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Histological and ultrastructural study of Myxobolus mugchelo (Parenzan, 1966) with initial histopathology survey of the Liza ramada host intestine

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Abstract

This paper provides histological and ultrastructural data on Myxobolus mugchelo (Myxozoa), a parasite of the intestinal wall of thinlip mullet Liza ramada from the Comacchio lagoons (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy). About 80% of the examined mullets were infected with this myxozoan. In histological sections, the plasmodia appeared rounded to ovoid and spindle shaped, measured 181.61 ± 97 × 122.79 ± 53.16 μm (mean ± standard deviation, SD) in size. Early sporogenic plasmodia were located primarily in the muscle layer where no pronounced inflammatory response was detected. Plasmodia containing mature spores were situated closer to mucosal folds and were encircled by numerous immune cells, especially mast cells. Mature spores were generally oval and 6.06 ± 0.40 × 3.48 ± 0.92 μm in size. The spores showed symmetrical and smooth valves. The anterior end of the spores contained two equal pyriform polar capsules measuring 2.19 ± 0.47 × 1.59 ± 0.29 μm. Inside the polar capsules, an isofilar polar filament displayed 5–6 coils perpendicular or slightly oblique to the longitudinal axis. The wall of the polar capsule was filled with a hyaline substance contrasting with the very dense internal matrix. The mucus layer surrounded the spore surface. A thorough comparison with the Myxobolus species infecting intestine of fish is provided. This is the first report on occurrence of this myxozoan species in L. ramada population of the North Adriatic Sea.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks are due to the personnel of the Park of the Po River Delta of Emilia-Romagna for the support and kind cooperation: Dr. Massimo Medri, Dr. Maria Pia Pagliarusco, Mr. Carletto Farinelli, and Mr. Stefano Gelli. This study was supported by grants from the University of Ferrara to B.S.D. (contract N. 2016).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biology and Environment Protection, Pomeranian University, Arciszewskiego 22, 76-218, Słupsk, Poland

    Mykola Ovcharenko

  2. Department of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, St Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy

    Bahram Sayyaf Dezfuli, Giuseppe Castaldelli, Mattia Lanzoni & Luisa Giari

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  1. Mykola Ovcharenko
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  2. Bahram Sayyaf Dezfuli
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  3. Giuseppe Castaldelli
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  4. Mattia Lanzoni
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  5. Luisa Giari
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Correspondence to Bahram Sayyaf Dezfuli.

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Animal procedures and handling were performed in accordance with the European guidelines on animal welfare (Directive 2010/63/EU) on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.

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Highlights

►Extensive histological and ultrastructural data were acquired on Myxobolus mugchelo (Myxozoa) in the intestinal wall of thinlip mullet Liza ramada.

►This is the first recorded occurrence of Myxobolus mugchelo in the North Adriatic Sea.

► Intestinal immune response was evaluated based on histopathological observations.

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Ovcharenko, M., Sayyaf Dezfuli, B., Castaldelli, G. et al. Histological and ultrastructural study of Myxobolus mugchelo (Parenzan, 1966) with initial histopathology survey of the Liza ramada host intestine. Parasitol Res 116, 1713–1721 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-017-5447-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-017-5447-5

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