Neobenedenia melleni-specific antibodies are associated with protection after continuous exposure in Mozambique tilapia.

Jennifer M Kishimori,Jo-Ann C Leong,Akihiro Takemura

doi:10.1155/2015/635387

Jennifer M Kishimori, Jo-Ann C Leong + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/635387

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Abstract

Neobenedenia melleni is a significant monogenean pathogen of fish in aquaculture facilities and public aquaria. Immunity after exposure to live N. melleni is well established, but the mechanisms of immunity remain unclear. In this study, tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) were continuously exposed to N. melleni over a four-month period and assessed for immunity as determined by a reduction in the number of parasites dislodged from the experimental animals during freshwater immersion. Specific mucosal and systemic antibody levels were by determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. At 45 days postexposure (DPE), fish displayed high parasite loads and baseline levels of mucosal antibodies. At 102 and 120 DPE parasite loads were significantly decreased, and antibody levels were significantly increased for mucus and plasma samples. The correlation between immunity (reduction in parasite load) and an increased humoral antibody response suggests a key role of antibody in the immune response. This is the first report of immunity against N. melleni that is associated with specific mucosal or systemic antibodies.

Highlights

IntroductionNeobenedenia melleni (synonymous N. girellae Whittington and Horton [1]) is a monogenean ectoparasite that affects over 100 species of marine teleost families in aquaculture facilities and public aquaria (Whittington and Horton [1])
Neobenedenia melleni is a monogenean ectoparasite that affects over 100 species of marine teleost families in aquaculture facilities and public aquaria (Whittington and Horton [1])
Tilapia continuously exposed to N. melleni displayed marked immunity and increased antiparasite mucosal and systemic antibodies

Summary

Introduction

Neobenedenia melleni (synonymous N. girellae Whittington and Horton [1]) is a monogenean ectoparasite that affects over 100 species of marine teleost families in aquaculture facilities and public aquaria (Whittington and Horton [1]). Acquired protection (immunity) against N. melleni following exposure has been well-documented but the basis for this immunity remains unclear (Nigrelli [4], BondadReantaso et al [5], Robinson et al [6], and Ohno et al [7]). Mucus from N. melleniexposed fish has been shown to have in vitro antiparasitic effects (Nigrelli [4] and Robinson et al [6]). Pathogen-specific mucus antibody associated with protection in fish has been shown for metazoans (Rogers-Lowery et al [12]), protozoans (Luo et al [13]), and bacteria (Esteve-Gassent et al [14]). The purpose of this study was to document the mucosal immune response associated with acquired protection (immunity) in the tilapia during continuous exposure to N. melleni

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