Specific IgE induced byKudoasp. (Myxosporea: multivalvulida) antigens in BALB/c mice

Abstract

Summary:The majority of Kudoa species infect the somatic muscle of fish establishing cysts. As there is no effective method to delect infected fish without destroying them, these parasited fish reach the consumer. We have developed this work to determine whether this parasite contains antigenic compounds capable of provoking an immune response in laboratory animals, in order to consider the possible immunopathological effects in man by the ingestion of Kudoa infected fish. BALB/c mice were injected by the subcutaneous route with the following extracts suspended in aluminium hydroxide: Group 1 (black Kudoa sp. pseudocyst extract), group 2 (white Kudoa sp. pseudocyst extract). Specific IgE levels were measured by ELISA. IgE detected in both groups 1 and 2 showed the possible allergenic nature of some of the components of the parasitic extracts.KEY WORDS : antigen, ELISA, IgE, Kudoa, Myxosporea, pseudocyst T he majority of Kudoa species infect the somatic muscle of marine and estuarine fish establishing cysts, which contain many spores. As the para site grows, it produces proteolytic enzymes (Patashnik et al., 1982; Tsuyuki et al., 1982) that break down the filaments of the muscle fibre (Stehr & Whitaker, 1986).While the parasite is within a muscle fibre, it is unde tected by the host's immunological system. It is during this stage when the parasite contains many developing and mature spores that the infected fibres have a white appearance. As the parasite grows, it breaks the sarcolemma and the host recognizes the presence of the parasite (Moran et al., 1999). Then, there is a rapid development of a fibroblast layer around the parasite (Morado & Sparks, 1986; Stehr & Whitaker, 1986) and the cyst, more properly, pseudocyst, quickly acquires a black appearance. However, the process of resorption is slower than that of the development of

Immune-triggering effect of the foodborne parasite Kudoa septempunctata through the C-type lectin Mincle in HT29 cells

“…Most importantly, Mincle-mediated innate immunity can induce sustained inflammatory responses, especially those involving IL-1 and TNF-α, and it can promote allergic responses ( 12 , 19 ). In a study, BALB/c mice fed Kudoa sp.-infected fish extract exhibited increases specific IgE levels in their sera ( 20 ). In addition, 4 of 15 patients with gastrointestinal and/or allergic symptoms related to fish ingestion had positive results for the skin prick test using Kudoa antigens ( 21 ).…”