Proliferative Kidney Disease (PKD) is an important disease in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) and is discussed as one of the causes of the decline of brown trout populations. The pathogenic agent of the disease is a myxozoan endoparasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, which has a complex cycle with an invertebrate main host - bryozoan - and a vertebrate intermediate host - fish, as far as known from the salmonid family (salmonids). Based on recent qPCR studies, the aim of the project presented is to systematically investigate the parasite cycle of T. bryosalmonae and possible intermediate host status of minnows (Phoxinus phoxinus), that co-occur with brown trout in PKD-positive waters.
The research question will be investigated by an infection experiment under controlled laboratory conditions. The success of the transmission of infection from infected bryozoans to minnows will be verified by histology, qPCR, sequencing, eDNA and a subsequent infection of naive bryozoa by co-habitation.
The results of this study could have major epidemiological significance and far-reaching consequences for the surveillance of the notifiable disease in Switzerland.
Contact: Céline Möckli, Nicolas Diserens, Heike Schmidt-Posthaus
