Immunization of grouper, Epinephelus coioides, confers protection against a protozoan parasite, Cryptocaryon irritans

The present study aimed to determine whether protection is conferred by immunization of grouper, Epinephelus coioides, against a protozoan parasite, Cryptocaryon irritans. The immunization of E. coioides was carried out by a low level exposure of fish to live C. irritans theronts from predetermined number of tomonts and by an intraperitoneal injection of a vaccine consisting of formalin-killed C. irritans theronts.

Mucus titers detected by ELISA were significantly higher in fingerling and adult grouper subjected to the low level of exposure to C. irritans theronts at 3-week post-exposure compared to fish that had no previous exposure. In addition, significantly smaller tomonts were produced from adult grouper after three successive exposures than the tomonts produced after a single exposure to the parasite.

In the vaccine-immunization experiment, no mortality was monitored in fish that received high dose vaccine (100 μg/fish), while 40% cumulative mortality and 100% cumulative mortality were recorded in low dose group (10 μg/fish) and control group (PBS-injected), respectively. In the succeeding replicate, the vaccine-immunized group (high dose) had 37.5% cumulative mortality and 100% cumulative mortality for the control. In addition, a total of 1830 tomonts were collected at 5-day post-challenge from the control group while none from the vaccine-immunized group. Significantly fewer trophonts and tomonts were enumerated at 5-day and 7-day post-challenge, respectively, in the vaccine-immunized group than the control.

Results suggest that a protective immunity has been conferred on the immunized grouper as indicated by high antibody titers in the mucus of C. irritans-exposed fish and higher survival and fewer parasites in vaccine-immunized fish than the control groups. The conferred immunity played a major role in preventing or limiting the adhesion, invasion, and development of C. irritans theronts on the skin of the immunized grouper.     

Activity of the antimicrobial polypeptide piscidin 2 against fish ectoparasites

Abstract The antiparasitic effects of piscidin 2, an antimicrobial polypeptide (AMPP) first isolated from mast cells of hybrid striped bass, were tested against three protistan ectoparasites of marine fish (the ciliates Cryptocaryon irritans and Trichodina sp., and the dinoflagellate Amyloodinium ocellatum) and one ciliate ectoparasite of freshwater fish (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis). I. multifiliis was the most susceptible parasite, with all theronts killed at 6.3 microg mL(-1) piscidin 2. The most resistant parasite was Trichodina, where a few cells were killed at 12.5 microg mL(-1), but several were still alive even at 100 microg mL(-1). C. irritans was of intermediate sensitivity, with some theronts killed at 12.5 microg mL(-1) and all killed at 25 microg mL(-1). High parasite density apparently exhausted the piscidin 2 before it could attain its maximal effect, but surviving parasites were often visibly damaged. The lower efficacy of piscidin 2 against marine parasites compared with the freshwater ciliate might be related to the inhibitory effects of high sea water cation levels. The tissue concentration of piscidins estimated in healthy hybrid striped bass gill (40 microg mL(-1)) suggests that piscidin 2 is lethal to the parasites tested at physiological concentrations and is thus an important component of innate defence in fish expressing this type of AMPP.     

四氢异喹啉衍生物的合成及体外 抗多子小瓜虫活性的研究

合成四氢异喹啉衍生物并进行杀多子小瓜虫(Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)药效评价。以1-甲基-1,2,3,4-四氢异喹啉为起始原料,在2位的胺基上引入与环己甲酰氯、苯甲酰氯、噻吩甲酰氯、乙酰氯以及氯乙酰氯等不同的酰基进而合成5种四氢异喹啉衍生物(化合物1~化合物5),研究其对小瓜虫掠食体和包囊的杀虫活性,并对杀虫活性物质进行安全性评价。结果显示,5种化合物均具有一定的杀虫活性,其中,化合物1 [(1-甲基-3,4-二氢异喹啉-2(1H)-基)-苯基-甲酮]的杀虫活性最强,其对多子小瓜虫掠食体4 h的100%杀灭浓度为24.0 mg/L,对包囊6 h的100%杀灭浓度为60.0 mg/L,对掠食体的半数致死浓度(LD50)为16.4 mg/L。急性毒性实验结果显示,化合物1对翘嘴红鲌(Erythroculter ilishaeformi)的48 h LD50为234.3 mg/L,其安全浓度为64.1 mg/L。研究表明,化合物1 [(1-甲基-3,4-二氢异喹啉-2(1H)-基)-苯基-甲酮]是一种具有较好开发前景的杀小瓜虫药物。     

四氢异喹啉衍生物的合成及体外抗多子小瓜虫活性的研究

合成四氢异喹啉衍生物并进行杀多子小瓜虫(Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)药效评价。以1-甲基-1,2,3,4-四氢异喹啉为起始原料,在2位的胺基上引入与环己甲酰氯、苯甲酰氯、噻吩甲酰氯、乙酰氯以及氯乙酰氯等不同的酰基进而合成5种四氢异喹啉衍生物(化合物1~化合物5),研究其对小瓜虫掠食体和包囊的杀虫活性,并对杀虫活性物质进行安全性评价。结果显示,5种化合物均具有一定的杀虫活性,其中,化合物1 [(1-甲基-3,4-二氢异喹啉-2(1H)-基)-苯基-甲酮]的杀虫活性最强,其对多子小瓜虫掠食体4 h的100%杀灭浓度为24.0 mg/L,对包囊6 h的100%杀灭浓度为60.0 mg/L,对掠食体的半数致死浓度(LD₅₀)为16.4mg/L。急性毒性实验结果显示,化合物1对翘嘴红鲌(Erythroculter ilishaeformi)的48 h LD₅₀为234.3 mg/L,其安全浓度为64.1 mg/L。研究表明,化合物1[(1-甲基-3,4-二氢异喹啉-2(1H)-基)-苯基-甲酮]是一种具有较好开发前景的杀小瓜虫药物。     

Ichthyophthiriasis in carp, Cyprinus carpio L.: fate of parasites in immunized fish

Abstract. The host-parasite relationship between O-group carp and the ciliatc Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet was investigated, with the specific aim of characterizing the fate of parasites encountering immunized fish. Carp were immunized by repeated controlled infections; immunized fish and control fish naive to I. multifiliis were then infected in the caudal fin epidermis by a single controlled exposure to theronts, which were applied in a droplet suspension to the tail surface. The number of parasites present within the caudal fin was monitored over a subsequent 5-day period by means of in situ parasite mapping. Results indicated that, contrary to previous reports, theronts penetrated the skin of immunized fish in numbers comparable to those of fish receiving a primary infection. However, the majority of parasites which penetrated immune skin did not complete normal development; 79% of the parasites which had initially penetrated the immune skin were not relocated within 2h of exposure, and since no parasite material was detected at penetration sites, it was concluded that these parasites had prematurely exited the skin rather than been killed in situ. Subsequently, these sites became populated by leucocytes, predominantly macrophages, and the infiltrations continued for up to 5 days after the initial exposure. In contrast, at sites where mature trophonts had exited the skin of fish following a primary infection, more diffuse leucocytic infiltrations were recorded, and these were predominated by neutrophils. Differences in the response to parasite exit from immunized and previously unexposed control fish skin are discussed, with particular reference to the mode of protection and the fate of parasites encountering immune fish.     

Cutaneous antibodies from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), immune to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) may induce apoptosis of Ich theronts

This study explored the existence of apoptosis (programmed cell death) in Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet (Ich) theronts and determined the effect of cutaneous antibodies in skin culture fluid from fish immune to Ich on theront apoptosis. Apoptosis was detected in theronts and was clearly distinguished by fluorescent microscopy after staining with acridine orange and propidium iodide. The apoptotic theronts showed characteristic chromatin condensation and nuclear fragments containing chromatin pieces. The externalization of phosphatidylserine on the plasma membrane of apoptotic theronts was detected with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated annexin using flow cytometry. Theront apoptosis was induced using the skin culture fluid from fish immune to Ich, which contained cutaneous antibodies against Ich. The highest apoptosis appeared in theronts exposed to immune skin culture fluid at a 1:10 dilution, compared with those at 1:20 and 1:40 dilutions. A direct correlation was noted between the percentage of apoptotic theronts and exposure duration to immune skin culture fluid. The study indicated that antibody reaction with theronts (immobilization) played an important role in theront apoptosis, but it could not be excluded that other components released from the excised skin had effects on theronts.     

Induced cross-protection in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), against different immobilization serotypes of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

Abstract Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), were immunized with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) theronts and trophonts, and the immune response and host protection against both homologous and heterologous serotypes of Ich were evaluated. Immunizations were done with two immobilization serotypes (ARS4 and ARS6) of live theronts by bath immersion (trial I) and with sonicated trophonts by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection (trial II). Cutaneous and serum antibody titres against Ich following immunization were measured and survival of catfish was determined after theront challenge. Theronts were immobilized by the antiserum from fish immunized with homologous theronts or trophonts, but not by the serum of fish immunized with the heterologous serotype. Serum from fish immunized by immersion with live theronts showed higher enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titres against both homologous and heterologous serotypes than fish immunized by i.p. injection of trophonts. Channel catfish immunized by immersion with live theronts or by i.p. injection with sonicated trophonts developed an immune response against Ich and provided cross-protection against challenge from both serotypes (ARS4 and ARS6) of the parasite. Sonicated trophont antigens in aqueous solution by i.p. injection could stimulate an immune response in fish, but the immunity was of short duration.     

Susceptibility of Caligus rogercresseyi collected from the native fish species Eleginops maclovinus (Cuvier) to antiparasitics applied by immersion

A major challenge for Chilean salmon farming is infestation by the ectoparasite Caligus rogercresseyi. In addition, there is evidence that a loss of chemotherapeutic treatment efficacy against important fish pathogens is occurring in salmon farming, including antiparasitic efficacy. Currently, there are known techniques that allow the determination of the susceptibility profile of parasites to antiparasitic treatment. However, there is scarce information about both threshold values and categorization of antiparasitic susceptibility for C. rogercresseyi. Bioassay technique allowed the determination of both mean values and the natural variation of EC50%, which were contrasted with available susceptibility thresholds. Results allowed to determine that parasites from the native fish host, Eleginops maclovinus, are susceptible to azamethiphos, deltamethrin and cypermethrin treatments, showing a high susceptibility profile to antiparasitics.     

Antibody mediated immune response against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis using excised skin from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), immune to Ichthyophthirius

This study investigated antibody mediated immune response against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) by determining whether theronts would retain the potential for reinfection, both in vitro and in vivo, after treatment with the culture fluid of excised skin from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus , immune to Ich. The invasion was reduced significantly ( P  < 0.05) for theronts treated with the immune culture fluid compared with those treated with the culture fluid from naive fish. The treatment of theronts with the immune culture fluid greatly reduced the size and survival of trophonts compared with those treated with the culture fluid from naive fish. Fewer fish were infected and the infection density was less for fish exposed to theronts treated with immune culture fluid. The infection was severe for fish invaded by theronts treated with the culture fluid from naive fish, with a high number of infected fish and heavy density of trophonts per fish. All fish were infected by Ich when exposed to the theronts treated with the immunoadsorbed culture fluid. In summary, results of this study show that cutaneous antibodies in the culture fluid of excised skin from immune fish significantly reduces theront infectivity by immobilizing or weakening theronts.     

丁香酚的分离及其杀多子小瓜虫活性研究

利用不同极性大小的溶剂石油醚、乙酸乙酯、氯仿、甲醇回流提取丁香制备粗提物,进行杀灭多子小瓜虫幼虫和包囊的药效活性追踪,确定丁香杀虫的活性部位为石油醚提取部分,进而利用硅胶柱层析和中压制备液相等分离技术结合活性追逐试验追踪分离丁香石油醚提取物(对多子小瓜虫幼虫和包囊的100%致死质量浓度分别为50mg/L和80mg/L),最终分离获得一种杀虫活性物质,经质谱、核磁氢谱、核磁碳谱等多种波谱分析技术确定该活性物质为丁香酚。体外杀虫结果表明,丁香酚对多子小瓜虫具有较强的杀灭作用,其对幼虫15min、1h、2h、3h和4h的半数致死质量浓度分别为6.21(5.85~6.65)mg/L、3.50(3.24~3.84)mg/L、2.90(2.62~3.22)mg/L、2.33(2.10~2.50)mg/L和2.15(1.98~2.32)mg/L,对幼虫4h的100%杀灭的质量浓度为3.5mg/L,对包囊6h的100%杀灭质量浓度为3.5mg/L。结果表明,丁香酚是一种具有较好开发前景的杀多子小瓜虫药物。     

20种中草药杀灭离体小瓜虫的药效研究

选用20种不同中草药,研究其不同浓度的水提物对多子小瓜虫(Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)成虫、包囊和幼虫的离体杀灭实验效果。结果显示:0.1 g/L槟榔和乌梅对各个阶段的虫体均有杀灭效果,0.1 g/L大黄和黄芩1 h内对幼虫有杀灭效果,1.0 g/L浓度能杀灭成虫和包囊,表明槟榔、乌梅、大黄、黄芩的杀虫效果相对较好;贯众、乌药、枳壳等13种中药浓度达到10 g/L、50 g/L或100 g/L才具有一定杀虫作用,但效果不很显著;熟地黄、茯苓和黄芪即使浓度达到100 g/L时,也不能杀灭虫体。     

Immune responses and host protection of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis after immunization with live theronts and sonicated trophonts

The humoral immune responses and host protection of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) were determined after immunization with live theronts and sonicated trophonts. Immunizations with live theronts or sonicated trophonts were carried out by both bath immersion and intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Cutaneous and serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels and anti-Ich antibodies were measured 12 and 21 days post-immunization. The level of Ich infection and survival of catfish were determined after theront challenge. Cutaneous and serum anti-Ich antibodies were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fish immunized with live theronts by immersion or i.p. injection, or with sonicated trophonts administered by i.p. injection, than in fish immunized with sonicated trophonts by immersion, with bovine serum albumin by i.p. injection, or non-immunized controls. Host protection was noted only in fish immunized with live theronts by immersion or i.p. injection or with sonicated trophonts by i.p. injection. There was a positive correlation between higher levels of anti-Ich antibodies and host survival in the immunized fish.     

Protective effect of cutaneous antibody produced by channel catfish,Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), immune to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet on cohabited non-immune catfish

Fish which survive a sublethal ichthyophthiriasis acquire protective immunity against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet (Ich). This study evaluated the protective effect of cutaneous antibody secreted by channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), immune to Ich on cohabited non-immune catfish. Non-immune and immune fish controls were separately maintained and infected with theronts. The Ich infection was assessed by scoring 0, < 50, 50-100, and > 100 trophonts fish(-1) at 5 days post-infection. The results of infection showed that cohabited fish at the ratio of 15 non-immune to two immune fish had < 50 trophonts fish(-1). Eighty per cent of the cohabited fish at the ratio of 10 non-immune to two immune fish showed 0 or < 50 trophonts fish(-1). The 76% of control non-immune fish had more than 100 trophonts fish(-1). The control immune fish had 0 trophonts fish(-1). Anti-Ich antibody was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in water samples taken from tanks containing immune fish after the water samples were concentrated 40-fold. The study suggests that immune fish cohabited with non-immune fish may protect non-immune fish against Ich infection.     

Experiments on the infection dynamics of Caligus epidemicus (Copepoda: Caligidae) on the small marine fish, Ambassis marianus (Günther)

Abstract Copepodids of Caligus epidemicus survived for up to 7, 8 and 5 days at 19, 22 and 26 °C, respectively, without food. Activity was high up to 3 days and then declined, but 3- or 4-day-old copepodids were more infective than younger copepodids, suggesting an initial dispersal phase. Although the success of attachment to perchlets, Ambassis marianus , was higher in small volumes of water, there was no statistically significant association between water volume (1, 4, 60 and 2001) and success of attachment. Most copepodids and early chalimus stages in single and multiple infections were attached to the pectoral fins, but did not settle preferentially beside other copepodids on the skin of the host. The parasite was overdispersed (negative binomial distribution) when groups of fish were exposed to 100 copepodids. Perchlets were killed when exposed to large numbers of copepodids and adult C. epidemicus , but survived for at least 5 days after exposure to 25 or fewer copepodids and five or fewer adults (although not necessarily all attached).     

Evaluating the use of garlic (Allium sativum) for the remedy of Cryptocaryon irritans in guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been shown to possess antimicrobial properties against a range of disease‐causing agents, including fish parasites. Our study aimed to investigate the potential use of garlic as a treatment against Cryptocaryon irritans infection, using guppies (Poecilia reticulata) as the fish model. Garlic was freeze‐dried, powdered, and used as it is or as an aqueous extract. The content of allicin, its main active ingredient, was 1.25 mg/g in garlic powder and 0.82 mg/ml in the aqueous extract, as determined by HPLC analysis. Aqueous garlic extract fully immobilized C. irritans theronts and protomonts within 20 and 40 min, respectively, following exposure to 5 µl/ml. Treatment trials were performed, in which infected fish were fed with garlic powder‐supplemented feeds (5%, 10%, or 20% supplementation), bathed in garlic aqueous extract (250 or 500 µl/L) and subjected to a combined treatment which included both feeding and bathing. Results revealed that the tested treatments failed to cure the infection, though reduction in infection intensity on the caudal fin, but not on the gills, was evident following dietary supplementation with 20% of powdered garlic in one of the trials.     

Cutaneous antibodies in excised skin from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, immune to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

This study determined whether cutaneous antibodies were present in the excised skin of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, immune to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet (Ich). Theronts were immobilized on or near the excised skin from immune fish. The survival of immobilized theronts was significantly reduced after exposure for 8 h to the culture of excised skin from immune fish. Culture fluids from excised skin of immune fish immobilized theronts with a peak in the immobilization titre at 24 h post-exposure. Immobility of theronts in the culture fluid from immune skin was removed after immunoabsorption with theronts. Indirect immunofluorescent staining of theronts treated with culture fluid from excised skin of immune fish revealed strong and uniform fluorescence on the cilia and cell surface of theronts. Western blot analysis of the culture fluid from immune fish revealed a 70-kDa band which corresponded to the molecular weight of catfish immunoglobulin heavy chain. The results of this study show that cutaneous antibodies to Ich theronts were present in and released from the excised skin from fish immune to Ich. Immobilization and killing of the theronts are two characteristics of the antibody response that appear to prevent the successful invasion of theronts into excised skin.     

Effects of a nanoemulsion with Copaifera officinalis oleoresin against monogenean parasites of Colossoma macropomum: A Neotropical Serrasalmidae

Monogeneans are ectoparasites that may cause losses in production and productivity in the aquaculture of Colossoma macropomum. Chemotherapeutics used in aquaculture usually have major adverse effects on fish; hence, the use of essential oils has been considered advantageous, but these are not soluble in water. Thus, the use of nanostructures to enhance water solubility of compounds and improve bioactivity may be very promising. This study investigated the antiparasitic activity of nanoemulsion prepared with Copaifera officinalis oleoresin (50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 mg/L), against monogenean parasites from the gills of C. macropomum. The particle size distribution and zeta potential suggested that a potentially kinetic stable system was generated. The nanoemulsion from C. officinalis oleoresin achieved high efficacy (100%) at low concentrations (200 and 300 mg/L) after 15 min of exposure. This was the first time that a nanoemulsion was generated from C. officinalis oleoresin using a solvent‐free, non‐heating and low‐energy method. Moreover, this was the first time that an antiparasitic against monogeneans on fish gills, based on nanoemulsion of C. officinalis oleoresin, was tested.     

鱼类抗刺激隐核虫感染的黏膜免疫研究进展

刺激隐核虫是一种原生纤毛类寄生虫,可以感染几乎所有海水硬骨鱼类并导致死亡,给海水鱼类养殖业造成巨大经济损失。由于刺激隐核虫体表寄生的特性,使其成为研究鱼类黏膜免疫机制的良好病原模型,可为高效疫苗的研发提供理论依据。本文综述了鱼类抗刺激隐核虫感染的黏膜免疫研究进展,以期为开展海水鱼类抗刺激隐核虫感染的免疫防控措施研究提供理论支撑。已有研究表明,受刺激隐核虫感染后,斜带石斑鱼皮肤黏液或其培养上清液能使幼虫发生阻动,由皮肤中的抗体分泌细胞产生的特异性IgM抗体在抗寄生虫感染中发挥重要作用;同时在刺激隐核虫感染时,多种免疫细胞如NCC细胞、中性粒细胞等在寄生虫周围聚集,趋化因子以及趋化因子受体表达量在寄生虫感染部位上调,暗示其调节的免疫细胞也参与抗虫免疫;此外,研究发现黄斑蓝子鱼对刺激隐核虫具有天然抗性,其血清和皮肤黏液对刺激隐核虫幼虫和滋养体均具有杀灭作用,已从其血清中分离到一种天然抗虫蛋白—L-氨基酸氧化酶,为刺激隐核虫病的防控提供新的途径;在理论研究的基础上,通过免疫实验证实疫苗防控刺激隐核虫病是可行的。     

Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) extract applied as a therapeutic immersion treatment for Neobenedenia sp. management in aquaculture

Garlic, Allium sativum L., extract administered as a therapeutic bath was shown to have antiparasitic properties towards Neobenedenia sp. (MacCallum) (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea) infecting farmed barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Bloch). The effect of garlic extract (active component allicin) immersion on Neobenedenia sp. egg development, hatching success, oncomiracidia (larvae) longevity, infection success and juvenile Neobenedenia survival was examined and compared with freshwater and formalin immersion. Garlic extract was found to significantly impede hatching success (5% ± 5%) and oncomiracidia longevity (<2 h) at allicin concentrations of 15.2 μL L^?1, while eggs in the seawater control had >95% hatching success and mean oncomiracidia longevity of 37 ± 3 h. At much lower allicin concentrations (0.76 and 1.52 μL L^?1), garlic extract also significantly reduced Neobenedenia infection success of L. calcarifer to 25% ± 4% and 11% ± 4%, respectively, compared with 55% ± 7% in the seawater control. Juvenile Neobenedenia attached to host fish proved to be highly resistant to allicin with 96% surviving 1‐h immersion in 10 mL L^?1 (15.2 μL L^?1 allicin) of garlic extract. Allicin‐containing garlic extracts show potential for development as a therapy to manage monogenean infections in intensive aquaculture with the greatest impact at the egg and larval stages.