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Ultrastructure, development, and molecular phylogeny of Pleistophora hyphessobryconis, a broad host microsporidian parasite of Puntius tetrazona

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Abstract

A potentially fatal microsporidial infection targeting the skeletal muscles of the tiger barb Puntius tetrazona was described. Ultrastructural and molecular analyses of infected tissues confirmed that the causative parasite was Pleistophora hyphessobryconis. Compared to P. hyphessobryconis observed in other hosts, those infecting tiger barb demonstrated differences in ultrastructure that may be related to host adaptation. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that classifications based on different methods of analysis (molecular, morphologic, or developmental) do not always coincide, and suggesting that the genetic relationships between Pleistophora and Ovipleistophora may need to be redefined. Transparent mutants of tiger barb can be artificially infected by P. hyphessobryconis, and the dynamic process and spatial distribution of P. hyphessobryconis infection can be observed in real time. These transparent fish mutants are a valuable model to study microsporidial infection in vivo.

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Acknowledgment

This study was supported by the National Science Foundation in China (No. 40976072).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pearl River Fishery Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510380, China

    Kaibin Li, Ouqin Chang, Fang Wang, Chun Liu, Huili Liang & Shuqin Wu

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  1. Kaibin Li
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  2. Ouqin Chang
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  3. Fang Wang
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  4. Chun Liu
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  5. Huili Liang
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  6. Shuqin Wu
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Correspondence to Shuqin Wu.

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Li, K., Chang, O., Wang, F. et al. Ultrastructure, development, and molecular phylogeny of Pleistophora hyphessobryconis, a broad host microsporidian parasite of Puntius tetrazona . Parasitol Res 111, 1715–1724 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-012-3013-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-012-3013-8

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