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Dalla Barba F, Soardi M, Mouhib L, Risato G, Akyürek EE, Lucon-Xiccato T, Scano M, Benetollo A, Sacchetto R, Richard I, Argenton F, Bertolucci C, Carotti M, Sandonà D. Modeling Sarcoglycanopathy in Danio rerio. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12707. [PMID: 37628888 PMCID: PMC10454440 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcoglycanopathies, also known as limb girdle muscular dystrophy 3-6, are rare muscular dystrophies characterized, although heterogeneous, by high disability, with patients often wheelchair-bound by late adolescence and frequently developing respiratory and cardiac problems. These diseases are currently incurable, emphasizing the importance of effective treatment strategies and the necessity of animal models for drug screening and therapeutic verification. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique, we generated and characterized δ-sarcoglycan and β-sarcoglycan knockout zebrafish lines, which presented a progressive disease phenotype that worsened from a mild larval stage to distinct myopathic features in adulthood. By subjecting the knockout larvae to a viscous swimming medium, we were able to anticipate disease onset. The δ-SG knockout line was further exploited to demonstrate that a δ-SG missense mutant is a substrate for endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD), indicating premature degradation due to protein folding defects. In conclusion, our study underscores the utility of zebrafish in modeling sarcoglycanopathies through either gene knockout or future knock-in techniques. These novel zebrafish lines will not only enhance our understanding of the disease's pathogenic mechanisms, but will also serve as powerful tools for phenotype-based drug screening, ultimately contributing to the development of a cure for sarcoglycanopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Dalla Barba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
| | - Michela Soardi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
| | - Leila Mouhib
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
- Randall Center for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Giovanni Risato
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Eylem Emek Akyürek
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Agripolis, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy
| | - Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Martina Scano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
| | - Alberto Benetollo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
| | - Roberta Sacchetto
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Agripolis, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy
| | - Isabelle Richard
- Genethon, F-91002 Evry, France
- INSERM, U951, INTEGRARE Research Unit, F-91002 Evry, France
| | - Francesco Argenton
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bertolucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marcello Carotti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
| | - Dorianna Sandonà
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
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Heinrich E, Hartwig O, Walt C, Kardani A, Koch M, Jahromi LP, Hoppstädter J, Kiemer AK, Loretz B, Lehr CM, Fuhrmann G. Cell-Derived Vesicles for Antibiotic Delivery-Understanding the Challenges of a Biogenic Carrier System. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2207479. [PMID: 36938700 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) sparked substantial therapeutic interest, particularly due to their ability to mediate targeted transport between tissues and cells. Yet, EVs' technological translation as therapeutics strongly depends on better biocompatibility assessments in more complex models and elementary in vitro-in vivo correlation, and comparison of mammalian versus bacterial vesicles. With this in mind, two new types of EVs derived from human B-lymphoid cells with low immunogenicity and from non-pathogenic myxobacteria SBSr073 are introduced here. A large-scale isolation protocol to reduce plastic waste and cultivation space toward sustainable EV research is established. The biocompatibility of mammalian and bacterial EVs is comprehensively evaluated using cytokine release and endotoxin assays in vitro, and an in vivo zebrafish larvae model is applied. A complex three-dimensional human cell culture model is used to understand the spatial distribution of vesicles in epithelial and immune cells and again used zebrafish larvae to study the biodistribution in vivo. Finally, vesicles are successfully loaded with the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin (CPX) and showed lower toxicity in zebrafish larvae than free CPX. The loaded vesicles are then tested effectively on enteropathogenic Shigella, whose infections are currently showing increasing resistance against available antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eilien Heinrich
- Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Olga Hartwig
- Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Christine Walt
- Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Arefeh Kardani
- Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Marcus Koch
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Leila Pourtalebi Jahromi
- Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Biology, Pharmaceutical Biology, Staudtstr. 5, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jessica Hoppstädter
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Alexandra K Kiemer
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Brigitta Loretz
- Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Claus-Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Gregor Fuhrmann
- Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Biology, Pharmaceutical Biology, Staudtstr. 5, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
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3
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Ochocki AJ, Kenney JW. A gelatin-based feed for precise and non-invasive drug delivery to adult zebrafish. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:286278. [PMID: 36606734 PMCID: PMC10165467 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Although the use of adult zebrafish as a model organism has increased in recent years, there is room to refine methods, such as drug delivery, to make them less invasive and more precise. Here, we describe the development of a non-invasive gelatin-based feed method that is tailored to animals based on their body mass. The feed was readily eaten by zebrafish (<1 min) with minimal leaching of compound when placed in water (<5% in 5 min). As a proof of principle, we fed fish a NMDA receptor antagonist (MK-801, 4 mg kg-1) prior to the novel tank test. We found that MK-801 caused a general decrease in predator-avoidance/anxiety-like behavior (bottom dwelling) and an increase in locomotion in male fish, but not females. Our simple, easy to prepare and individually tailored gelatin-based feed enables precisely dosed, non-invasive drug delivery to adult-stage zebrafish for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksander J Ochocki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Justin W Kenney
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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4
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Lu Y, Patton EE. Long-term non-invasive drug treatments in adult zebrafish that lead to melanoma drug resistance. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:275322. [PMID: 35394030 PMCID: PMC9118090 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish embryos are widely used for drug discovery, however, administering drugs to adult zebrafish is limited by current protocols that can cause stress. Here, we developed a drug formulation and administration method for adult zebrafish by producing food-based drug pellets that are consumed voluntarily. We applied this to zebrafish with BRAF-mutant melanoma, a model that has significantly advanced our understanding of melanoma progression, but not of drug resistance due to the limitations of current treatment methods. Zebrafish with melanomas responded to short-term, precise and daily dosing with drug pellets made with the BRAFV600E inhibitor, vemurafenib. On-target drug efficacy was determined by phospho-Erk staining. Continued drug treatment led to the emergence, for the first time in zebrafish, of acquired drug resistance and melanoma relapse, modelling the responses seen in melanoma patients. This method presents a controlled, non-invasive approach that permits long-term drug studies and can be widely applied to adult zebrafish models. Summary: We developed a precise drug-pellet dosing method for adult zebrafish melanoma models that can be widely applied to drug discovery in adult zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Lu
- MRC Human Genetics Unit and CRUK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - E Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit and CRUK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK
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Janik AJ, Whipps CM. Differences in susceptibility to Mycobacterium chelonae in zebrafish (Danio rerio) lines commonly used in scientific research. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2022; 45:435-443. [PMID: 34905233 PMCID: PMC8828697 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacteriosis is one of the most common diseases encountered in laboratory zebrafish. These infections can present a problem to researchers using zebrafish because they may introduce unknown experimental variables. Whilst differences in severity of infections between species of Mycobacterium infecting zebrafish have been well documented, little is known about differences in susceptibility between zebrafish lines. Previous surveys have found higher prevalence in the TU zebrafish line relative to other lines, suggesting that there may be underlying genetic differences in susceptibility. This study investigates Mycobacterium chelonae H1E2-GFP infections in four different zebrafish lines commonly used in research (AB, 5D, casper and TU). Fish were exposed to a labelled (green-fluorescent protein (GFP)) strain of M. chelonae by intraperitoneal injection, and infection status was evaluated after 10 weeks. Visualization of GFP in euthanized fish and histology were used as endpoints. In GFP images, severity was assessed by image analysis, and in histological sections, counts of granulomas containing acid-fast bacteria were used. Results indicated differences in severity of infections between lines, but no significant differences in prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Janik
- SUNY-ESF, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Environmental and Forest Biology, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Christopher M Whipps
- SUNY-ESF, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Environmental and Forest Biology, Syracuse, NY, USA
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6
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Mycobacteriosis and Infections with Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria in Aquatic Organisms: A Review. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091368. [PMID: 32906655 PMCID: PMC7564596 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mycobacteriaceae constitute a family of varied Gram-positive organisms that include a large number of pathogenic bacteria. Among these, non-tuberculous mycobacteria are endemic worldwide and have been associated with infections in a large number of organisms, including humans and other mammals and reptiles, as well as fish. In this review, we summarize the most recent findings regarding this group of pathogens in fish. There, four species are most commonly associated with disease outbreaks: Mycobacterium marinum, the most common of these fish mycobacterial pathogens, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium gordonae, and Mycobacterium chelonae. These bacteria have a broad host range: they are zoonotic, and infections have been reported in a large number of fish species. The main route of entry of the bacterium into the fish is through the gastrointestinal route, and the disease is associated with ulcerative dermatitis as well as organomegaly and the development of granulomatous lesions in the internal organs. Mycobacteriaceae are slow-growing and fastidious and isolation is difficult and time consuming and diagnostic is mostly performed using serological and molecular tools. Control of the disease is also difficult: there is currently no effective vaccine and infections react poorly to antibiotherapy. For this reason, more research is needed on the subject of these vexing pathogens.
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7
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Rampacci E, Stefanetti V, Passamonti F, Henao-Tamayo M. Preclinical Models of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infection for Early Drug Discovery and Vaccine Research. Pathogens 2020; 9:E641. [PMID: 32781698 PMCID: PMC7459799 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represent an increasingly prevalent etiology of soft tissue infections in animals and humans. NTM are widely distributed in the environment and while, for the most part, they behave as saprophytic organisms, in certain situations, they can be pathogenic, so much so that the incidence of NTM infections has surpassed that of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in developed countries. As a result, a growing body of the literature has focused attention on the critical role that drug susceptibility tests and infection models play in the design of appropriate therapeutic strategies against NTM diseases. This paper is an overview of the in vitro and in vivo models of NTM infection employed in the preclinical phase for early drug discovery and vaccine development. It summarizes alternative methods, not fully explored, for the characterization of anti-mycobacterial compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Rampacci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (E.R.); (V.S.)
| | - Valentina Stefanetti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (E.R.); (V.S.)
| | - Fabrizio Passamonti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (E.R.); (V.S.)
| | - Marcela Henao-Tamayo
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
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8
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Kent M, Sanders J, Spagnoli S, Al-Samarrie C, Murray K. Review of diseases and health management in zebrafish Danio rerio (Hamilton 1822) in research facilities. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2020; 43:637-650. [PMID: 32291793 PMCID: PMC7253333 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in biomedical research has expanded at a tremendous rate over the last two decades. Along with increases in laboratories using this model, we are discovering new and important diseases. We review here the important pathogens and diseases based on some 20 years of research and findings from our diagnostic service at the NIH-funded Zebrafish International Resource Center. Descriptions of the present status of biosecurity programmes and diagnostic and treatment approaches are included. The most common and important diseases and pathogens are two parasites, Pseudoloma neurophilia and Pseudocapillaria tomentosa, and mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium chelonae, M. marinum and M. haemophilum. Less common but deadly diseases are caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri and infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV). Hepatic megalocytosis and egg-associated inflammation and fibroplasia are common, apparently non-infectious, in zebrafish laboratories. Water quality diseases include supersaturation and nephrocalcinosis. Common neoplasms are spindle cell sarcomas, ultimobranchial tumours, spermatocytic seminomas and a small-cell carcinoma that is caused by a transmissible agent. Despite the clear biosecurity risk, researchers continue to use fish from pet stores, and here, we document two novel coccidia associated with significant lesions in zebrafish from one of these stores.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.L Kent
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
| | - J.L. Sanders
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
| | - S. Spagnoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
| | - C.E. Al-Samarrie
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
| | - K.N. Murray
- Zebrafish International Resource Center, Eugene, Oregon 97403
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9
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Kent ML, Sanders JL, Spagnoli S, Al-Samarrie CE, Murray KN. Review of diseases and health management in zebrafish Danio rerio (Hamilton 1822) in research facilities. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2020; 43:637-650. [PMID: 32291793 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13165j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in biomedical research has expanded at a tremendous rate over the last two decades. Along with increases in laboratories using this model, we are discovering new and important diseases. We review here the important pathogens and diseases based on some 20 years of research and findings from our diagnostic service at the NIH-funded Zebrafish International Resource Center. Descriptions of the present status of biosecurity programmes and diagnostic and treatment approaches are included. The most common and important diseases and pathogens are two parasites, Pseudoloma neurophilia and Pseudocapillaria tomentosa, and mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium chelonae, M. marinum and M. haemophilum. Less common but deadly diseases are caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri and infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV). Hepatic megalocytosis and egg-associated inflammation and fibroplasia are common, apparently non-infectious, in zebrafish laboratories. Water quality diseases include supersaturation and nephrocalcinosis. Common neoplasms are spindle cell sarcomas, ultimobranchial tumours, spermatocytic seminomas and a small-cell carcinoma that is caused by a transmissible agent. Despite the clear biosecurity risk, researchers continue to use fish from pet stores, and here, we document two novel coccidia associated with significant lesions in zebrafish from one of these stores.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Kent
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - J L Sanders
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - S Spagnoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - C E Al-Samarrie
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - K N Murray
- Zebrafish International Resource Center, Eugene, Oregon
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Delghandi MR, Menanteau-Ledouble S, Waldner K, El-Matbouli M. Renibacterium salmoninarum and Mycobacterium spp.: two bacterial pathogens present at low levels in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) populations in Austrian rivers. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:40. [PMID: 32013968 PMCID: PMC6998173 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-2260-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renibacterium salmoninarum and Mycobacterium sp. are important bacterial pathogens of fish. R. salmoninarum is the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease, a Gram-positive bacterium mostly known for causing chronic infections in salmonid fish, while multiple species belonging to the Mycobacterium genus have been associated with mycobacteriosis in fish as well as in human. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of these two bacterial pathogens in populations of wild brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) in four rivers (Kamp, Wulka, Traun and Ybbs) in Austria. RESULTS A total of 457 kidney samples were examined for both bacterial agents using nested and conventional PCR as well as bacterial cultivation on KDM-2, histological examination and immunohistochemistry. Molecular evidence showed an estimated prevalence level of 0.94% for R. salmoninarum in 2017 while the bacterium could not be detected in 2018 and histology showed signs consistent with a low-level chronic inflammation in the kidney of infected fish. Similarly, no fish were found positive for Mycobacterium in 2017 but in 2018, the prevalence was found to be 37.03% in the Kamp river (4.08% across all rivers). The sequencing data confirmed that these fish carried Mycobacterium sp. although the precise species of Mycobacterium could not be ascertained. CONCLUSIONS This survey constitutes the first insight into the prevalence rate of R. salmoninarum and Mycobacterium sp. in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) populations in Austria. Both of these pathogens were only detected in the summer months (June and July), which might suggest that the stress linked to increased water temperature could act as stressor factor and contribute to the outbreak of these diseases. The age of the fish might also play a role, especially in the case of Mycobacterium sp. as all the infected fish were in their first summer (June).
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Affiliation(s)
- M. R. Delghandi
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - S. Menanteau-Ledouble
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - K. Waldner
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - M. El-Matbouli
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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11
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Mocho JP, Martin DJ, Millington ME, Saavedra Torres Y. Environmental Screening of Aeromonas hydrophila, Mycobacterium spp., and Pseudocapillaria tomentosa in Zebrafish Systems. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 29286459 PMCID: PMC5755534 DOI: 10.3791/55306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Health monitoring systems are developed and used in zebrafish research facilities because pathogens of Danio rerio such as Aeromonas hydrophila, Mycobacterium spp., and Pseudocapillaria tomentosa have the potential to impair animal welfare and research. The fish are typically analyzed post mortem to detect microbes. The use of sentinels is a suggested way to improve the sensitivity of the surveillance and to reduce the number of animals to sample. The setting of a pre-filtration sentinel tank out of a recirculating system is described. The technique is developed to prevent water pollution and to represent the fish population by a careful selection of age, gender, and strains. In order to use the minimum number of animals, techniques to screen the environment are also detailed. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on surface sump swabs is used to significantly improve the detection of some prevalent and pathogenic mycobacterial species such as Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium haemophilum, and Mycobacterium chelonae. Another environmental method consists of processing the sludge at the bottom of a holding tank or sump to look for P. tomentosa eggs. This is a cheap and fast technique that can be applied in quarantine where a breeding device is submerged into the holding tank of imported animals. Finally, PCR is applied to the sludge sample and A. hydrophila is detected at the sump's bottom and surface. Generally, these environmental screening techniques applied to these specific pathogens have led to an increased sensitivity compared to the testing of pre-filtration sentinels.
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