Ultrastructural Insights Into a Candidatus Parilichlamydia sp. Infection of Gill Goblet Cells in Greater Amberjack

Despite recent genomic studies and increased molecular data, epitheliocystis remains an enigmatic fish disease with no experimental in vitro or in vivo models to aid the advancement of research. In this study, we revert to a classical microscopical approach and screen with the electron microscope the epitheliocystis lesions caused by a Ca. Parilichlamydia sp., infecting mucus cells in Greater amberjack. We report distinct morphological features of this bacterial family, characterised by Intermediate Bodies that closely resemble those of previously described Candidatus similchlamydia, and Elementary Bodies that exhibit morphological similarities to Chlamydia trachomatis. We describe the characteristics of a novel Chlamydial Inclusion Membrane (IM) type, with abundant interdigitations, possibly shaped by fusion of the IM with cytoplasmic vesicles, and moreover discuss the presence of multivesicular bodies in the infected cell. Our observation of immune cells in the infected areas indicates an interaction of macrophages with infected cells, a role for granular cells as pathogens reservoirs and an active phagoptosis process in the nearby areas, overall shedding light on cellular immune processes characterising these infections in fish hosts.