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On predatory fungi feeding on free-living amoebae harbouring yeast-like endoparasites

Daniele Corsaro1, Karl-Dieter Müller2, Frank Mosel2

  • 1CHLAREAS, 12 Rue du Maconnais, 54500, Vandœuvre-Lès-Nancy, France. corsaro@gmx.fr.

Parasitology Research
|August 10, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Fungi were discovered infecting Vannella amoebae in an aquarium. This study identified Acaulopage sp. and Cladosporium sp. fungi, marking the first report of Cladosporium endoparasites in amoebae.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Protistology

Background:

  • Amoebae, particularly of the genus Vannella, can host various microorganisms.
  • Fungal infections in free-living amoebae are known but specific host-parasite relationships are continually being discovered.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize fungal pathogens infecting Vannella amoebae isolated from an ornamental fish aquarium.
  • To determine the taxonomic classification of the identified fungi using morphological and molecular methods.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and culturing of amoebae from aquarium water.
  • Induction of amoeba-trapping structures in vitro.
  • Morphological characterization of fungal isolates.
  • Biomolecular analysis using ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing.

Main Results:

  • Filamentous fungi with amoeba-trapping capabilities were observed and identified as Acaulopage sp. (Zoopagomycota).
  • Yeast-like endoparasites within amoeba cytoplasm were identified as Cladosporium sp. (Ascomycota).
  • Culturing of the endoparasitic Cladosporium sp. proved unsuccessful.

Conclusions:

  • This study reports the first instance of Cladosporium infection in Vannella amoebae.
  • The findings highlight the diverse fungal communities associated with aquatic protists.
  • The identified fungi represent distinct parasitic interactions with Vannella amoebae.
Keywords:
AcaulopageAmoebophagous fungiCladosporiumFree-living amoebae

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