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Challenging Host Specificity: Malacosporean Parasite Dynamics-Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae Beyond Salmonids-An
Céline Möckli1, Nicolas Diserens1, Gary Delalay1
1Institute for Fish and Wildlife Health, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Journal of Fish Diseases
|June 28, 2026
Summary
Minnows can be infected by the parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, the cause of Proliferative Kidney Disease in salmonids. This finding suggests minnows may help the parasite persist in warming rivers.
Area of Science:
- Aquatic Parasitology
- Fish Pathology
- Ecology
Background:
- Proliferative Kidney Disease (PKD) is a significant parasitic disease affecting salmonids.
- The disease is caused by Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, with severity linked to water temperature.
- Warmer conditions may facilitate parasite spread in new hosts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of non-salmonid fish to T. bryosalmonae.
- To determine if minnows can act as intermediate or reservoir hosts for the parasite.
- To assess the impact of infection on minnow health and parasite shedding.
Main Methods:
- Controlled laboratory exposure of minnows (Phoxinus phoxinus) to T. bryosalmonae malacospores.
- Confirmation of infection using Sanger and Nanopore deep amplicon sequencing.
- Detection of parasite spore excretion in urine via environmental DNA (eDNA).
Main Results:
- Minnows were successfully infected with T. bryosalmonae.
- Parasite infection and spore shedding were confirmed in minnows.
- No significant pathology or mortality was observed in infected minnows.
Conclusions:
- The host range of T. bryosalmonae is broader than previously known, including minnows.
- Minnows may play a role in the persistence of T. bryosalmonae in river ecosystems.
- Warming temperatures could increase the importance of minnows in parasite transmission cycles.
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