Myxosoma cerebralis: in vitro sporulation of the myxosporidan of salmonid whirling disease.

Trophozoites and other pre-spore stages of the myxosporidan Myxosoma cerebralis were taken from infected rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and cultured in vitro. Cultures eventually yielded mature spores capable of discharging their polar capsules. This is the first report of culture of a myxosporidan.