Molecular Identification and Real-time Quantitative PCR (qPCR) for Rapid Detection of Thelohanellus kitauei, a Myxozoan Parasite Causing Intestinal Giant Cystic Disease in the Israel Carp

Abstract

Intestinal giant-cystic disease (IGCD) of the Israel carp (Cyprinus carpio nudus) has been recognized as one of the most serious diseases afflicting inland farmed fish in the Republic of Korea, and Thelohanellus kitauei has been identified as the causative agent of the disease. Until now, studies concerning IGCD caused by T. kitauei in the Israel carp have been limited to morphological and histopathological examinations. However, these types of diagnostic examinations are relatively time-consuming, and the infection frequently cannot be detected in its early stages. In this study, we cloned the full-length 18S rRNA gene of T. kitauei isolated from diseased Israel carps, and carried out molecular identification by comparing the sequence with those of other myxosporeans. Moreover, conventional PCR and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) using oligonucleotide primers for the amplification of 18S rRNA gene fragment were established for further use as methods for rapid diagnosis of IGCD. Our results demonstrated that both the conventional PCR and real-time quantitative PCR systems applied herein are effective for rapid detection of T. kitauei spores in fish tissues and environmental water.

Molecular identification of a new myxozoan, Myxobolus dermiscalis n. sp. (Myxosporea) infecting scales of Labeo rohita Hamilton in Harike Wetland, Punjab (India)

“…The nucleotide frequencies were 26.44%(A), 26.69%(T/U), 248(G) 19.19%(C) and 27.68%(G). Furthermore, the information generated confirmed the importance of features such as host, tissue tropism, geographical location of the host and correlation with the results of molecular data based on comparison of 18S rDNA sequence ( Kent et al., 2001 , Seo et al., 2012 , Zhu et al., 2012 , Shin et al., 2013 ). Index of intensity of infection by M .…”

New phylogenomic and comparative analyses provide corroborating evidence that Myxozoa is Cnidaria

“…The myxosporean Thelohanellus kitauei is a pathological parasite that infects carp (of the family Cyprinidae), the most important cultured freshwater fish species in the world, and causes intestinal giant cystic disease (IGCD) (Kitaue, 1980). This disease has been recognized as one of the most serious myxosporidiosises, causing substantial economic losses in aquaculture (Seo et al, 2012).…”

Morphology and Phylogeny of Thelohanellus marginatus n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea), a Parasite Infecting the Gills of the Fish Hypophthalmus marginatus (Teleostei: Pimelodidae) in the Amazon River

“…In the case of Thelohanellus spp., the molecular data available regards only species that infect organs of the parasite/host interface (epidermis, fins, gills, and oral cavity), with the exception of Thelohanellus kitauei Egusa and Nakajima, 1981, which infects the intestine of its fish host (Seo et al. ). However, the latter clusters together with the remaining Thelohanellus spp.…”