Spironucleus vortens N. Sp. from the Freshwater Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare: Morphology and Culture

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spironucleus vortens, a possible cause of hole-in-the-head disease in cichlids

Paull

Matthews²

2001

“…However, only certain strains of the G. duodenalis complex can be cultivated. According to Poynton et al (1995). However, Keister's medium failed to support growth of Hexamita salmonis (Buchmann & Uldal 1996), which is more closely related to the genus Spironucleus than Giardia spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In vitro cultivation and temperature-dependent growth of two strains of Spironucleus barkhanus (Diplomonadida:Hexamitidae) from Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and grayling Thymallus thymallus

Sterud¹

1998

Spironucleus barkhanus from muscle abscesses of farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L., and from the gall bladder of grayling Thymallus thymallus (L.) was cultivated axenically in a medium routinely used for cultivation of the human pathogen Giardia duodenaljs. Trophozoites multiplied by binary division, but nlultinucleated cells (< 10 nuclei) were frequently observed Complete cell divisions were never observed in these cells. Both strains grew at all temperatures tested (5, 10, 15 and 20°C). However, continuous growth of the salmon strain at 20°C was not possible. Growth potential, calculated as minimum generation time, showed relatively small differences both between strains and among temperatures, but the results indicate that the grayling strain had both a slightly higher optimum temperature and a higher upper temperature limit than the salmon strain.

“…In freshwater fish, Spironucleus spp. have been recorded in grayling (Sterud et al 1997), burbot (Sterud 1998a), and cichlids, including angelfish (Kulda & Lom 1964b, Specht et al 1989, O'Brien et al 1993, Poynton et al 1995, and cyprinids (Molnar 1974). The parasite has been associated either locally in the digestive tract or systemically in various organs of the fish.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Spironucleus vortens Poynton et al, 1995 was first successfully isolated from the freshwater angelfish Pterophyllum scalare. The organism can be maintained and propagated in artificial medium (Poynton et al 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In vitro studies on optimal requirements for the growth of Spironucleus vortens, an intestinal parasite of the freshwater angelfish

Sangmaneedet¹,

Smith²

2000

Spironucleus vortens were cultivated in either an artificial medium at different temperatures, or in medium at vanous pH conditions or supplemented with different bile concentrations at 25OC. Temperature, pH and bile requirements for the optimal growth of the parasite were determined. Parasites multiplied quickly at 28 and 31°C and reached maximum numbers on Day 4 of cultivation, whereafter they did not survive. At 25"C, parasites survived longer than those at 28 and 31°C with no difference in multiplication rate during the exponential phase. The longest survival period was seen at 2Z°C, although the growth rate of the parasite was not as high as those at 25°C. At a higher temperature of 37"C, no parasites were observed alive after the second day of cultivation. Optimal pH range for the parasite's growth was 6.5 to 7.5, with the highest cell number at pH 7.5. Parasites survived longest (15 d) at pH 6.0, although the maximum number of cells was lower than those at the optimal pH. Parasites were dead within 24 h at pH levels above 8.5 or below 5.5. All cultures supplemented with either bovine or fish bile yielded numbers of parasites lower than cultures with no bile. In addition, parasite growth was significantly suppressed in medium supplemented with higher concentrations of bile. These results indicate that the optimal condition for the in vitro cultivation of S. vortens is 25'C and pH 6.5 to 7 -5 without supplementation with bile.