TitleParamecium caudatum enhances transmission and infectivity of Mycobacterium marinum and M. chelonae in zebrafish Danio rerio.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsPeterson, TS, Ferguson, JA, Watral, VG, K Mutoji, N, Ennis, DG, Kent, ML
JournalDis Aquat Organ
Volume106
Issue3
Pagination229-39
Date Published2013 Nov 06
ISSN0177-5103
KeywordsAging, Animals, Ciliophora Infections, Fish Diseases, Larva, Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium Infections, Mycobacterium marinum, Paramecium caudatum, Refrigeration, Zebrafish
Abstract

Mycobacterial infections in laboratory zebrafish Danio rerio are common and widespread in research colonies. Mycobacteria within free-living amoebae have been shown to be transmission vectors for mycobacteriosis. Paramecium caudatum are commonly used as a first food for zebrafish, and we investigated this ciliate's potential to serve as a vector of Mycobacterium marinum and M. chelonae. The ability of live P. caudatum to transmit these mycobacteria to larval, juvenile and adult zebrafish was evaluated. Infections were defined by histologic observation of granulomas containing acid-fast bacteria in extraintestinal locations. In both experiments, fish fed paramecia containing mycobacteria became infected at a higher incidence than controls. Larvae (exposed at 4 d post hatch) fed paramecia with M. marinum exhibited an incidence of 30% (24/80) and juveniles (exposed at 21 d post hatch) showed 31% incidence (14/45). Adult fish fed a gelatin food matrix containing mycobacteria within paramecia or mycobacteria alone for 2 wk resulted in infections when examined 8 wk after exposure as follows: M. marinum OSU 214 47% (21/45), M. marinum CH 47% (9/19), and M. chelonae 38% (5/13). In contrast, fish feed mycobacteria alone in this diet did not become infected, except for 2 fish (5%) in the M. marinum OSU 214 low-dose group. These results demonstrate that P. caudatum can act as a vector for mycobacteria. This provides a useful animal model for evaluation of natural mycobacterial infections and demonstrates the possibility of mycobacterial transmission in zebrafish facilities via contaminated paramecia cultures.

DOI10.3354/dao02649
Alternate JournalDis Aquat Organ
PubMed ID24192000
PubMed Central IDPMC4155924
Grant ListT32 RR023917 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
R24 RR017886 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
R24 RR017386 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
T32RR023917 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
P30 ES000210 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States