Inter-Research > DAO > v36 > n3 > p221-226  
DAO
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

via Mailchimp

DAO 36:221-226 (1999)  -  doi:10.3354/dao036221

Survival of spores of the oyster pathogen Marteilia sydneyi (Protozoa, Paramyxea) as assessed using fluorogenic dyes

S. J. Wesche1,*, R. D. Adlard2, R. J. G. Lester1

1Department of Parasitology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
2Protozoa Section, Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane Q4101, Australia

ABSTRACT: Sporonts of the paramyxean protist Marteilia sydneyi, aetiological agent of 'QX' disease in the Sydney rock oyster Saccostrea commercialis, were isolated from infected oysters and maintained under various physical conditions to assess their survival. Survival was determined using 2 fluorogenic dyes, propidium iodide and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. The effects of salinity, temperature, ingestion by natural oyster predators, freezing and chlorination were examined. Dye exclusion indicated that spores were short-lived once isolated from the oyster, with the majority dead within 7 to 9 d. Maximum longevity recorded was 35 d at 15°C and 34 ppt. Experiments to investigate the effects of ingestion by fish and birds revealed that spores did not survive for more than 2 h under these conditions, suggesting that it is unlikely that fish or birds play a significant role in the life cycle or dispersal of this parasite. Spores apparently remained viable for over 7 mo when frozen at -20 and -70°C. Chlorine treatments of 200 ppm killed 99.5% of spores within 2 h and all spores within 4 h of exposure.


KEY WORDS: Viability · Marteilia sydneyi · Propidium iodide · 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole · QX · Saccostrea commercialis · Fluorogenic dyes


Full text in pdf format
 Previous article Next article