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

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

Gregory C. Paull¹  R. A. Matthews¹ 

关键词: Hole-in-the-head disease;    Cichlids;    Spironucleus vortens;    In vitro culture;   

DOI  :  10.3354/dao045197

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Inter-Research

【 摘 要 】

ABSTRACT: Hole-in-the-head disease is recorded in 11 discus Symphysodon discus Heckel, 1840 and 1 angelfish Pterophyllum scalare Lichtenstein, 1823 obtained from local aquarists within the Southwest of the UK. Spironucleus vortensPoynton et al. 1995, was isolated from the kidney, liver, spleen and head lesions of discus showing severe signs of the disease and from the intestines of all fish. The hexamitid was also recorded from the head lesions of the angelfish. The identity ofthese flagellates was confirmed as S. vortens on the basis of topographical features seen with the aid of SEM. A modified in vitro culture method was successfully developed for the detection, isolation and long-term maintenance of S.vortens. The flagellate was sub-cultured at 3 to 5 d intervals, new media being supplemented with fresh liver from Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1757) free from infection. The results are discussed in relation to S. vortens as thecausative agent for hole-in-the-head disease following systemic infection via the digestive tract.

【 授权许可】

Unknown