Development and maintenance of a specific pathogen-free (SPF) zebrafish research facility for Pseudoloma neurophilia.

TitleDevelopment and maintenance of a specific pathogen-free (SPF) zebrafish research facility for Pseudoloma neurophilia.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsKent, ML, Buchner, C, Watral, VG, Sanders, JL, LaDu, J, Peterson, TS, Tanguay, RL
JournalDis Aquat Organ
Volume95
Issue1
Pagination73-9
Date Published2011 May 24
ISSN0177-5103
KeywordsAnimal Husbandry, Animals, Fish Diseases, Microsporidia, Research, Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms, Zebrafish
Abstract

Pseudoloma neurophilia (Microsporidia) is very common in zebrafish Danio rerio research facilities. A new zebrafish facility has been established at the Sinnhuber Aquatic Resource Laboratory (SARL), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, U.S.A., and this was an opportunity to establish a specific pathogen-free (SPF) colony of zebrafish for this microsporidium. Progeny from 9 zebrafish lines (n=2203) were initially transferred to the SARL facility in 2007 following PCR screening of broodstock and a subpopulation of progeny (258 of 1000 fish from each family). Screening of fish for P. neurophilia within the facility was conducted as follows: (1) Moribund or dead fish were examined by histology. (2) Each line was regenerated on a 4 mo rotation, and a subsample of each of these major propagations (60 fry, in pools of 10) was PCR-screened at 10 d post hatch. (3) Adult fish (approximately 1 yr old) from each line were euthanized; 20 fish were examined by histology and the brains of another 60 fish (in pools of 5) were screened by PCR. (4) This screening was replicated on sentinel fish held in 4 tanks receiving effluent water from all tanks in the facility (20 fish per tank). (5) Four-month old fish (n=760) from a toxicology study conducted within the laboratory were examined by histology. To date, we have evaluated 2800 fish by PCR and 1222 fish by histology without detecting P. neurophilia. Thus, we have established 9 lines of zebrafish SPF for P. neurophilia. However, 26 fish exhibited mycobacteriosis, with acid-fast bacteria present in tissue sections, and 49 other fish had incidental lesions.

DOI10.3354/dao02333
Alternate JournalDis. Aquat. Org.
PubMed ID21797038
PubMed Central IDPMC3956677
Grant ListP30 ES000210 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
R24 RR017386 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
T32 RR023917 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
5R24RR017386-02 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States