title: Development of the microsporidian parasite, Loma salmonae, in a rainbow trout gill epithelial cell line (RTG-1): evidence of xenoma development in vitro.
abstract: Growth and propagation of fish-infecting microsporidians within cell culture has been more difficult to achieve than for insect- and human-infecting microsporidians. Fish microsporidia tend to elicit xenoma development rather than diffuse growth in vivo, and this process likely increases host specificity. We present evidence that the fish microsporidian, Loma salmonae, has the capacity to develop xenomas within a rainbow trout gill epithelial cell line (RTG-1). Spore numbers increased over a 4 weeks period within cell culture flasks. Xenoma-like structures were observed using phase contrast microscopy, and then confirmed using transmission electron microscopy. Optimization of the L. salmonae-RTG-1 cell model has important implications in elucidating the process of xenoma development induced by microsporidian parasites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology,Atlantic Veterinary College,University of Prince Edward Island,550 University Avenue,Charlottetown,Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3,Canada.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: McConnachie
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology,Atlantic Veterinary College,University of Prince Edward Island,550 University Avenue,Charlottetown,Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3,Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheppard
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences,Atlantic Veterinary College,University of Prince Edward Island,550 University Avenue,Charlottetown,Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3Canada.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology,Atlantic Veterinary College,University of Prince Edward Island,550 University Avenue,Charlottetown,Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3,Canada.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Speare
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D005880:Gills / Q000166:cytology*; D050262:Loma / Q000502:physiology*; D017686:Oncorhynchus mykiss; D013170:Spores / Q000502:physiology
keywords: fish parasite