Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mainly including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), is an autoimmune gastrointestinal disease characterized by chronic inflammation and frequent ...recurrence. Accumulating evidence has confirmed that chronic psychological stress is considered to trigger IBD deterioration and relapse. Moreover, studies have demonstrated that patients with IBD have a higher risk of developing symptoms of anxiety and depression than healthy individuals. However, the underlying mechanism of the link between psychological stress and IBD remains poorly understood. This review used a psychoneuroimmunology perspective to assess possible neuro-visceral integration, immune modulation, and crucial intestinal microbiome changes in IBD. Furthermore, the bidirectionality of the brain–gut axis was emphasized in the context, indicating that IBD pathophysiology increases the inflammatory response in the central nervous system and further contributes to anxiety- and depression-like behavioral comorbidities. This information will help accurately characterize the link between psychological stress and IBD disease activity. Additionally, the clinical application of functional brain imaging, microbiota-targeted treatment, psychotherapy and antidepressants should be considered during the treatment and diagnosis of IBD with behavioral comorbidities. This review elucidates the significance of more high-quality research combined with large clinical sample sizes and multiple diagnostic methods and psychotherapy, which may help to achieve personalized therapeutic strategies for IBD patients based on stress relief.
This study aimed to examine the prevalence of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in fish inhabiting natural water bodies in the Lhasa and Nagqu regions of Tibet in September 2020 and August 2021. The ...results showed that Schizopygopsis selincuoensis had the highest prevalence of I. multifiliis at 33.73% (56/166), followed by Triplophysa tibetana at 30.00% (6/20), Triplophysa brevicauda at 27.91% (12/43) and Schizopygopsis thermalis at 23.66% (31/131). No infection with I. multifiliis was observed in exotic fish species. In addition, the prevalence of I. multifiliis in Boqu Zangbo (river), Selincuo Lake and Cuona Lake in the Nagqu region was found to be significantly higher than that in Lalu Wetland and Chabalang Wetland in the Lhasa region (P < 0.05). The study revealed a significantly lower prevalence in Lhasa River than in Cuona Lake (P < 0.05). Notably, our findings revealed instances of I. multifiliis infections even in saline water bodies, thereby emphasizing the potential threat that this parasite poses to the preservation of indigenous fish resources in Tibet. Consequently, immediate and effective countermeasures are imperative. This study represents the first systematic investigation of I. multifiliis infection in natural water bodies in Tibet.
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•I. multifiliis has been infected in different degrees in natural water bodies in Tibet.•The infection is more severe in areas with less human activity.•Native fish species have higher prevalence than exotic fish species.•Ciliates still survive in high salinity areas.
Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is a pathogenic ciliate parasite, which infects almost all freshwater teleost fish and leads to significant economic losses. The present study aimed to evaluate the acute ...toxicity of berberine to the free-living stages of I. multifiliis, that is, theronts and tomonts. Our results indicated that 99.30% of I. multifiliis theronts were killed by a concentration of 15 mg/L berberine during the 4 h exposure time, while berberine had no effect on protomonts. Nevertheless, berberine at a concentration of 5 mg/L could effectively reduce the release of theronts from tomonts treated for 4 h. Additionally, according to the transmission electron microscopy results, berberine at 15 mg/L could strongly change the shape of protomonts, destroy their organelles, and significantly decrease the number of ribosomes. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of berberine for goldfish at 96 h was 528.44 mg/L, which was almost 67 times the median effective concentration (EC50) of berberine for killing theronts (7.86 mg/L). The results demonstrated that berberine could be an effective and safe potential parasiticide for killing I. multifiliis.
Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni Chen, 1955 is an intestinal ciliate identified from the hindgut of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Although it was described quite a long time ago, its ...epidemiologic features and growth characteristics remain poorly understood. In the present study, the investigation of B. ctenopharyngodoni presence was conducted in different age groups of grass carp, and we also developed a self-made medium (BCM medium) to cultivate B. ctenopharyngodoni in vitro. In the grass carp fed on plant-based diets, balantidia were not identified before the age-1, whereas they were identified in fish above the age-1. In the fishes fed on the granular fish meal we did not identify any balantidia regardless of the age of the fish (age-1+ or age-2). BCM medium was effective for in vitro cultivation of B. ctenopharyngodoni, and polysaccharides were an essential nutrient for its growth. We also proposed potential infection mechanisms of B. ctenopharyngodoni in the grass carp above two summers of age.
•The prevalence and intensity of Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni in grass carp (juvenile to adult) were investigated.•B. ctenopharyngodoni can be cultivated in the BCM medium, which mainly contains starch, serum and intestinal bacteria.•The potential infection mechanisms of B. ctenopharyngodoni were proposed.
Abstract The Opalinida comprise ciliated protists that live as intestinal endoparasites in poikilothermic vertebrates. They are classified as one group of colourless Stramenopiles, the Opalinata, ...along with Proteromonadida (Proteromonas and Karotomorpha). The validity of certain opalinid genera is questionable, and their genetic relationships remain unclear. In this study, we conducted complete ribosomal DNA gene sequencing of nine opalinid species (belonging to Opalina, Protoopalina, Zelleriella, and Cepedea) from China. We compared the primary sequences, secondary structures, and characteristics of short tandem repeats within the expansion segments of the sequences. Additionally, a TimeTree analysis was performed to estimate divergence times. Our findings suggest that opalinids diverged from proteromonads ~250–220 Mya, with Protoopalina being the ancient genus. There is no genetic evidence supporting the differentiation of Cepedea and Bezzenbergeria as distinct genera, and they have been synonymized: Opalina (= Cepedea) and Protoopalina (= Bezzenbergeria); new combinations of species names are listed. Opalinid rDNA sequences exhibit greater length compared with other groups owing to A-T insertions within the expansion segments. These insertions consist of short tandem repeats and appear to be associated with speciation events that led to genus differentiation.
Ichthyophthiriasis, caused by the parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich), is considered one of the most harmful diseases affecting freshwater fish globally. It can cause mass ...mortalities of fish in intensive farming systems. In such systems, it is thus necessary to detect and quantify the number of Ich in the water so that control measures can be implemented before Ichthyophthiriasis breaks out. In recent years, molecular diagnostic methods have become increasingly important in aquaculture. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) have become robust assays for detecting pathogens. In this study, a set of specific primers and a TaqMan‐minor groove binder probe targeting the small‐subunit rDNA (SSU rDNA) of Ich were developed. They were used in qPCR and ddPCR assays to compare the performance of these two different methods in quantitatively detecting Ich. After optimizing the reaction conditions, both qPCR and ddPCR assays were found to have high linearity and quantitative correlations for standard plasmid DNA. When used for the detection of Ich eDNA in water samples, the qPCR assay had a wider detection range, making it a suitable method to screen for the prevalence of Ichthyophthiriasis. However, the ddPCR approach had higher sensitivity, which would help provide advance notice of the disease in complex water environmental samples.
Ciliates are considered the most harmful parasites of fish, causing mass mortalities and thus substantial economic losses to the aquaculture and ornamental fish industries. To better elucidate their ...pathogenic mechanisms and facilitate the development of effective prevention and control strategies, it is essential to apply novel technologies to ensure the continuous and sufficient supply of parasite specimens. This review discusses the latest research progress in the artificial culture of six important parasitic ciliates affecting both freshwater and marine fish globally: Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Cryptocaryon irritans, Chilodonella (C. hexasticha, C. piscicolaand C. uncinata), Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni, Scuticociliatida gen. spp., and Tetrahymena spp. Methods for in vitro and in vivo culture as well as cryopreservation/preservation (depending on the specific species) of these organisms are described herein. Challenges and future applications of parasite culture are also discussed.
•Nyctotheroides grimi n. sp. is described from the frog Fejervarya limnocharis•Genetic similarity between Nyctotheroides species suggest recent phylogenetic divergence•The morphological criteria ...differencing Nyctotherus and Nyctotheroides are revised
A new species of clevelandellid ciliate, Nyctotheroides grimi n. sp., is described from the frog Fejervarya limnocharis. Light and scanning electron microscopy were used for the morphological studies, and the DNA encoding the SSU rRNA gene (SSU rDNA) and the ITS1-5.8S subunit rRNA-ITS2 region (ITS) were sequenced for genetic comparisons and phylogenetic analysis. The main distinctive morphological feature is a knob-like projection in the left-posterior end; other differential characters are the cell size, the length of the oral groove and the shape of the infundibulum. Nyctotheroides grimi possess an apical suture line in the left and right side of the anterior end and in the left side of the caudal end. In the phylogenetic analyses, the new species engroups with other Nyctotheroides species forming a monophyletic group. The high similarity in the SSU rDNA and ITS sequences between Nyctotheroides species suggests a relative recent divergence. The genetic data and the different host range support the separation of Nyctotheroides and Nyctotherus; however the morphological criterion based on the presence (in Nyctotheroides)/absence (in Nyctothterus) of an apical kinetal suture line should be modified to consider the presence of kinetal suture lines in the apical and/or the caudal left side in Nyctotheroides.
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The redescription of Opalina obtrigonoidea Metcalf, 1923, collected from the rectum of the toads Duttaphrynus melanostictus, is presented in this paper based on detailed morphological information and ...molecular data. Our results revealed that O. obtrigonoidea varies greatly in body dimensions. Its morphological characteristics allow its differentiation from Opalina undulata. Surprisingly, we sequenced its SSU rDNA–ITS1–5.8S rDNA–ITS2–LSU rDNA (5′ end) and found the SSU rDNA of O. obtrigonoidea is nearly identical to that of O. undulata. However, there are differences in both the ITS1 and ITS2 regions that allow their distinction and confirm the morphological differences. Our results indicate that O. obtrigonoidea and O. undulata are closely related species in which morphological and genetic markers have evolved at different speeds. Due to this, the SSU rDNA gene may not be a valid marker for inter-species identification in Opalina, but the ITS is a valid marker for differentiating species in this genus.
Cover Image Wu, Shangong; Yoshinaga, Tomoyoshi; Li, Ming ...
Reviews in aquaculture,
01/2023, Volume:
15, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Byline: Ming Li, Giana Bastos Gomes, Weishan Zhao, Guangran Hu, Ke Huang, Tomoyoshi Yoshinaga, Theodore G. Clark, Wenxiang Li, Hong Zou, Shangong Wu, Guitang Wang
