sporoblasts. The SPV wall is compact, has no pores and consists of 2 layers. The presence of the SPC justifies the transfer of the species into the genus Heterosporis. Spores from disrupted SPCs are ingested by macrophages and within them are spread into various body tissues including the outermost layers of the epidermis. From here, they can easily be released to the outside and can contaminate the environment while the host is still alive.
Topics: Anguilla; Animals; Fish Diseases; Microscopy, Electron; Microsporidia; Microsporidiosis; Muscles
PubMed: 11206738
DOI: 10.3354/dao043225 -
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms Jun 2011Microsporidia in histologic sections are most often diagnosed by observing spores in host tissues. Spores are easy to identify if they occur in large aggregates or...
Microsporidia in histologic sections are most often diagnosed by observing spores in host tissues. Spores are easy to identify if they occur in large aggregates or xenomas when sections are stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). However, individual spores are not frequently detected in host tissues with conventional H&E staining, particularly if spores are scattered within the tissues, areas of inflammation, or small spores in nuclei (i.e. Nucleospora salmonis). Hence, a variety of selective stains that enhance visualization of spores is recommended. We discovered that the Luna stain, used to highlight eosinophils, red blood cells, and chitin in arthropods and other invertebrates, also stains spores of Pseudoloma neurophilia. We compared this stain to the Gram, Fite's acid fast, Giemsa, and H&E stains on 8 aquatic microsporidian organisms that were readily available in our 2 laboratories: Loma salmonae, Glugea anomala, Pseudoloma neurophilia, Pleistophora hyphessobryconis, Pleistophora vermiformis, Glugea sp., Steinhausia mytilovum, and an unidentified microsporidian from UK mitten crabs Eriocheir sinensis. Based on tinctorial properties and background staining, the Luna stain performed better for detection of 6 of the 8 microsporidia. Gram stain was superior for the 2 microsporidia from invertebrates: S. mytilovum and the unidentified microsporidian from E. sinensis.
Topics: Animals; Brachyura; Coloring Agents; Fishes; Microsporidia; Mycoses; Mytilus; Spores, Fungal; Staining and Labeling
PubMed: 21848126
DOI: 10.3354/dao02346 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Feb 1995Human microsporidiosis is a parasitic infection due to species of four different genera: Encephalitozoon; Enterocytozoon; Nosema; and Pleistophora. Although well known...
Human microsporidiosis is a parasitic infection due to species of four different genera: Encephalitozoon; Enterocytozoon; Nosema; and Pleistophora. Although well known as a cause of disease in animals, microsporidiosis was only occasionally reported in humans. Recently, in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, microsporidia belonging to Encephalitozoon and Enterocytozoon species have proved to be important opportunistic pathogens. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is associated with chronic intermittent diarrhea, cholangiopathy and sinusitis whereas Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon hellem and Encephalitozoon cuniculi, the three Encephalitozoon species found in humans, are associated with diarrhea, rhinosinusitis, keratoconjunctivitis, nephritis and hepatitis. Diagnosis of microsporidial infections in humans was until recently an invasive, laborious procedure including electron microscopy of small intestine biopsies. However, new simple staining methods using Uvitex 2B or modified trichrome stain for feces and other body fluids have facilitated clinical diagnosis as well as drug evaluation and epidemiological studies. The application of monoclonal antibodies and molecular techniques such as the polymerase chain reaction have further improved microsporidial diagnosis. Treatment of Entero. bieneusi has, until now, been unsuccessful whereas albendazole has proved to be an effective treatment for Encephalitozoon species infection. Identification of effective treatment for Entero. bieneusi infections and further study of the pathogenicity of these microsporidial infections in immunocompetent hosts are important future challenges.
PubMed: 11866734
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.1995.tb00450.x -
Royal Society Open Science Mar 2015Cannibalism is ubiquitous in nature and especially pervasive in consumers with stage-specific resource utilization in resource-limited environments. Cannibalism is thus...
Cannibalism is ubiquitous in nature and especially pervasive in consumers with stage-specific resource utilization in resource-limited environments. Cannibalism is thus influential in the structure and functioning of biological communities. Parasites are also pervasive in nature and, we hypothesize, might affect cannibalism since infection can alter host foraging behaviour. We investigated the effects of a common parasite, the microsporidian Pleistophora mulleri, on the cannibalism rate of its host, the freshwater amphipod Gammarus duebeni celticus. Parasitic infection increased the rate of cannibalism by adults towards uninfected juvenile conspecifics, as measured by adult functional responses, that is, the rate of resource uptake as a function of resource density. This may reflect the increased metabolic requirements of the host as driven by the parasite. Furthermore, when presented with a choice, uninfected adults preferred to cannibalize uninfected rather than infected juvenile conspecifics, probably reflecting selection pressure to avoid the risk of parasite acquisition. By contrast, infected adults were indiscriminate with respect to infection status of their victims, probably owing to metabolic costs of infection and the lack of risk as the cannibals were already infected. Thus parasitism, by enhancing cannibalism rates, may have previously unrecognized effects on stage structure and population dynamics for cannibalistic species and may also act as a selective pressure leading to changes in resource use.
PubMed: 26064614
DOI: 10.1098/rsos.140369 -
Folia Parasitologica 1991In the years 1985-1988, a total of 254 specimens of the roach, Rutilus rutilus, captured in 23 localities of South Bohemia, were examined for the presence of protozoan...
In the years 1985-1988, a total of 254 specimens of the roach, Rutilus rutilus, captured in 23 localities of South Bohemia, were examined for the presence of protozoan parasites. Only 17 specimens (6.7%) were free of infection, whereas the others were infected at least with one parasite species, mixed infections were observed most frequently. The following species were found rarely: Myxidium rhodei Léger, 1905 in the liver and muscles. Pleistophora mirandellae Vaney et Conte, 1901 in ovaries, Trichodina nemachili Lom, 1960 on the skin, Trichodina prowazeki Grupcheva et Lom, 1980 on the skin (the first finding in Czechoslovakia). The data concerning localization of individual parasites and their prevalence are presented and five protozoan species described in detail.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Cyprinidae; Czechoslovakia; Eukaryota; Female; Fish Diseases; Gallbladder; Gills; Intestines; Liver; Ovary; Protozoan Infections; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Skin; Spleen; Urinary Tract
PubMed: 1916526
DOI: No ID Found -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Sep 2011The Phylum Microsporidia comprises >1,200 species, only 15 of which are known to infect humans, including the genera Trachipleistophora, Pleistophora, and Brachiola. We...
The Phylum Microsporidia comprises >1,200 species, only 15 of which are known to infect humans, including the genera Trachipleistophora, Pleistophora, and Brachiola. We report an infection by Tubulinosema sp. in an immunosuppressed patient.
Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Aged; Fatal Outcome; Female; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Microsporidia; Muscle, Skeletal; Myositis
PubMed: 21888805
DOI: 10.3201/eid1709.101926 -
Mikrobiyoloji Bulteni Oct 2018Microsporidia, obligate intracellular parasites, were first defined by Nageli in 1857. Microsporidia phylum consists of 200 genus and 1500 species. They have a wide host...
[Investigation of Microsporidia prevalence with calcofluor white and uvitex 2B chemiluminescence staining methods and molecular analysis of species in diarrheal patients].
Microsporidia, obligate intracellular parasites, were first defined by Nageli in 1857. Microsporidia phylum consists of 200 genus and 1500 species. They have a wide host spectrum including insects, fish, and mammals. It has been shown that they may also infect humans and may be existed both in symptomatic and asymptomatic forms. There are eight species infecting humans, which include Anncaliia (Brachiola, Nosema), Encephalitozoon, Entrocytozoon, Microsporidium, Nosema, Pleistophora, Trachipleistophor, and Vittaforma. The species most commonly infect humans are Encephalitozoon intestinalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Microsporidia by using two different chemiluminescence stains, namely uvitex 2B and calcoflour and detect species by molecular analysis in diarrheal patients. For this purpose, we studied stool samples of 200 patients with diarrhea sent to Gazi University Health Practice and Research Hospital, Microbiology Laboratory and Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital Microbiology Laboratory between 2012-2013. The stool samples were stained with chemiluminescent stains uvitex 2B and calcoflour methods; the Microsporidia prevalence was found to be 38% (77/200) by fluorescent microscopic examination. Statistically an excellent consistency was found between the chemiluminescent stains uvitex 2B and calcoflour (Cohen's kappa= 0.881). A statistical analysis for the consistency of uvitex 2B and calcoflour in terms of numerical density (low, high) and luminescence of spores (dim, bright) showed a moderate consistency between the two stains with respect to determining numerical density of spores (Cohen's kappa= 0.354), while there was no consistency in terms of luminescence of spores (Cohen's Kappa= 0.001). No significant difference was found between the Microsporidia prevalence with respect to age group or clinics (p > 0.05). A sex-based analysis showed that Microsporidia prevalence was more common in women (50%) than men (30.8%) (p< 0.05). In 77 samples that were detected positive for Microsporidia with uvitex 2B and calcoflour stains determination of genus and species level were done by using multiplex nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. With this technique, seven (9.1%) of 77 isolates were detected as E.bieneusi, and 70 (90.9%) as Encephalitozoon spp. When the Microsporidia genus was considered, the Microsporidia prevalence did not show differences with respect to age, sex, and referring clinics (p> 0.05). In our study 44 (62.9%) of 70 Encephalitozoon spp. were E.intestinalis, 22 (31.4%) were E.cuniculi, and 4 (5.7%) were E. hellem. No statistical difference was found in the distribution of Encephalitozoon spp. with age, sex, and referring clinic (p> 0.05). We concluded that examination of stool samples with the chemiluminescent stain uvitex 2B and/or calcoflour would be useful for the initial stage of Microsporidia diagnosis; furthermore, the multiplex nested PCR method was considered useful for determination of genus and species. In our country, there is a small number of molecular reports about Microsporidia prevalence in stool samples. Molecular methods should be used more commonly for the evaluation of treatment options in diarrheal patients and detection of Microsporidia epidemiology.
Topics: Animals; Benzenesulfonates; Diarrhea; Encephalitozoon; Feces; Female; Genes, Fungal; Humans; Luminescence; Male; Microsporidia; Microsporidiosis; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Staining and Labeling
PubMed: 30522425
DOI: 10.5578/mb.67363