Three Myxosporeans Found in the Cranial and Branchial Tissues of Rainbow Trout in California

Abstract

Abstract Three myxosporeans were encountered in the cranial tissues of a California population of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss examined for the presence of Myxobolus cerebralis, the causative agent of whirling disease. Typical spores of M. cerebralis and a previously undescribed species of Myxobolus were found in the cranial tissues prepared by the pepsin HCl-trypsin digestion method. Henneguya zschokkei was also detected in digest preparations of cranial tissues, but was more numerous when branchial cartilage was included in the preparations. Microscopic examinations of tissues of individual rainbow trout showed occasional infections with both myxobolid species. Myxobolus cerebralis trophozoites and spores were found in the cranial and gill cartilage, and Myxobolus sp. was found in the brain and spinal cord. Henneguya zschokkei was also found within granulomas in the connective tissues below the gill arch. Both M. cerebralis and H. zschokkei were associated with a chronic inflammatory response in th...