Infection of Aulorhynchus flavidus (Gill) (Osteichthyes: Gasterosteiformes) by Kudoa thyrsites (Gilchrist) (Myxosporea: Multivalvulida).
The myxosporean parasite Kudoa thyrsites is reported from a new host, Aulorhynchus flavidus, the tube-snout, collected near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Prevalence reached 100% and intensity 1,535 pseudocysts per 2 cm length of fish. Polymerase chain reaction primers specific for K. thyrsites amplified a fragment of the small subunit rDNA and confirmed identification. These primers also allowed detection of K. thyrsites in young (< 4-mo-old) fish with no other apparent sign of infection. No inflammatory response or liquefaction of host tissue was associated with the infection. The number of pseudocysts per infected fish was not correlated with fish size or condition, although larger fish (total length) had larger pseudocysts (rs = 0.437, P < 0.001). This finding brings to 28 the number of potential hosts for the species. Kudoa thyrsites is a well recognized cause of soft flesh in netpen-reared Atlantic salmon in coastal waters of British Columbia. Tube-snouts are common in and around these netpens, and thus may be a significant host reservoir for K. thyrsites.
Shaw
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Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada.
Hervio
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Devlin
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Adamson
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D000818:Animals; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000469:parasitology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*
D016054:DNA, Protozoan