TitleComparison of fixatives and fixation time for PCR detection of Mycobacterium in zebrafish Danio rerio .
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsPeterson, TS, Kent, ML, Ferguson, JA, Watral, VG, Whipps, CM
JournalDis Aquat Organ
Volume104
Issue2
Pagination113-20
Date Published2013 May 27
ISSN0177-5103
KeywordsAnimals, Bacteriological Techniques, Fish Diseases, Fixatives, Mycobacterium, Mycobacterium Infections, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Time Factors, Zebrafish
Abstract

Mycobacteriosis is a common disease of laboratory zebrafish Danio rerio. Different infection patterns occur in zebrafish depending on mycobacterial species. Mycobacterium marinum and M. haemophilum produce virulent infections associated with high mortality, whereas M. chelonae is more widespread and is not associated with high mortality. Identification of mycobacterial infections to the species level provides important information for making management decisions. Observation of acid-fast bacilli in histological sections or tissue imprints is the most common diagnostic method for mycobacteriosis in fish, but only allows for diagnosis to the genus level. Mycobacterial culture followed by molecular or biochemical identification is the traditional approach, but DNA of diagnostic value can also be retrieved from paraffin blocks. Here we investigated the type of fixative, time in fixative before processing, species of mycobacteria, and severity of infection as parameters to determine whether the hsp gene PCR assay (primer set HS5F/hsp667R) could detect and amplify mycobacterial DNA from paraffin-embedded zebrafish. Whole zebrafish were experimentally infected with either M. chelonae or M. marinum, and then preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin or Dietrich's fixative for 3, 7, 21, and 45 d. Subsequently, fish were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin and Fite's acid-fast stains to detect mycobacteria within granulomatous lesions. The PCR assay was quite effective and obtained PCR product from 75 and 88% of the M. chelonae- and M. marinum-infected fish, respectively. Fixative type, time in fixative, and mycobacterial species showed no statistical relationship with the efficacy of the PCR test.

DOI10.3354/dao02585
Alternate JournalDis Aquat Organ
PubMed ID23709464
PubMed Central IDPMC3707143
Grant ListT32 RR023917 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
T32 OD011020 / OD / NIH HHS / United States
R24 RR17886 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
R24 OD010998 / OD / NIH HHS / United States
P30 ES000210 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States