Journal of invertebrate pathology最新文献

{"title":"Effects of fucoidan and quercetin on protecting crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) against infection with white spot syndrome virus","authors":"Qingri Jin ,&nbsp;Xinyu Ji ,&nbsp;Xiali Wei ,&nbsp;Jing Gong ,&nbsp;Fei Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108433","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108433","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) acts as a dangerous pathogen which threats the farming of crustaceans. This study aims to investigate the effect of diet supplemented with fucoidan and quercetin on the immunity and disease resistance of crayfish by studying the apoptosis of hemocytes, crayfish mortality rate and related immune parameters. The feed additive combination of 30 mg/kg fucoidan and 40 mg/kg quercetin (fucoidan + quercetin) significantly improved by 45 % the survival of crayfish (<em>Procambarus clarkii</em>) after infection with WSSV. The fucoidan + quercetin enhanced the total hemocyte counts in crayfish with or without WSSV infection. The combined diet of fucoidan and quercetin has a protective effect on the hemocytes of crayfish, and can reduce the apoptosis of hemocytes after WSSV infection. In addition, the combined diet of fucoidan and quercetin can affect the activities of various immune-related enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), phenoloxidase (PO), catalase (CAT), lysozyme (LZM), acid phosphatase (ACP), and peroxidase (POD), thus modulating the related immune processes. In conclusion, the combination of fucoidan and quercetin can regulate crayfish’s innate immunity and reduce mortality of crayfish after infection with WSSV.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 108433"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144890358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chronic Aphanomyces astaci infection in wild white-clawed crayfish: risks and implications for breeding programs","authors":"Andrea Basso ,&nbsp;Valentina Paolini ,&nbsp;Laura Martín-Torrijos ,&nbsp;José Vladimir Sandoval-Sierra ,&nbsp;Amedeo Manfrin ,&nbsp;Javier Diéguez-Uribeondo ,&nbsp;Tobia Pretto","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108434","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108434","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Aphanomyces astaci</em> is the oomycete responsible for crayfish plague, a disease with devastating effects on susceptible crayfish populations across Eurasia. Recently, low virulence strains of this oomycete, mostly belonging to genetic group A, have been reported to coexist with European crayfish species. Between 2011 and 2020, 19 populations of white-clawed crayfish, <em>Austropotamobius pallipes</em> complex, were monitored in North-eastern Italy to detect the presence of <em>A. astaci</em> using molecular assays. Chronic infection was documented in eight populations, two of which were found to be persistently thriving despite <em>A. astaci</em> infection, remaining positive for the pathogen for at least two years. For conservation purposes, broodstock were collected from wild populations of <em>A. pallipes</em> where <em>A. astaci</em> had not been detected and housed in a breeding facility. However, a few months after the last introduction of broodstock into the facility, a crayfish plague outbreak ensued, leading to an extended mortality period of seven months. The <em>A. astaci</em> strain responsible for the outbreak, identified as genotype and haplotype group A, was isolated and characterised by three independent molecular methods: RAPD-PCR, mtDNA and genotype-specific nuclear markers. Epidemiological evaluations suggested that the pathogen was introduced into the facility via broodstock carrying an undetected chronic infection. The observed mortality was probably triggered by a combination of biotic and abiotic stressors. These findings highlight the importance of an appropriate health monitoring of the broodstock collected for ex situ breeding purposes and are notably relevant to the conservation of the European crayfish species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108434"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144957517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Outbreeding of isofemale lines as a candidate approach to improve the quality of thelytokous Wolbachia-infected line of the egg parasitoid, Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae","authors":"Hong-Yu Liang ,&nbsp;Ying Shan ,&nbsp;Qian-Jin Dong ,&nbsp;Jin-Cheng Zhou ,&nbsp;Xiao-Hui Ma ,&nbsp;Li-Sheng Zhang ,&nbsp;Wu-Nan Che ,&nbsp;Hui Dong","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108430","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108430","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The egg parasitoids, <em>Trichogramma</em> spp. are important biological control agents targeting various lepidopteran pests in agriculture. However, laboratory rearing often reduces genetic diversity, and potentially decreased fitness of <em>Trichogramma</em> wasps. Besides, infection of parthenogenesis-inducing <em>Wolbachia</em> allow <em>Trichogramma</em> females to produce nearly 100 % females, but may decrease fitness of infected females. This study investigated whether outbreeding the <em>Wolbachia</em>-infected thelytokous line (Td-W) with the high-fecundity bisexual line (Td-H) could improve its fitness. Furthermore, a bisexual <em>Wolbachia</em>-free line (Td), sharing the same genetic background as Td-W, and a line with less favorable traits (Td-L) were involved in cross-breeding experiments. The results showed that Td-W females could mate and be fertilized by bisexual males. Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis revealed no significant difference in the proportion of heterozygous offspring between mated Td-W and uninfected bisexual females. Outbreeding significantly increased the fecundity and body size of infected and uninfected offspring. Heterozygous offspring exhibited heterosis in fecundity and body size, regardless of <em>Wolbachia</em> infection, and displayed heterosis in emergence rates in Td-H♂×Td♀, Td♂×Td-L♀, and Td-L♂×Td♀ crosses. However, the emergence rate of <em>Wolbachia</em>-infected heterozygous offspring was lower than that of their Td-H or Td-L parents. Additionally, the adult longevity of heterozygous offspring did not differ significantly from that of their parents, irrespective of <em>Wolbachia</em> infection. Our findings suggest that outbreeding enhances fecundity and body size of <em>Wolbachia</em>-infected <em>T. dendrolimi</em>, regardless of the particular bisexual isofemale line used. This study proposes a strategy to improve the quality of <em>Wolbachia</em>-infected <em>Trichogramma</em> by outbreeding different isofemale lines before field release in biological control programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 108430"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144911862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immune response varies among members of a fungus-infected ant society","authors":"Kincső Orbán-Bakk ,&nbsp;Eva Schultner ,&nbsp;Jürgen Heinze ,&nbsp;Bálint Markó ,&nbsp;Enikő Csata","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108432","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108432","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Social insect colonies are known to be targeted by a wide variety of different parasites and pathogens because of the dense cohabitation of many highly related individuals. However, within a colony, the level of risk of exposure could vary among different groups depending on their social role. Unlike many parasites, which mostly affect specific groups of individuals, e.g. foragers, the myrmecoparasitic fungus <em>Rickia wasmannii</em> infects entire ant colonies, causing subtle changes in physiology, morphology and behaviour. We investigated how different groups within a colony respond to fungal infection by measuring the expression of the genes <em>defensin 1</em> and <em>prophenoloxidase</em>, both vital components of ant immunity. We found that workers, queens and larvae varied considerably in defensin levels, though not in <em>prophenoloxidase</em> expression. In same-age workers, both <em>prophenoloxidase</em> and <em>defensin 1</em> levels exhibited increases in correlation with parasite loads. In queens, only the body size appeared to influence immune gene expression, with larger individuals exhibiting higher levels of <em>defensin 1</em>. However, in workers, morphological and physiological traits did not correlate with gene expression. Larvae did not show any discernible response in immune gene expression, reflecting that they are typically not infected by the fungus. Our study reveals considerable variation in the immune response among different groups within ant colonies. These diverging reactions likely stem from differences in exposure to parasites, as well as differences in immunocompetence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 108432"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144890357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Beauveria bassiana on immune responses in the silkworm, Bombyx mori: focus on haemocyte dynamics","authors":"Jinhua Fan ,&nbsp;Lingzhi Wu ,&nbsp;Xinxiang Fan ,&nbsp;Zixiao Li ,&nbsp;Guizhen Yuan ,&nbsp;Yong Bi ,&nbsp;Baozhen Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108424","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108424","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The immune responses of insects are crucial for their defense against invasive foreign pathogens. This study investigates the interactions between entomopathogenic fungi and insect immune responses, specifically examining the effects of <em>Beauveria bassiana</em> on the circulating blood cells of silkworms (<em>Bombyx mori</em>). Utilizing haemocytometry, electron microscopy, and trypan blue staining, we assessed total blood cell counts along with granulocytes (GR) and plasmatocytes (PL). Significant reductions in total circulating blood cells of silkworms were observed across all treatment groups compared to the control (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) at concentrations of 1 × 10⁵, 1 × 10⁶, and 1 × 10⁷ spores/mL. Notably, the 1 × 10⁷ spores/mL treatment resulted in a marked decrease in blood cell numbers at 3 h post-infection, indicating a robust cellular immune response. The GR count initially increased but decreased significantly at 3 h post-treatment in the highest concentration group, likely due to their rapid consumption during heightened immune activity. In contrast, the PL count decreased significantly at 0 h post-treatment and continued to decrease, reaching a minimum at 6 h. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed morphological alterations in blood cells, including membrane damage and cytoplasmic leakage, which correlated with the observed declines in cell viability. The survival rate of blood cells significantly decreased, reaching a low of 21.24 % at 36 h post-treatment in the 1 × 10⁷ spores/mL group. Additionally, an increase in nodule formation was observed, peaking at 6 h post-infection in the high-concentration treatment, indicating an active immune response. These findings illustrate the pathogenic effects of <em>B. bassiana</em> on silkworm blood cells and enhance our understanding of immune system dynamics in response to fungal infection, providing insights into the potential applications of entomopathogenic fungi for biological control strategies in pest management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 108424"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144873592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pre-fired microsporidian spores lose their infectivity in shrimp","authors":"Orawan Thepmanee ,&nbsp;Krittapron Keawpanya ,&nbsp;Chanadda Kasamechotchung ,&nbsp;Pattana Jaroenlak","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108431","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108431","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shrimp industry has been negatively impacted by growth retardation and size variation, which are caused by an infectious disease called hepatopancreatic microsporidiosis (HPM). The causative agent of HPM is a microsporidian <em>Ecytonucleospora (Enterocytozoon) hepatopenaei</em> or EHP. EHP invades shrimp hepatopancreatic cells by a spore stage, which can germinate when the spore encounters suitable conditions. During the spore germination, a specialized organelle called the polar tube extrudes from the spore and pierces the host cell membrane. Recently, our lab has identified that potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) and sodium hydrogen phthalate (NaHP) are able to induce the EHP spore germination, <em>in vitro</em>. We hypothesized that if the spores are germinated prior to encountering shrimp, the spores would lose their infectivity. To test this hypothesis, we pre-germinated spores with optimal concentrations of KHP, NaHP, and phloxine B, which are 50 mM, 100 mM, and 2 %, respectively. Pre-germinated spores were immersed into the aquarium containing naive <em>Penaeus vannamei</em> (PL12 stage). The EHP spores in 1X PBS were used as a control. After 14 days of immersion, the EHP infections were tested by a nested PCR using a spore wall protein gene as a target. The results showed that all pre-germinated spore groups had no infection, while the infection rate was 60 % in the control group. These results were confirmed by histology. Staining the hepatopancreatic tissues using a nuclear staining dye showed positive EHP infection in the control group, but not in the pre-germinated spore groups. Our results suggest that pre-germinated EHP spores lose their infectivity in the laboratory setting. The use of KHP and NaHP as anti-EHP agents need to be further tested in the farm setting. The <em>in vivo</em> infection assay developed here could also be used as a pipeline to investigate new compounds that potentially decrease EHP spore infectivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 108431"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144865036","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rational protein design to improve the thermal stability of a Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3A protein","authors":"Thanapon Kunlawatwimon ,&nbsp;Boonhiang Promdonkoy ,&nbsp;Panadda Boonserm","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108429","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108429","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vip3A proteins produced by the <em>Bacillus thuringiensis</em> bacterium exhibit insecticidal activity against various crop-damaging lepidopteran pests. However, their limited thermal stability and short shelf life render them unsuitable for use as biopesticides. In this study, we employed rational protein design to enhance the thermal stability of Vip3A64 while minimizing its negative impact on insecticidal activity. This involves substituting potential amino acids based on structural data and using a computational tool (HoTMuSiC) to predict the effect of mutations on the protein’s thermal stability as defined by the melting temperature (Tm). We then introduced eight single amino acid substitutions (V239T, V320K, A351C, A351F, D621I, N633Y, E754W, and Q771I) into the tetrameric core and solvent-exposed domains of Vip3Aa64. As determined by the protein thermal shift (PTS) assays, the N633Y and V239T mutants exhibit higher protein melting temperatures than those of the wild type, indicating their enhanced thermal stability. In contrast to other mutants, V239T and N633Y retained their insecticidal activity after one hour of exposure to the high temperature of 55 ˚C. Furthermore, after one month of storage at 37 ˚C, N633Y was the only mutant capable of killing <em>Spodoptera<!--> <!-->exigua</em> larvae, indicating that it is more stable than the other mutants and the wild type. This study highlights the potential of rational protein design to improve thermal stability and provides a framework for developing effective insecticidal proteins for sustainable agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 108429"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144865037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insect immunity against microsporidia","authors":"Sergey A. Timofeev ,&nbsp;Viacheslav V. Dolgikh ,&nbsp;Yuliya Y. Sokolova","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108426","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108426","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microsporidia are a group of fungi-related, unicellular eukaryotic parasites that, over the course of their long evolutionary history, have colonized a wide range of hosts from other unicellular organisms to mammals. A significant portion of the described microsporidian species infect insects, including economically important ones such as honeybees and silkworms. Microsporidia infect representatives of all insect orders, and their diversification often parallels that of their hosts. Their widespread distribution among insects suggests an ability to overcome host defense mechanisms. This review summarizes the latest findings on how the insect immune system responds to microsporidian infections and how these parasites evade key immune defenses. Insect defense mechanisms — including behavioral responses in social insects, physical barriers in the intestine, and the production of antimicrobial peptides — appear to be of limited effectiveness against microsporidia, due to the unique features of their life cycle and spore structure. However, key immune responses such as apoptosis of infected cells, oxidative stress, and hemocyte-mediated reactions like melanization play a crucial role in defending insects against these parasites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 108426"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144852258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Whole genome sequencing reveals recA gene recombination, virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and emergence of clonal complexes in Vibrio parahaemolyticus associated with acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimp","authors":"C.W.R. Gunasekara,&nbsp;L.G.T.G. Rajapaksha,&nbsp;S.H.M.P. Wimalasena,&nbsp;H.N.K.S. Pathirana,&nbsp;Gee-wook Shin","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108423","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108423","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The AHPN disease, caused by <em>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</em>, is a critical threat to global shrimp aquaculture. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed 5 AHPND-associated <em>V. parahaemolyticus</em> genomes, referred to as CGVP strains (CGVP3, CGVP8, CGVP10, CGVP11, and CGVP18) that were isolated during the 2016 disease outbreak in Korea. These genomes, averaging ∼ 5.3 Mbp, consist of two circular chromosomes (3.3–3.4 Mbp and 1.8–2.0 Mbp) and a 69 kbp plasmid carrying <em>pirAB^vp</em> toxin genes. Within the genomes, a unique 20.6 kbp insertion in the <em>recA</em> gene, characterized by a lower GC content and 15 open reading frames (ORF), was identified, suggesting a novel genetic recombination event. The phylogenetic and population analyses assigned these genomes to a clonal complex (CC) named CC 917, which exhibits high intra-complex similarity (1–826 SNPs and 99.62–99.98 % ANI) but diverges significantly from strains outside this complex (&gt;20,000 SNPs, &lt;98.09 % ANI). Comparative plasmid analysis revealed high ANI (≥99.86 %) among CC 917 plasmids despite its differences in phylogenetic clustering. Antibiotic resistance profiling identified conserved resistance genes for tetracyclines, beta-lactams, and fluoroquinolones in the CC 917. Virulence factor analysis highlighted diverse profiles for adherence, antiphagocytosis, and chemotaxis genes, while prophage analysis revealed distinct insertions among 5 <em>V. parahaemolyticus</em> genomes in the CC 917. The findings of this study highlight the emergence of AHPND-causing CCs in Korea and the genetic recombination in <em>recA</em> gene, advancing our understanding of the epidemiology, virulence mechanisms, and resistance patterns of this pathogen. This knowledge contributes to improved strategies for controlling AHPND outbreaks and mitigating impacts on shrimp aquaculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 108423"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144858400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The first report of Hematodinium perezi genotype I infection of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) from the River Thames, UK","authors":"Rose C. Kerr ,&nbsp;Hamish J. Small ,&nbsp;David Bass ,&nbsp;Wafa S. Al Arimi ,&nbsp;Stuart Ross ,&nbsp;Roland Pevsner ,&nbsp;Bryony Williams ,&nbsp;Ronny van Aerle ,&nbsp;Grant Stentiford ,&nbsp;Kelly Bateman","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108427","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108427","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Hematodinium</em> is a genus of parasitic dinoflagellates which infects marine decapods, including several which are utilised in the global commercial crustacean fishery. Histological screening of the invasive Chinese mitten crab (<em>Eriocheir sinensis</em>) collected from the River Thames UK in 2018 revealed infection by a parasite with features of <em>Hematodinium</em> spp<em>.</em> Molecular analysis of gill tissues from infected crabs confirmed the presence of <em>Hematodinium</em> spp. and more specifically, <em>Hematodinium perezi</em> genotype I, which has previously been reported infecting crustacean species native to the UK (<em>Carcinus maenas</em> and <em>Liocarcinus depurator</em>), including from locations from the nearby English Channel. This is the first report of <em>Hematodinium perezi</em> infecting Chinese mitten crabs in either its native (Asian) or invasive host range. It is proposed that the Chinese mitten crab has acquired this parasite in UK waters subsequent to its introduction several decades ago. This finding is of particular interest for the future aquaculture of this species in its native range since it may indicate susceptibility to infection with <em>Hematodinium perezi</em> genotype II, a parasite prevalent in other crustacean species farmed in Asia. Parasites of the Hematodinium genus have been shown to cause high prevalence infection and disease in numerous farmed and fished crustacean species from around the world and this study marks a confirmed extension of that host range and the potential for Chinese mitten crabs to acquire novel infections within their invasive ranges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 108427"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144862287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}