Marandi Amin, Jensen Anne Majgaard, von Gersdorff Jørgensen Louise
Department of Aquatic Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Experimental Fish Models (Exfimo), Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, DK1870, Denmark.
Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis. 2025 May 6;7:100265. doi: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100265. eCollection 2025.
Helminth parasites, including capillariids, pose a significant health risk to animals, including fishes, birds, and mammals. is a widespread, but poorly studied parasite primarily infecting freshwater cyprinid fishes in the northern hemisphere. However, despite controlled laboratory procedures, the parasite is also prevalent in many zebrafish () research facilities due to inadequate measures to ensure biological security and the ability of the nematode to endure chlorine treatment. typically causes chronic disease in fish, leading to morbidity, mortality, and economic challenges. Clinical signs include emaciation, ulcers, anemia, and hemorrhage, as well as reduced growth and reproductive ability, and prominent humpback lesions in severe infections. Diagnosing infections involve observation of eggs in wet mount preparations or worms in histological sections of the intestine. However, definitive species identification requires detailed morphological examination and molecular analyses. can be effectively managed through anthelmintic treatments such as emamectin, fenbendazole, albendazole, and mebendazole as well as preventive measures including maintaining optimal water quality, reducing fish density, and implementing strict quarantine protocols. This review discusses the use of the zebrafish to study host-parasite interactions, particularly with the parasitic nematode . The zebrafish is a suitable model for studying infectious diseases, including parasites, due to its well-characterized immune system, reporter lines and cell lineages. This model organism exhibits immune responses to helminth antigens, including eosinophilia and the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines like Tnf-α and Ifn-γ. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in susceptibility to parasitic infections in zebrafish and an imbalanced or dysbiotic gut microbiome can predispose fish to parasitic infections, while a healthy, balanced microbiome can enhance resistance. Furthermore, probiotic-based interventions are being explored as a way to boost mucosal immunity and modify the gut microbiome to prevent parasitic infections.
蠕虫寄生虫，包括毛细线虫，对包括鱼类、鸟类和哺乳动物在内的动物构成重大健康风险。是一种广泛存在但研究较少的寄生虫，主要感染北半球的淡水鲤科鱼类。然而，尽管有可控的实验室程序，但由于确保生物安全的措施不足以及线虫耐受氯处理的能力，这种寄生虫在许多斑马鱼研究设施中也很普遍。通常会导致鱼类慢性疾病，引发发病、死亡和经济挑战。临床症状包括消瘦、溃疡、贫血和出血，以及生长和繁殖能力下降，严重感染时会出现明显的驼背病变。诊断感染需要在湿片制备中观察虫卵或在肠道组织切片中观察虫体。然而，明确的物种鉴定需要详细的形态学检查和分子分析。可以通过使用伊维菌素、芬苯达唑、阿苯达唑和甲苯达唑等驱虫治疗以及包括维持最佳水质、降低鱼密度和实施严格检疫规程在内的预防措施来有效控制。本综述讨论了利用斑马鱼研究宿主 - 寄生虫相互作用，特别是与寄生线虫的相互作用。由于其特征明确的免疫系统、报告基因系和细胞谱系，斑马鱼是研究包括寄生虫在内的传染病的合适模型。这种模式生物对蠕虫抗原表现出免疫反应，包括嗜酸性粒细胞增多以及炎症细胞因子如Tnf-α和Ifn-γ的上调。肠道微生物群在斑马鱼对寄生虫感染的易感性中起关键作用，肠道微生物群失衡或失调会使鱼类易患寄生虫感染，而健康、平衡的微生物群可以增强抵抗力。此外，基于益生菌的干预措施正在被探索作为增强黏膜免疫力和改变肠道微生物群以预防寄生虫感染的一种方法。
