TitleTransmission of a common intestinal neoplasm in zebrafish by cohabitation.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsBurns, AR, Watral, V, Sichel, S, Spagnoli, ST, Banse, AV, Mittge, E, Sharpton, TJ, Guillemin, K, Kent, ML
JournalJ Fish Dis
Volume41
Issue4
Pagination569-579
Date Published2018 Apr
ISSN1365-2761
KeywordsAdenocarcinoma, Animals, Carcinoma, Small Cell, Fish Diseases, Intestinal Neoplasms, Mycoplasma Infections, Mycoplasma penetrans, RNA, Bacterial, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S, Zebrafish
Abstract

Intestinal neoplasms are common in zebrafish (Danio rerio) research facilities. These tumours are most often seen in older fish and are classified as small cell carcinomas or adenocarcinomas. Affected fish populations always contain subpopulations with preneoplastic lesions, characterized by epithelial hyperplasia or inflammation. Previous observations indicated that these tumours are unlikely caused by diet, water quality or genetic background, suggesting an infectious aetiology. We performed five transmission experiments by exposure of naïve fish to affected donor fish by cohabitation or exposure to tank effluent water. Intestinal lesions were observed in recipient fish in all exposure groups, including transmissions from previous recipient fish, and moribund fish exhibited a higher prevalence of neoplasms. We found a single 16S rRNA sequence, most similar to Mycoplasma penetrans, to be highly enriched in the donors and exposed recipients compared to unexposed control fish. We further tracked the presence of the Mycoplasma sp. using a targeted PCR test on individual dissected intestines or faeces or tank faeces. Original donor and exposed fish populations were positive for Mycoplasma, while corresponding unexposed control fish were negative. This study indicates an infectious aetiology for these transmissible tumours of zebrafish and suggests a possible candidate agent of a Mycoplasma species.

DOI10.1111/jfd.12743
Alternate JournalJ Fish Dis
PubMed ID29023774
PubMed Central IDPMC5844789
Grant ListP40 RR012546 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
P50 GM098911 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA176579 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R24 OD010998 / OD / NIH HHS / United States