Martin Irene, Elsheshtawy Ahmed, Clokie Benjamin Gregory James, MacKenzie Simon, Bateman Kelly Simone, Bass David, Stentiford Grant D, Albalat Amaya
Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
Faculty of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El Sheikh City, 33516, Egypt.
Anim Microbiome. 2025 Jun 13;7(1):62. doi: 10.1186/s42523-025-00416-w.
The parasite Hematodinium sp. causes morbidity and seasonal mortality events in more than 40 decapod species globally and therefore, it is now recognised as a significant threat to the future sustainability of shellfish fisheries and aquaculture worldwide. Among these, Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), an important representative of the marine benthos and supporting the most valuable shellfish fishery in the UK, experience yearly seasonal Hematodinium sp. patent infections. Currently, little is known about the N. norvegicus microbiome and potential role during Hematodinium sp.
Therefore, in this study we investigated the microbiome dynamics of N. norvegicus associated with Hematodinium sp. infection and disease progression in the haemolymph and gut. N. norvegicus were sampled from the Clyde Sea Area, Scotland during the peak of the Hematodinium sp. patent infection. The presence and intensity of Hematodinium sp. infection were determined using the body colour method (BCM), pleopod method (PM), histology (heart, gonads, hepatopancreas, gills and muscle) and molecular tools (PCR).
Marked shifts in the bacterial richness of the haemolymph and significant alterations in the overall bacterial community composition of both tissues were observed in infected lobsters. These changes, observed even at subpatent levels of infection (only positive by PCR), indicate a prompt and persistent microbiome shift associated with Hematodinium sp.
Furthermore, smaller healthy animals (25.2 ± 1.20 mm CL) known to be particularly susceptible to high severity infection displayed a decreased microbiome richness in the haemolymph suggesting a potential link between the host microbiome and susceptibility to disease progression, a possibility that merits further research.
This study offers the first insights into the pathobiome of N. norvegicus due to Hematodinium sp. infection and disease that in turn provides a foundation for further studies on the pathogenesis of this important parasitic disease.
血卵涡鞭虫属寄生虫在全球40多种十足目物种中引发发病和季节性死亡事件，因此，它现在被认为是对全球贝类渔业和水产养殖未来可持续性的重大威胁。其中，挪威龙虾（Nephrops norvegicus）是海洋底栖生物的重要代表，支撑着英国最具价值的贝类渔业，每年都会经历血卵涡鞭虫属的季节性显性感染。目前，对于挪威龙虾的微生物群及其在血卵涡鞭虫属感染过程中的潜在作用知之甚少。
因此，在本研究中，我们调查了与血卵涡鞭虫属感染以及血淋巴和肠道疾病进展相关的挪威龙虾微生物群动态。在血卵涡鞭虫属显性感染高峰期，从苏格兰克莱德海域采集挪威龙虾样本。使用体色法（BCM）、腹足法（PM）、组织学（心脏、性腺、肝胰腺、鳃和肌肉）以及分子工具（PCR）确定血卵涡鞭虫属感染的存在和强度。
在受感染的龙虾中，观察到血淋巴中细菌丰富度有显著变化，且两个组织的整体细菌群落组成也有明显改变。这些变化甚至在亚显性感染水平（仅PCR呈阳性）时就已观察到，表明与血卵涡鞭虫属感染相关的微生物群迅速且持续发生变化。
此外，已知特别易受严重感染的较小健康个体（头胸甲长度为25.2 ± 1.20毫米）血淋巴中的微生物群丰富度降低，这表明宿主微生物群与疾病进展易感性之间可能存在联系，这一可能性值得进一步研究。
本研究首次深入了解了血卵涡鞭虫属感染和疾病导致的挪威龙虾病理生物群，进而为进一步研究这种重要寄生虫病的发病机制奠定了基础。
