PUBLICATION
High mortality due to Tetrahymena sp. infection in laboratory-maintained zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio)
- Authors
- Astrofsky, K.M., Schech, J.M., Sheppard, B.J., Obenschain, C.A., Chin, A.M., Kacergis, M.C., Laver, E.R., Bartholomew, J.L., and Fox, J.G.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-020912-11
- Date
- 2002
- Source
- Comparative medicine 52(4): 363-367 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Astrofsky, Keith M., Chin, Amy, Kacergis, Michael C., Laver, Elizabeth, Schech, Joseph Mat
- Keywords
- none
- MeSH Terms
-
- Animals
- Animals, Laboratory
- Disease Outbreaks/veterinary
- Fish Diseases/epidemiology
- Fish Diseases/mortality*
- Fish Diseases/parasitology
- Fish Diseases/prevention & control
- Protozoan Infections, Animal/epidemiology
- Protozoan Infections, Animal/mortality*
- Protozoan Infections, Animal/parasitology
- Protozoan Infections, Animal/prevention & control
- Tetrahymena*/cytology
- Tetrahymena*/isolation & purification
- Tetrahymena*/metabolism
- Zebrafish/anatomy & histology
- Zebrafish/parasitology*
- PubMed
- 12211282
Citation
Astrofsky, K.M., Schech, J.M., Sheppard, B.J., Obenschain, C.A., Chin, A.M., Kacergis, M.C., Laver, E.R., Bartholomew, J.L., and Fox, J.G. (2002) High mortality due to Tetrahymena sp. infection in laboratory-maintained zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio). Comparative medicine. 52(4):363-367.
Abstract
A large colony of laboratory zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) used in the study of early vertebrate embryogenesis began experiencing acute, unexplained mortality that approached 100% among approximately 30-day- old resident fry. The initial differential diagnosis included ammonia, nitrite, or chlorine toxicosis, as well as iatrogenically induced toxicosis associated with improper sanitation procedures of laboratory equipment. Necropsy of dead and moribund fry prior to fixation revealed swarms of ovoid-shaped, motile, ciliated protozoa with a "spiraling football" motion. Wet mount preparations of various water samples also contained high numbers of similar protozoa. Histologic examination of affected fry revealed numerous, periodic acid-Schiff-positive forms within the body coelom, and epithelial and muscle tissues. The protozoa were consistent morphologically with members of the genus Tetrahymena, which is usually a free-living, nonpathogenic ciliated protozoa in fresh and saltwater environments. Relevant disease associated with Tetrahymena spp. in viviparous fish has been reported as a result of concurrent disease, immunosuppression, or poor water quality conditions . To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an epizootic involving laboratory maintained zebrafish, and the diagnostic course and therapeutic interventions undertaken to alleviate Tetrahymena species- associated clinical disease.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping