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Clinical, histopathological, and phylogenetic studies on Oreochromis niloticus and Procambarus clarkii affected with Myxosporea in Egypt

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Abstract

The myxosporean infection and its phylogenetic analysis were investigated in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with average weight (70 ± 5 g) and crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) with average weight (20 ± 6 g). The prevalence of myxosporean infection was 100% for tilapia gills and internal organs without any specific clinical signs. Gross examination of affected tilapia showed enlargement of posterior kidney with macroscopic white nodules in kidneys and gills while crayfish gills showed black spots. Microscopic examination of the fresh preparation of kidneys of tilapia showed spores of Myxosporea. Moreover, the hepatopancreas fresh samples of crayfish demonstrated myxosporean spores. The gene sequencing of 18S gene from tilapia kidneys followed by phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolated parasite had the highest sequence similarity to Myxobolus sp. ram SR-2018 [MK203074.1] giving 89.77% identity and was named Myxobolus sp. Egy1. In crayfish, histopathological examination showed the developmental stages of Myxosporea in the lumen and stroma of gill lamellae with degeneration of lining epithelium. In addition, different developmental stages of Myxosporea were scattered in the lining epithelium and lumen of hepatopancreas with vacuolation and multifocal deformation. In tilapia, histopathology revealed severe degenerative changes in the gill lamellae and renal tubules with presence of different developmental stages of Myxosporea. These findings support the high prevalence of myxosporean infection, particularly Myxobolus, in tilapia that induced histopathological damage in gills, and internal organs. Interestingly, we detected myxosporean spores in gills and hepatopancreas of crayfish which is considered a first report that needs further phylogenetic and epidemiological investigations.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Prof. Mansour El Matbouli, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria, for providing the support to conduct the present study and prof. Hatem Soliman, Aquatic Animal Medicine and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt, for his support in conducting the molecular part. Shimaa E. Ali was supported by Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) project number (RAF-19/0051).

Funding

This work was supported by Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) project number (RAF-19/0051).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Moshtohor, Benha University, Toukh, Egypt

    Eman I. Soror & Amel M. El Asely

  2. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Moshtohor, Benha University, Toukh, Egypt

    Aziza A. Amin

  3. WorldFish, Abbassa, Cairo, Egypt

    Shimaa E. Ali

  4. Department of Hydrobiology, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

    Shimaa E. Ali

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  1. Eman I. Soror
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  4. Amel M. El Asely
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Contributions

The study was conceptualized by ES and AEA. The laboratory work for direct and stained smears was conducted by ES and AEA. AA conducted histopathology. SA conducted the laboratory work and the phylogenetic study. The manuscript was drafted and revised by all authors.

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Correspondence to Eman I. Soror or Amel M. El Asely.

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Ethics approval

The experiment was carried out in accordance with “Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Research” published by American Fisheries Society (2014). Moreover, the research work was done after completing Laboratory Animal Science Course for Research workers which satisfies the requirements of the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s definition of competence at “FELASA C” level. Additionally, the research work was strictly supervised by advisory committee with the approval of WorldFish Egypt country director.

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The authors declare no competing interest.

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Soror, E.I., Amin, A.A., Ali, S.E. et al. Clinical, histopathological, and phylogenetic studies on Oreochromis niloticus and Procambarus clarkii affected with Myxosporea in Egypt. Aquacult Int (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-024-01395-6

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