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Influence of host reproductive state on Sphaerothecum destruens prevalence and infection level

Andreou, D.; Hussey, M.; Griffiths, S.W.; Gozlan, R.E.. 2011 Influence of host reproductive state on Sphaerothecum destruens prevalence and infection level. Parasitology, 138 (1). 26-34. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182010000983

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Abstract/Summary

Sphaerothecum destruens is an obligate intracellular parasite with the potential to cause high mortalities and spawning inhibition in the endangered cyprinid Leucaspius delineatus. We investigated the influence of L. delineatus’s reproductive state on the prevalence and infection level of S. destruens. A novel real time quantitative polymerarse chain reaction (qPCR) was developed to determine S. destruens’ prevalence and infection level. These parameters were quantified and compared in reproductive and non-reproductive L. delineatus. The detection limit of the S. destruens specific qPCR was determined to be 1 pg of purified S. destruens genomic DNA. Following cohabitation in the lab, reproductive L. delineatus had a significantly higher S. destruens prevalence (P<0·05) and infection levels (P<0·01) compared to non-reproductive L. delineatus. S. destruens prevalence was 19% (n=40) in non-reproductive L. delineatus and 41% (n=32) in reproductive L. delineatus. However, there was no difference in S. destruens prevalence in reproductive and non-reproductive fish under field conditions. Mean infection levels were 18 and 99 pg S. destruens DNA per 250 ng L. delineatus DNA for non-reproductive and reproductive L. delineatus respectively. The present work indicates that S. destruens infection in L. delineatus can be influenced by the latter's reproductive state and provides further support for the potential adverse impact of S. destruens on the conservation of L. delineatus populations.

Item Type: Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182010000983
Programmes: CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Water > WA Topic 2 - Ecohydrological Processes
CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 2 - Ecological Processes in the Environment > BD - 2.2 - Quantify the impact of invasive species, pathogens ...
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas: Hails
ISSN: 0031-1820
Additional Keywords: Leucaspius delineatus, cyprinids, PCR, fish, invasive, rosette agent, salmonid
NORA Subject Terms: Biology and Microbiology
Date made live: 06 Sep 2011 15:27 +0 (UTC)
URI: https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/15067

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