Brian M. Becker, Idan Banson, James M. Walker, Anant Deshwal, Matthew W. Brown, Jeffery D. Silberman
{"title":"Isolation of Naegleria lustrarea n. sp. (Excavata, Discoba, Heterolobosea) from the feces of Ambystoma annulatum (Ringed Salamander) in Northwest Arkansas","authors":"Brian M. Becker, Idan Banson, James M. Walker, Anant Deshwal, Matthew W. Brown, Jeffery D. Silberman","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13031","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13031","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The salamander, <i>Ambystoma annulatum</i>, is considered a “species of special concern” in the state of Arkansas, USA, due to its limited geographic range, specialized habitat requirements and low population size. Although metazoan parasites have been documented in this salamander species, neither its native protists nor microbiome have yet been evaluated. This is likely due to the elusive nature and under-sampling of the animal. Here, we initiate the cataloguing of microbial associates with the identification of a new heterlobosean species, <i>Naegleria lustrarea</i> n. sp. (Excavata, Discoba, Heterolobosea), isolated from feces of an adult <i>A</i>. <i>annulatum</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jeu.13031","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140897953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Microsporidia: Pervasive natural pathogens of Caenorhabditis elegans and related nematodes","authors":"Spencer S. Gang, Vladimir Lažetić","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13027","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13027","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The nematode <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> is an invaluable host model for studying infections caused by various pathogens, including microsporidia. Microsporidia represent the first natural pathogens identified in <i>C. elegans</i>, revealing the previously unknown <i>Nematocida</i> genus of microsporidia. Following this discovery, the utilization of nematodes as a model host has rapidly expanded our understanding of microsporidia biology and has provided key insights into the cell and molecular mechanisms of antimicrosporidia defenses. Here, we first review the isolation history, morphological characteristics, life cycles, tissue tropism, genetics, and host immune responses for the four most well-characterized <i>Nematocida</i> species that infect <i>C. elegans</i>. We then highlight additional examples of microsporidia that infect related terrestrial and aquatic nematodes, including parasitic nematodes. To conclude, we assess exciting potential applications of the nematode-microsporidia system while addressing the technical advances necessary to facilitate future growth in this field.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140831281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
William Bourland, Ondřej Pomahač, Kateřina Poláková, Ivan Čepička
{"title":"Redescription and molecular characterization of Loxocephalus luridus Eberhard, 1862 based on Czech populations: Implications for order Loxocephalida Jankowski, 1980","authors":"William Bourland, Ondřej Pomahač, Kateřina Poláková, Ivan Čepička","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13028","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13028","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The phylogenetic and taxonomic affinities of lineages currently assigned to the non-monophyletic ciliate order Loxocephalida Jankowski (1980) within subclass Scuticociliatia Small (1967) remain unresolved. In the current study, we redescribe the morphology of the type species, <i>Loxocephalus luridus</i> Eberhard (1862) based on two Czech populations and include the first scanning and transmission electron microscopy images of the species. We provide the first 18S rRNA gene sequences for <i>L. luridus</i> and consider its phylogenetic position. Our results support the separation of <i>Dexiotricha</i> from <i>Loxocephalus</i>; however, the former genus is recovered as non-monophyletic. The monophyly of genus <i>Dexiotricha</i> and that of <i>Loxocephalus + Dexiotricha</i> is rejected. <i>Loxocephalus luridus</i>, together with <i>Dexiotricha</i> species, nests within a fully supported clade with <i>Conchophthirus</i> species, long presumed to belong to the Pleuronematida. <i>Haptophrya</i> is recovered as sister to this clade. The monophyly of the Astomatia Schewiakoff (1896) including <i>Haptophrya</i> is rejected. No clear morphologic synapomorphy is identified for the fully supported clade consisting of <i>Haptophrya</i>, <i>Dexiotricha</i>, <i>Loxocephalus</i>, and <i>Conchophthirus</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140590141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Parker Parrella, Annabelle B. Elikan, Jonathan W. Snow
{"title":"Pathogen- and host-directed pharmacologic strategies for control of Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. infection in honey bees","authors":"Parker Parrella, Annabelle B. Elikan, Jonathan W. Snow","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13026","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13026","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites of the Fungal Kingdom that cause widespread infections in nature, with important effects on invertebrates involved in food production systems. The two microsporidian species <i>Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae</i> (and the less common <i>Vairimorpha (Nosema) apis</i>) can cause individual disease in honey bees and contribute to colony collapse. The efficacy, safety, and availability of fumagillin, the only drug currently approved to treat microsporidia infection in bees, is uncertain. In this review, we will discuss some of the most promising alternative strategies for the mitigation of <i>Vairimorpha</i> spp. with an emphasis on infection by <i>V. ceranae</i>, now the dominant species infecting bees. We will focus on pharmacologic interventions where the mechanism of action is known and examine both pathogen-directed and host-directed approaches. As limiting toxicity to host cells has been especially emphasized in treating bees that are already facing numerous stressors, strategies that disrupt pathogen-specific targets may be especially advantageous. Therefore, efforts to increase the knowledge and tools for facilitating the discovery of such targets and pharmacologic agents directed against them should be prioritized.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140590208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jonathan Tersigni, Hala Tamim El Jarkass, Edward B. James, Aaron W. Reinke
{"title":"Interactions between microsporidia and other members of the microbiome","authors":"Jonathan Tersigni, Hala Tamim El Jarkass, Edward B. James, Aaron W. Reinke","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13025","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13025","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The microbiome is the collection of microbes that are associated with a host. Microsporidia are intracellular eukaryotic parasites that can infect most types of animals. In the last decade, there has been much progress to define the relationship between microsporidia and the microbiome. In this review, we cover an increasing number of reports suggesting that microsporidia are common components of the microbiome in both invertebrates and vertebrates. These microsporidia infections can range from mutualistic to pathogenic, causing several physiological phenotypes, including death. Infection with microsporidia often causes a disruption in the normal microbiome, with both increases and decreases of bacterial, fungal, viral, and protozoan species being observed. This impact on the microbiome can occur through upregulation and downregulation of innate immunity as well as morphological changes to tissues that impact interactions with these microbes. Other microbes, particularly bacteria, can inhibit microsporidia and have been exploited to control microsporidia infections. These bacteria can function through regulating immunity, secreting anti-microsporidia compounds, and, in engineered versions, expressing double-stranded RNA targeting microsporidia genes. We end this review by discussing potential future directions to further understand the complex interactions between microsporidia and the other members of the microbiome.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jeu.13025","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140335847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anders Alfjorden, Ioana Onut-Brännström, Niklas Wengström, Arni Kristmundsson, Mahwash Jamy, B. David Persson, Fabien Burki
{"title":"Identification of a new gregarine parasite associated with mass mortality events of freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera) in Sweden","authors":"Anders Alfjorden, Ioana Onut-Brännström, Niklas Wengström, Arni Kristmundsson, Mahwash Jamy, B. David Persson, Fabien Burki","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13021","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13021","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Freshwater bivalves play key ecological roles in lakes and rivers, largely contributing to healthy ecosystems. The freshwater pearl mussel, <i>Margaritifera margaritifera</i>, is found in Europe and on the East coast of North America. Once common in oxygenated streams, <i>M</i>. <i>margaritifera</i> is rapidly declining and consequently assessed as a threatened species worldwide. Deterioration of water quality has been considered the main factor for the mass mortality events affecting this species. Yet, the role of parasitic infections has not been investigated. Here, we report the discovery of three novel protist lineages found in Swedish populations of <i>M</i>. <i>margaritifera</i> belonging to one of the terrestrial groups of gregarines (Eugregarinorida, Apicomplexa). These lineages are closely related–but clearly separated–from the tadpole parasite <i>Nematopsis temporariae</i>. In one lineage, which is specifically associated with mortality events of <i>M</i>. <i>margaritifera</i>, we found cysts containing single vermiform zoites in the gills and other organs of diseased individuals using microscopy and in situ hybridization. This represents the first report of a parasitic infection in <i>M</i>. <i>margaritifera</i> that may be linked to the decline of this mussel species. We propose a tentative life cycle with the distribution of different developmental stages and potential exit from the host into the environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jeu.13021","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140119623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel cytoskeletal traits in the intestinal parasites (Squirmida, Platyproteum vivax) of Pacific peanut worms (Sipuncula, Phascolosoma agassizii)","authors":"Danja Currie-Olsen, Brian S. Leander","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13023","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13023","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The cytoskeletal organization of a squirmid, namely <i>Platyproteum vivax</i>, was investigated with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to refine inferences about convergent evolution among intestinal parasites of marine invertebrates. <i>Platyproteum</i> inhabits Pacific peanut worms (<i>Phascolosoma agassizii</i>) and has traits that are similar to other lineages of myzozoan parasites, namely gregarine apicomplexans within <i>Selenidium</i>, such as conspicuous feeding stages, called “trophozoites,” capable of dynamic undulations. SEM and CLSM of <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i> revealed an inconspicuous flagellar apparatus and a uniform array of longitudinal microtubules organized in bundles (LMBs). Extreme flattening of the trophozoites and a consistently oblique morphology of the anterior end provided a reliable way to distinguish dorsal and ventral surfaces. CLSM revealed a novel system of microtubules oriented in the flattened dorsoventral plane. Most of these dorsoventral microtubule bundles (DVMBs) had a punctate distribution and were evenly spaced along a curved line spanning the longitudinal axis of the trophozoites. This configuration of microtubules is inferred to function in maintaining the flattened shape of the trophozoites and facilitate dynamic undulations. The novel traits in <i>Platyproteum</i> are consistent with phylogenomic data showing that this lineage is only distantly related to <i>Selenidium</i> and other marine gregarine apicomplexans with dynamic intestinal trophozoites.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jeu.13023","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139944206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julie Meilland, Michael Siccha, Raphaël Morard, Michal Kucera
{"title":"Continuous reproduction of planktonic foraminifera in laboratory culture","authors":"Julie Meilland, Michael Siccha, Raphaël Morard, Michal Kucera","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13022","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13022","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Planktonic foraminifera were long considered obligate sexual outbreeders but recent observations have shown that nonspinose species can reproduce by multiple fission. The frequency of multiple fission appears low but the survival rate of the offspring is high and specimens approaching fission can be distinguished. We made use of this observation and established a culturing protocol aimed at enhancing the detection and frequency of fission. Using this protocol, we selectively cultured specimens of <i>Neogloboquadrina pachyderma</i> and raised the frequency of reproduction by fission in culture from 3% in randomly selected specimens to almost 60%. By feeding the resulting offspring different strains of live diatoms, we obtained a thriving offspring population and during the subsequent 6 months of culturing, we observed two more successive generations produced by fission. This provides evidence that in nonspinose species of planktonic foraminifera, reproduction by multiple fission is likely clonal and corresponds to the schizont phase known from benthic foraminifera. We subsequently tested if a similar culturing strategy could be applied to <i>Globigerinita glutinata</i>, representing a different clade of planktonic foraminifera, and we were indeed able to obtain offspring via multiple fission in this species. This work opens new avenues for laboratory-based experimental work with planktonic foraminifera.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jeu.13022","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139944205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nicholas Fry, Gabriel A. Schuler, Robert E. Jones, Peter G. Kooienga, Violet Jira, Maggie Shepherd, Alexander K. Tice, Matthew W. Brown
{"title":"Living in the cracks: Two novel genera of Variosea (Amoebozoa) discovered on an urban sidewalk","authors":"Nicholas Fry, Gabriel A. Schuler, Robert E. Jones, Peter G. Kooienga, Violet Jira, Maggie Shepherd, Alexander K. Tice, Matthew W. Brown","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13020","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13020","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Biological soil crusts represent a rich habitat for diverse and complex eukaryotic microbial communities. A unique but extremely common habitat is the urban sidewalk and its cracks that collect detritus. While these habitats are ubiquitous across the globe, little to no work has been conducted to characterize protists found there. Amoeboid protists are major predators of bacteria and other microbial eukaryotes in these microhabitats and therefore play a substantial ecological role. From sidewalk crack soil crusts, we have isolated three naked amoebae with finely tapered subpseudopodia, and a simple life cycle consisting of a trophic amoeba and a cyst stage. Using a holistic approach including light, electron, and fluorescence microscopy as well as phylogenetics using the ribosomal small subunit rRNA gene and phylogenomics using 230 nuclear genes, we find that these amoeboid organisms fail to match any previously described eukaryote genus. However, we determined the amoebae belong to the amoebozoan lineage Variosea based on phylogenetics. The molecular analyses place our isolates in two novel genera forming a grade at the base of the variosean group Protosteliida. These three novel varioseans among two novel genera and species are herein named “<i>Kanabo kenzan</i>” and “<i>Parakanabo toge</i>.”</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139491562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Morteza Shams, Ali Mohammad Bahrami, Asma Mousivand, Laya Shamsi, Ali Asghari, Saeed Shahabi, Alireza Sadrebazzaz
{"title":"First molecular characterization of Blastocystis subtypes from domestic animals (sheep and cattle) and their animal-keepers in Ilam, western Iran: A zoonotic concern","authors":"Morteza Shams, Ali Mohammad Bahrami, Asma Mousivand, Laya Shamsi, Ali Asghari, Saeed Shahabi, Alireza Sadrebazzaz","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13019","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13019","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A total of 360 fecal samples were randomly collected from 150 cattle, 150 sheep, and 60 humans (30 people with close animal contact and 30 individuals without close animal contact) at 10 farms in Ilam, western Iran from June 2022 to August 2023. All samples were directly examined for <i>Blastocystis</i> by zinc sulfate flotation, followed by microscopic observation. Positive samples were further subtyped using conventional PCR and sequencing methods. A mean prevalence of 5.3% (16/300) was estimated for <i>Blastocystis</i> infection among examined animals, with 6% and 4.7% for cattle and sheep, respectively. Among the people who had close and non-close animal contact, 16.7% (5/30) and 3.3% (1/30) were infected with <i>Blastocystis</i>, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.05). All 22 positive samples were successfully sequenced at the SSU rRNA locus. Accordingly, <i>Blastocystis</i> isolates infecting domestic animals in Ilam belonged to the four STs (ST1-ST3, and ST10). Of the 16 animal isolates, nine sequences (four ST10, three ST3, and two ST1) were related to cattle, and seven sequences (three ST10, two ST3, and two ST2) were isolated from sheep. Among the six human isolates, ST3 was the most predominant ST, followed by STs 1, 2, 6, and 7 (one case each). Of note, ST1-ST3 were isolated in various farms both from animals and their breeders, which indicates the possible circulation of these STs between animal and human populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139471940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}