Scoliosis and kyphosis in blue-spotted and marbled flathead fish associated with a Myxobolus acanthogobii -like parasite.

Publisher: Sage Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9011490 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1943-4936 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10406387 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Vet Diagn Invest Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: 2011-: Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage
Original Publication: 1989-2004 : Columbia, MO : American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians

Myxobolus*/isolation & purification ; Myxobolus*/genetics ; Fish Diseases*/parasitology ; Fish Diseases*/pathology ; Scoliosis*/veterinary ; Scoliosis*/pathology ; Scoliosis*/parasitology ; Parasitic Diseases, Animal*/parasitology ; Parasitic Diseases, Animal*/pathology; Animals ; Kyphosis/veterinary ; Kyphosis/parasitology ; Flatfishes/parasitology ; New South Wales

Spinal deformities in finfish have the potential to impact aquaculture industries and wild populations by increasing morbidity, mortality, and reducing growth rates. Myxobolus acanthogobii has been implicated in causing scoliosis and lordosis in various aquatic species in Japan. We investigated 4 cases of spinal deformity in 2 flathead ( Platycephalus ) species that were submitted to the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, between 2015 and 2021. Flathead are commercially significant species that are popular among Australian consumers, and are also sought-after species targeted by recreational fishers. Gross deformities are concerning to the community and may impact the quality and quantity of specimens available for consumption. Three blue-spotted flathead ( P. caeruleopunctatus ) and one marbled flathead ( P. marmoratus ) were submitted, all with marked scoliosis and kyphosis; 1-2-mm cysts were present on the dorsum of the brain, most often over the optic lobe or cerebellum. Cytology and differential interference microscopy of cyst material revealed numerous oval spores, x̄ 14 ± SD 0.75 µm × x̄ 11.5 ± SD 0.70 µm, with 2 pyriform polar capsules, the morphology of which is consistent with a Myxobolus sp. PCR assay and 18S rDNA sequencing of the cyst material identified a Myxobolus sp. with 96% identity to M. acanthogobii. The identification of this Myxobolus sp. confirms the presence of parasites with the potential to cause spinal deformity in significant aquatic species in NSW waterways.
Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Keywords: Australia; Myxobolus; kyphosis; lordosis; parasites; scoliosis; spinal curvature

Date Created: 20240208 Date Completed: 20240521 Latest Revision: 20240524

20240524

PMC11110767

10.1177/10406387231220347

38327021