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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Non-invasive Imaging of the Innate Immune Response in a Zebrafish Larval Model of Streptococcus iniae Infection
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Meningitis Caused by Streptococcus agalactiae in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Infection and Inflammatory

Silas Fernandes Eto1, Dayanne Carla Fernandes2, Alessandra Cristina de Moraes3

  • 1Department of Postgraduate in Health Sciences-PROCISA, Federal University of Roraima (UFRR), Boa Vista 69310-000, Brazil.

Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|November 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study details the innate immune response in Nile tilapia infected with Streptococcus agalactiae (Sta), revealing key inflammatory markers and immune cell activity in the brain. Findings advance understanding of tilapia meningitis and its potential as a model for human meningitis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Aquatic Animal Health
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Streptococcus agalactiae (Sta) causes bacterial meningitis in Nile tilapia and human neonates.
  • Understanding host-pathogen interactions is crucial for developing effective therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the innate immune response in Nile tilapia brain tissue following Sta infection.
  • To elucidate neuroinflammatory mechanisms and host-pathogenic responses.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of brain tissue from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) infected with Sta.
  • Immunohistochemical detection of MHC class II and CD68+ cells.
  • Measurement of TNF-alpha and iNOs+ expression.

Main Results:

  • Neuroinflammation initiated with migration of MHC class II and CD68+ cells in the meninges.
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production was observed.
  • Increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs+) mediated the effective immune response against Sta.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides insights into the pathophysiology and neuroinflammation of Sta-induced meningitis in tilapia.
  • Findings contribute to advancing tilapia aquaculture health and offer a model for studying human meningitis.
Keywords:
microglianeuropathystreptococcosisteleost fish

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