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1.
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd ; 1632019 05 03.
Article in Dutch | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31120207

ABSTRACT

Teenagers with torticollis In this article we describe three cases of children with torticollis. A 17-year-old patient who appears to have Klippel-Feil syndrome and is treated conservatively. An 11-year-old-patient with torticollis, present since a fall two days earlier and attributed to a subluxation of C1-C2. Ultimately, she had to be treated surgically with an atlantoaxial spondylodesis and has made a good recovery. Finally, a 15-year-old who presents with torticollis which has been present from early childhood. The diagnosis neglected congenital muscular torticollis is made. Because of increasing discomfort she is treated surgically with release of the sternocleidomastoideus. Postoperative, the patient has fewer symptoms. Physicians should be aware of different causes when there is persistent torticollis. Furthermore, children presenting with posttraumatic torticollis require a strict follow-up because atlanto-axial subluxation can lead to permanent deformity.


Subject(s)
Atlanto-Axial Joint/abnormalities , Joint Dislocations/etiology , Torticollis/congenital , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Joint Dislocations/diagnosis , Male , Torticollis/complications , Torticollis/diagnosis
2.
J Invertebr Pathol ; 153: 99-108, 2018 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29501663

ABSTRACT

Ciliates have been reported as pathogens of many species of economically important bivalves. Mussel protozoan X (MPX), is an uncharacterised intracellular ciliate of mussels and has been widely reported in Mytilus spp. around the world. In order to characterise this ciliate, Mytilus edulis samples were collected from a site on the West coast of Scotland, and four different fixatives for histological examination were tested. Fresh preparations of mussel digestive glands were also examined by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Intracellular ciliates were prepared by laser capture microdissection and partial sequences of small subunit ribosomal RNA gene and of large subunit ribosomal RNA gene were generated, using Phyllopharyngea primers. Methacarn solution proved to be the best fixative for both histological and molecular characterisation. The morphological and molecular investigations confirmed that this ciliate belongs to the class Phyllopharyngea, order Rhynchodida. However, this organism does not belong to any known family, genus or species, therefore, a new description is necessary, following further morphological analyses. Most mussel samples containing MPX displayed mild to moderate infections, with no signs of necrosis or haemocytic response, although a single sample displayed a severe infection (∼103 ciliates per section). The localisation of this ciliate in tissues other than the digestive gland, the presence of necrosis in infected tissue of the most severely infected mussel and the binary fission of this ciliate have been observed here for the first time. We also report the first observation of the live ciliate isolated from tissue. Although MPX remains of unknown significance to the mussel industry, tools and protocols described here will be useful in further characterising these and other ciliates (subclass Rhynchodia) known as pathogens for bivalves.


Subject(s)
Ciliophora , Mytilus edulis/parasitology , Animals , Ciliophora/genetics , Genes, Protozoan , Phylogeny
3.
J Fish Dis ; 40(5): 609-620, 2017 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27523398

ABSTRACT

The social media network Facebook™ was used to gather information on the occurrence and geographical distribution of dusky grouper dermatitis, a skin lesion affecting the dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus. Dusky grouper are common targets for spear fishermen in the Mediterranean and by monitoring spearfishing activity in Libyan waters, it was possible to document skin lesions from their entries on Facebook. Thirty-two Facebook accounts and 8 Facebook groups posting from 23 Libyan coastal cities provided a retrospective observational data set comprising a total of 382 images of dusky grouper caught by spearfishing between December 2011 and December 2015. Skin lesions were observable on 57/362 fish, for which images were of sufficient quality for analysis, giving a minimal prevalence for lesions of 15.75%. Only dusky grouper exceeding an estimated 40 cm total length exhibited lesions. The ability to collect useful data about the occurrence and geographical distribution of pathological conditions affecting wild fish using social media networks demonstrates their potential utility as a tool to support epidemiological studies and monitor the health of populations of aquatic animals. To our knowledge, this represents the first time that such an approach has been applied for assessing health in a wild population of fish.


Subject(s)
Bass , Dermatitis/veterinary , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Fish Diseases/diagnosis , Social Media , Animals , Dermatitis/classification , Dermatitis/diagnosis , Dermatitis/epidemiology , Environmental Monitoring/instrumentation , Fish Diseases/classification , Fish Diseases/epidemiology , Libya/epidemiology , Population Surveillance , Retrospective Studies , Social Media/statistics & numerical data
4.
PLoS One ; 11(7): e0159155, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27434377

ABSTRACT

Infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) is an orthomyxovirus that has had a significant economic impact on Atlantic salmon farming in Europe, North America and Chile. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were developed against Segment 3 (encoding the viral nucleoprotein, NP) of the virus. Six of the mAbs were shown to be specific to ISAV and recognised all isolates from Scotland, Norway and Canada. They reacted with ISAV in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFAT) and western blotting. They were also used to develop a novel detection method based on Luminex (Bio-Plex) bead-based flow cytometric technology for the detection of ISAV in the plasma of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolts experimentally infected with ISAV. Fish were challenged by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of virus at 50% Tissue Culture Infective Dose (TCID50) = 2.8 x106 per animal. Virus present in plasma of infected fish, collected at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 21 and 28 days post infection using a non-lethal sampling method (n = 12 at each time point), was quantified using the optimised Bio-Plex assay. The results obtained with this assay were compared with absolute quantification of the virus by RT-qPCR using SYBR Green I and TaqMan chemistries. The Bio-Plex assay developed using the NP mAbs appears to be a rapid, sensitive method for detecting and quantifying ISAV in small volumes of fish plasma and has the potential to be multiplexed for the detection of other fish pathogens (e.g. during co-infections). To our knowledge this is the first report of the use of Luminex (Bio-Plex) technology for the detection of a fish pathogen.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/blood , Isavirus/isolation & purification , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/blood , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology , Animals , Canada , Chile , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Europe , Fish Diseases/virology , Isavirus/pathogenicity , North America , Norway , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/veterinary , Salmo salar/blood , Salmo salar/virology , Scotland
5.
J Fish Dis ; 39(12): 1457-1466, 2016 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27144368

ABSTRACT

In the period 2013-2015, wild dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe), caught in Libyan coastal waters and ranging in size from 42 to 92 cm in total length, were observed to have distinctive skin lesions of unknown aetiology. Histopathologically, the lesions comprised a multifocal, unilateral or bilateral dermatitis, involving the epidermis, superficial dermis and scale pockets, and sometimes, in severe cases, the hypodermis. Severe lesions had marked epidermal spongiosis progressing to ulceration. Healing was observed in some fish. Bacteria and fungi could be isolated from severe lesions, although they were not seen histopathologically in early-stage lesions. By contrast, metazoan parasite eggs were observed in the dermis and epidermis of some fish with mild and moderate dermatitis. Unidentified gravid digenean trematode parasites carrying similar eggs were also seen within the blood vessels of the deep and superficial dermis. The cause of this distinctive condition, termed dusky grouper dermatitis (DGD), and its potential impact upon already threatened Mediterranean wild dusky grouper populations and upon cultured grouper more widely have yet to be established.


Subject(s)
Bass , Dermatitis/veterinary , Fish Diseases/pathology , Animals , Dermatitis/epidemiology , Dermatitis/etiology , Dermatitis/pathology , Endangered Species , Fish Diseases/epidemiology , Fish Diseases/microbiology , Fish Diseases/parasitology , Libya/epidemiology
6.
J Child Orthop ; 10(3): 235-40, 2016 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27207305

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Malunions of fractures in children have a natural tendency to remodel. However, quantitative data of this well-known process are scarce. The extent of the correction depends inter alia on the type of bone and the location of the deformity and growth remaining. The aim of this study was to quantify the remodeling process of distal radius malunions in children to allow better future prediction. METHODS: Data were derived from two published patient series. Analysis included 63 malunions of distal radius fractures in 62 children (38 boys), with a mean age of 8.5 years (range 2-14.5 years). RESULTS: The mean initial dorsovolar angulation was 25º [standard deviation (SD) 7.8°], remodeling time 22 (SD 18) months, and angulation at follow-up 6.7° (SD 5.8°). Based on these findings, the remodeling process can be described as an exponential function with angulation (A 0) as a factor and the remodeling time (RT) as a negative exponent of e (R (2) = 0.47). The function allows accurate prediction of the expected correction in over 76 % of the malunions. From this model, a formula was derived for calculation of the time needed for complete remodeling, but this formula lacked precision when compared to findings in the literature and needs to be validated. CONCLUSIONS: The remodeling of distal radius malunions can be described as an exponential function with starting speed dependent on the initial angulation. The current model proves to be more accurate than models described previously in the literature. These findings allow for better patient information and optimal planning of eventual surgical intervention. The postulated model could serve as a basis for the description of correction of other malunions by adaptation of the coefficients in this model.

7.
Parasitology ; 142(1): 196-270, 2015 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25438750

ABSTRACT

Parasites have a major impact on global finfish and shellfish aquaculture, having significant effects on farm production, sustainability and economic viability. Parasite infections and impacts can, according to pathogen and context, be considered to be either unpredictable/sporadic or predictable/regular. Although both types of infection may result in the loss of stock and incur costs associated with the control and management of infection, predictable infections can also lead to costs associated with prophylaxis and related activities. The estimation of the economic cost of a parasite event is frequently complicated by the complex interplay of numerous factors associated with a specific incident, which may range from direct production losses to downstream socio-economic impacts on livelihoods and satellite industries associated with the primary producer. In this study, we examine the world's major marine and brackish water aquaculture production industries and provide estimates of the potential economic costs attributable to a range of key parasite pathogens using 498 specific events for the purposes of illustration and estimation of costs. This study provides a baseline resource for risk assessment and the development of more robust biosecurity practices, which can in turn help mitigate against and/or minimise the potential impacts of parasite-mediated disease in aquaculture.


Subject(s)
Aquaculture/economics , Fishes/parasitology , Parasites/isolation & purification , Animals
8.
Aquat Toxicol ; 151: 114-23, 2014 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24439755

ABSTRACT

Concerns are being expressed recently over possible environmental effects of human pharmaceuticals. Although the likelihood of acute toxicity is low, the continuous discharge of pharmaceuticals into the aquatic environment means that sublethal effects on non-target organisms need to be seriously considered. One-year-old Atlantic salmon parr were exposed to 7.85±0.13µgL(-1) of the antidepressant drug Carbamazepine (CBZ) for five days to investigate changes of mRNA expression in the brain by means of a custom 17k Atlantic salmon cDNA microarray. The selected concentration is similar to upper levels that can be found in hospital and sewage treatment plant effluents. After treatment, 373 features were differently expressed with 26 showing up- or down-regulation of ≥2-fold (p≤0.05). Among the mRNAs showing the highest change were the pituitary hormones encoding features somatolactin, prolactin and somatotropin, or growth hormone. Functional enrichment and network analyses of up- and down-regulated genes showed that CBZ induced a highly different gene expression profile in comparison to untreated organisms. CBZ induced expression of essential genes of the focal adhesion and extracellular matrix - receptor interaction pathways most likely through integrin alpha-6 (itga6) activation. Negative regulation of apoptotic process, extracellular matrix organization and heme biosynthesis were the most enriched biological process related GO-terms, with the simultaneous enrichment of collagen and extracellular region related cellular component GO-terms, and extracellular matrix structural constituent, hormone activity and chromatin binding molecular function related GO-terms. These results show that relatively low doses of CBZ may affect brain physiology in exposed salmon parr, targeting similar processes as in human, indicating a high degree of conservation of targets of CBZ action. However, and since the mRNAs showing most changes in expression are critical for adaptation to different stressors and life history transitions in Atlantic salmon, more research should be undertaken to assess CBZ effects to avoid impairment of normal development and maintenance of natural populations.


Subject(s)
Brain/drug effects , Carbamazepine/toxicity , Salmo salar/genetics , Transcriptome/drug effects , Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity , Animals , Gene Expression Profiling
10.
Parasitology ; 140(6): 756-70, 2013 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23369461

ABSTRACT

The life cycle of the parasitic copepod Lernaeocera branchialis involves 2 hosts, typically a pleuronectiform host upon which development of larvae and mating of adults occurs and a subsequent gadoid host, upon which the adult female feeds and reproduces. Both the copepodid and adult female stages must therefore locate and identify a suitable host to continue the life cycle. Several mechanisms are potentially involved in locating a host and ensuring its suitability for infection. These may include mechano-reception to detect host movement and chemo-reception to recognize host-associated chemical cues, or kairomones. The aim of this study was to identify the role of kairomones in host location by adult L. branchialis, by analysing their behaviour in response to fish-derived chemicals. Experiments demonstrated that water conditioned by immersion of whiting, Merlangius merlangus, elicited host-seeking behaviour in L. branchialis, whereas cod- (Gadus morhua) conditioned water did not. Lernaeocera branchialis are considered a genetically homogeneous population infecting a range of gadoids. However, their differential response to whiting- and cod-derived chemicals in this study suggests that either there are genetically determined subspecies of L. branchialis or there is some form of environmental pre-conditioning that allows the parasite to preferentially recognize the host species from which it originated.


Subject(s)
Copepoda/physiology , Fish Diseases/parasitology , Gadiformes/parasitology , Gadus morhua/parasitology , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/parasitology , Pheromones/metabolism , Animals , Behavior, Animal , Female , Gadiformes/metabolism , Gadus morhua/metabolism , Host Specificity , Host-Parasite Interactions , Reproduction
11.
Fish Physiol Biochem ; 39(5): 1101-14, 2013 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23307174

ABSTRACT

This study examines the structural differentiation of the apical crypts of mitochondria-rich cells (MRCs) in Nile tilapia as a response to osmotic challenge. Larvae were transferred from freshwater at 3 days post-hatch to 12.5 and 20 ppt and were sampled at 24- and 48-h post-transfer. Scanning electron microscopy allowed quantification of MRCs, based on apical crypt appearance and surface area, resulting in a morphological classification of 'sub-types', that is, Type I or absorptive (surface area range 5.2-19.6 µm(2)), Type II or active absorptive form (surface area range 1.1-15.7 µm(2)), Type III or weakly functioning form (surface area range 0.08-4.6 µm(2)) and Type IV or active secreting form (surface area range 4.1-11.7 µm(2)). Mucus cell crypts were discriminated from those of MRCs based on the presence of globular extensions and quantified. Density and frequency of MRCs and mucus cells varied significantly according to the experimental salinity and time post-transfer; in freshwater-adapted larvae, all types were present except Type IV but, following transfer to elevated salinities, Type I and Type II disappeared and appeared to be replaced by Type IV crypts. Type III crypt density remained constant following transfer. Transmission electron microscopy with immunogold labelling, using a novel pre-fixation technique with anti-Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, allowed complementary ultrastructural visualisation of specific localisation of the antibodies on active MRCs, permitting a review of MRC apical morphology and related Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase binding sites.


Subject(s)
Cichlids/physiology , Mitochondria/physiology , Osmotic Pressure/physiology , Secretory Vesicles/ultrastructure , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Immunohistochemistry/veterinary , Ion Transport/physiology , Larva/cytology , Larva/physiology , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/veterinary , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/veterinary
12.
J Theor Biol ; 312: 22-33, 2012 Nov 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22842010

ABSTRACT

Argulus foliaceus is a macroparasite which can have a significant impact on yield in recreational trout fisheries, partly by increasing fish mortalities but also by reducing the appetite of infected fish, making them less likely to respond to bait. The aim of this paper is to determine the impact of four commonly used fish stocking methods both on the parasite dynamics, and on fisheries' yields. The wider consequences of the resultant reduction in host feeding are also of interest. To this end four different stocking methods were incorporated into Anderson and May's macroparasite model, which comprises three differential equations representing the host, attached parasite and free-living parasite populations. To each of these a reduction in the fish capture rate, inversely linked to the mean parasite burden, is added and the effects interpreted. Results show that (1) the common practise of increasing the stocking rate as catches drop may be counterproductive; (2) in the absence of any wild population of reservoir hosts, the parasite will be unable to survive if the stocking rate does not exceed the rate of capture; (3) compensatory stocking to account for fish mortalities can have disastrous consequences on yield; and (4) the parasite can, under certain circumstances, maintain the host population by preventing their capture.


Subject(s)
Arguloida/physiology , Fish Diseases/parasitology , Fisheries , Host-Parasite Interactions , Models, Biological , Trout/parasitology , Animals
13.
Parasitol Res ; 110(5): 1639-48, 2012 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22065059

ABSTRACT

Recent developments in semi-automated identification techniques and the increasing ability to rapidly access digital images and taxonomic descriptions offer to increase the range of individuals capable of performing taxonomic identifications. The present study details methodological approaches undertaken in developing a dedicated stain for the visualisation of monogenean haptoral skeletal elements and reproductive sclerites. The histochemical protocols centre around the use of fluorescent dyes and standard light and laser scanning confocal microscopy to support studies of the functional morphology of these hard structures in small, relatively uncompressed specimens, making these structures more amenable to semi-automated analysis and identification techniques. Staining of the sclerites was achieved using a tissue digestion step to remove the tegument and tissues enclosing the sclerites and then staining them in situ with 40 mM chromothrope 2R (C2R) containing 3 mM phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and 0.5% acetic acid (AA) at room temperature for up to 2 days. Visualisation of the armature of the male copulatory organ of warm water Gyrodactylus species was achieved using 40 mM C2R containing 3 mM PTA for 3 days, whilst cold water species were best stained in 6.4 mM C2R for 1 day without an NaOH pre-treatment. The developed techniques allow for good visualisation of the skeletal elements in a number of monogenean groups and promise to assist the preparation and identification/description of specimens. The 2D/3D digital images of specimens prepared in this manner should provide a useful resource for taxonomists and others needing material to assist specimen identification.


Subject(s)
Microscopy, Fluorescence/methods , Parasitology/methods , Platyhelminths/anatomy & histology , Staining and Labeling/methods , Animal Structures/anatomy & histology , Animals , Fishes/parasitology , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods , Male , Platyhelminths/classification , Platyhelminths/isolation & purification
14.
Parasitology ; 139(2): 149-90, 2012 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22078025

ABSTRACT

Infection by the ciliate protozoan Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet, 1876 causes significant economic losses in freshwater aquaculture worldwide. Following the ban on the use of malachite green for treating food fish, there has been extensive research aimed at identifying suitable replacements. In this paper we critically assess drug and non-drug interventions, which have been tested for use or have been employed against this parasite and evaluate possibilities for their application in farm systems. Current treatments include the administration of formaldehyde, sodium chloride (salt), copper sulphate and potassium permanganate. However, purportedly more environmentally friendly drugs such as humic acid, potassium ferrate (VI), bronopol and the peracetic acid-based products have recently been tested and represent promising alternatives. Further investigation, is required to optimize the treatments and to establish precise protocols in order to minimize the quantity of drug employed whilst ensuring the most efficacious performance. At the same time, there needs to be a greater emphasis placed on the non-drug aspects of management strategies, including the use of non-chemical interventions focusing on the removal of free-swimming stages and tomocysts of I. multifiliis from farm culture systems. Use of such strategies provides the hope of more environmentally friendly alternatives for the control of I. multifiliis infections.


Subject(s)
Antiprotozoal Agents/therapeutic use , Ciliophora Infections/veterinary , Ciliophora , Fish Diseases/drug therapy , Fish Diseases/parasitology , Animals , Aquaculture , Ciliophora Infections/drug therapy , Fishes
15.
J Fish Biol ; 79(3): 597-614, 2011 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21884103

ABSTRACT

Ontogenetic changes in the location, size, density and morphology of chloride cells in the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus adapted to fresh and brackish water are described using Na(+) /K(+) -ATPase immunohistochemistry, light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). The pattern of chloride cell distribution changed during development under both treatments, with chloride cell density decreasing significantly from hatch to 7 days post-hatch, but appearing on the inner opercular area at 3 days post-hatch and increasing significantly thereafter (P < 0·05). Chloride cells were always denser in fresh- than in brackish-water larvae. In both treatments, chloride cells located on the outer operculum and tail showed a marked increase in size with age, but cells located on the abdominal epithelium of the yolk sac and the inner operculum showed a significant decrease in size (P < 0·05). Chloride cells from brackish-water adapted larvae from 1 day post-hatch onwards were always significantly larger (P < 0·05) than those from freshwater-adapted larvae. SEM revealed structural differences in chloride cell apical morphology according to environmental conditions. There appears to be clearly defined temporal staging of the appearance of adaptive mechanisms that confer an ability to cope with varying environmental conditions during early development.


Subject(s)
Adaptation, Physiological , Salinity , Tilapia/growth & development , Animals , Female , Gills/growth & development , Larva/growth & development , Larva/ultrastructure , Tilapia/anatomy & histology
16.
Prog Urol ; 21(8): 554-61, 2011 Sep.
Article in French | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21872159

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of quality of life (QOL) and sexual activity after using sub-urethral Surgimesh® Sling for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: Study with a total duration of 12 months. One hundred and sixty-eight patients presenting a SUI underwent surgery for a Surgimesh® Sling implantation. RESULTS: QOL was significantly improved on the International Consultation Continence Questionnaire (ICIQ) scale with an increase of the average score from 2.79±1.75 to 8.48±1.7 at 12 months (P<0.05). The percentage of patients undergoing sexual intercourses remains at a high level during the study (76.87% versus 78.33%). The number of patients with pain during sexual intercourse significantly decreased (15% versus 2.1%). The QOL score is significantly better in post-operation conditions (7.84 versus 9.20; P=0.001). In terms of continence at 12 months, 75.6% of women declared recovery and 23.53% observed improvements. CONCLUSION: SUI correction using Surgimesh® Sling induces a very significant improvement in patients' QOL and sexual activity.


Subject(s)
Quality of Life , Sexual Behavior , Suburethral Slings , Urinary Incontinence, Stress/surgery , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Time Factors
17.
J Microsc ; 240(1): 83-6, 2010 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21050216

ABSTRACT

Confocal microscopy has facilitated measurement of stained lipid volume in Lepeophtheirus salmonis copepodid larvae. Quantity of lipid, location and morphology of vesicles may allow an estimate of age and viability.


Subject(s)
Copepoda/physiology , Lipids/analysis , Microscopy, Confocal , Aging , Animals , Copepoda/chemistry , Ectoparasitic Infestations/parasitology , Ectoparasitic Infestations/veterinary , Fish Diseases/parasitology , Larva/chemistry , Salmon/parasitology
18.
Int J Parasitol ; 40(12): 1455-67, 2010 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20595003

ABSTRACT

Despite routine screening requirements for the notifiable fish pathogen Gyrodactylus salaris, no standard operating procedure exists for its rapid identification and discrimination from other species of Gyrodactylus. This study assessed screening and identification efficiencies under real-world conditions for the most commonly employed identification methodologies: visual, morphometric and molecular analyses. Obtained data were used to design a best-practice processing and decision-making protocol allowing rapid specimen throughput and maximal classification accuracy. True specimen identities were established using a consensus from all three identification methods, coupled with the use of host and location information. The most experienced salmonid gyrodactylid expert correctly identified 95.1% of G. salaris specimens. Statistical methods of classification identified 66.7% of the G. salaris, demonstrating the need for much wider training. Molecular techniques (internal transcribed spacer region-restriction fragment length polymorphism (ITS-RFLP)/cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequencing) conducted in the diagnostic laboratory most experienced in the analysis of gyrodactylid material, identified 100% of the true G. salaris specimens. Taking into account causes of potential specimen loss, the probabilities of a specimen being accurately identified were 95%, 87% and 92% for visual, morphometric and molecular techniques, respectively, and the probabilities of correctly identifying a specimen of G. salaris by each method were 81%, 58% and 92%. Inter-analyst agreement for 189 gyrodactylids assessed by all three methods using Fleiss' Kappa suggested substantial agreement in identification between the methods. During routine surveillance periods when low numbers of specimens are analysed, we recommend that specimens be analysed using the ITS-RFLP approach followed by sequencing of specimens with a "G. salaris-like" (i.e. G. salaris, Gyrodactylus thymalli) banding pattern. During periods of suspected outbreaks, where a high volume of specimens is expected, we recommended that specimens be identified using visual identification, as the fastest processing method, to select "G. salaris-like" specimens, which are subsequently identified by molecular-based techniques.


Subject(s)
Fish Diseases/parasitology , Parasitology/methods , Trematoda/isolation & purification , Trematode Infections/veterinary , Animals , DNA, Helminth/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Fish Diseases/diagnosis , Phylogeny , Salmonidae/parasitology , Trematoda/classification , Trematoda/genetics , Trematode Infections/parasitology
19.
Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol ; 156(2): 107-14, 2010 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20206710

ABSTRACT

Sea lice are copepod ectoparasites that constitute a major barrier to the sustainability and economic viability of marine finfish aquaculture operations worldwide. In particular, the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, poses a considerable problem for salmoniculture in the northern hemisphere. The free-swimming nauplii and infective copepodids of L. salmonis are lecithotrophic, subsisting principally on maternally-derived lipid reserves. However, the lipids and fatty acids of sea lice have been sparsely studied and therefore the present project aimed to investigate the lipid and fatty acid composition of sea lice of the genus Lepeophtheirus obtained from a variety of fish hosts. Total lipid was extracted from eggs and adult female L. salmonis obtained from both wild and farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) sampled at two time points, in the mid 1990s and in 2009. In addition, L. salmonis from wild sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) and L. hippoglossi from wild Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) were sampled and analyzed. The lipids of both females and egg strings of Lepeophtheirus were characterized by triacylglycerol (TAG) as the major neutral (storage) lipid with phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar (membrane) lipids. The major fatty acids were 22:6n-3 (DHA), 18:1n-9 and 16:0, with lesser amounts of 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3 and 18:0. L. salmonis sourced from farmed salmon was characterized by higher levels of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 than lice from wild salmon. Egg strings had higher levels of TAG and lower DHA compared to females, whereas L. hippoglossi had lower levels of TAG and higher DHA than L. salmonis. The results demonstrate that the fatty acid compositions of lice obtained from wild and farmed salmon differ and that changes to the lipid and fatty acid composition of feeds for farmed salmon influence the louse compositions.


Subject(s)
Copepoda/chemistry , Fatty Acids/analysis , Lipids/classification , Animals , Female , Lipids/chemistry , Salmon/parasitology
20.
Heredity (Edinb) ; 105(3): 318-27, 2010 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19935825

ABSTRACT

Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is a viral disease with a significant negative impact on the global aquaculture of Atlantic salmon. IPN outbreaks can occur during specific windows of both the freshwater and seawater stages of the salmon life cycle. Previous research has shown that a proportion of the variation seen in resistance to IPN is because of host genetics, and we have shown that major quantitative trait loci (QTL) affect IPN resistance at the seawater stage of production. In the current study, we completed a large freshwater IPN challenge experiment to allow us to undertake a thorough investigation of the genetic basis of resistance to IPN in salmon fry, with a focus on previously identified QTL regions. The heritability of freshwater IPN resistance was estimated to be 0.26 on the observed scale and 0.55 on the underlying scale. Our results suggest that a single QTL on linkage group 21 explains almost all the genetic variation in IPN mortality under our experimental conditions. A striking contrast in mortality is seen between fry classified as homozygous susceptible versus homozygous resistant, with QTL-resistant fish showing virtually complete resistance to IPN mortality. The findings highlight the importance of the major QTL in the genetic regulation of IPN resistance across distinct physiological lifecycle stages, environmental conditions and viral isolates. These results have clear scientific and practical implications for the control of IPN.


Subject(s)
Disease Susceptibility/veterinary , Fish Diseases/genetics , Pancreatic Diseases/veterinary , Quantitative Trait Loci , Salmo salar/genetics , Animals , Chromosome Mapping , Fish Diseases/transmission , Fresh Water , Genotype , Microsatellite Repeats , Necrosis , Pancreatic Diseases/genetics
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