In vitro reproduction of the life cycle of Pythium insidiosum from kunkers’ equine and their role in the epidemiology of pythiosis.
Abstract: Pythium insidiosum is an important pathogen of mammals' species, including humans. Equine is the main species affected by this oomycete. P. insidiosum requires an aquatic environment to develop its life cycle, and the susceptible hosts are contaminated when they contact the microorganism in swampy areas. The equine pythiosis is characterized by the formation of irregular masses within the cutaneous lesions, called kunkers, which easily detach from the lesion. From these structures, it is possible to isolate P. insidiosum in pure cultures. The present study aimed to reproduce in vitro the life cycle of P. insidiosum from kunkers of equine clinical lesions. Fifteen kunkers from different horses were tested. It was observed that the discharge of zoospores occurred after 24-48 h of incubation at 37 °C in, respectively, 40 and 47 % of the kunkers evaluated. Only two samples showed no development of the asexual cycle of P. insidiosum under the conditions tested. It was possible to demonstrate that kunkers are able to restart the asexual cycle of P. insidiosum. Based on our in vitro results, we highlight the importance of these structures in the epidemiology of the pythiosis, since kunkers can be a potential source of contamination of this oomycete for aquatic environments.
Publication Date: 2013-12-11 PubMed ID: 24326464DOI: 10.1007/s11046-013-9720-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Clinical Pathology
- Diagnosis
- Disease
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevention
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Treatment
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- In Vitro Research
- Infection
- Infectious Disease
- Laboratory Methods
- Pathogens
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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This research paper is about the successful reproduction in lab conditions of the life cycle of Pythium insidiosum, a pathogen often found in equine species, from irregular masses known as kunkers, usually found in skin lesions. The results highlight the role of these kunkers as potential infection sources in aquatic environments.
Research Objective
- The aim of this research was to effectively reproduce the life cycle of Pythium insidiosum, a pathogen affecting mostly equine species, in the lab using kunkers from clinical lesions in horses.
Understanding the Pathogen and Its Impact
- P. insidiosum requires an aquatic environment to develop its life cycle and can contaminate susceptible hosts that come into contact with them. Equine creatures are the primary victims of this pathogen.
- The condition in horses as a result of the pathogen is characterized by the formation of kunkers, irregular masses within skin lesions that can be easily detached. These kunkers can be used to isolate the pathogen in pure cultures.
Research Methodology and Findings
- In the experiment, 15 kunkers from different horses were used for testing.
- The researchers observed that zoospores release happened 24 to 48 hours after incubation at 37 degrees Celsius in 40% and 47% of the kunkers respectively. Two samples, however, did not undergo the asexual cycle of P. insidiosum under the given conditions.
- The outcome successfully demonstrated that kunkers can recommence the asexual cycle of P. insidiosum.
Implication of the Findings
- In light of these results, the researchers emphasized the significant role of kunkers in the spread of pythiosis, illustrating that kunkers can be a potential source of P. insidiosum contamination in aquatic environments.
Cite This Article
APA
Fonseca AO, Botton Sde A, Nogueira CE, Corrêa BF, Silveira Jde S, de Azevedo MI, Maroneze BP, Santurio JM, Pereira DI.
(2013).
In vitro reproduction of the life cycle of Pythium insidiosum from kunkers’ equine and their role in the epidemiology of pythiosis.
Mycopathologia, 177(1-2), 123-127.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-013-9720-6 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Campus Capão do Leão, s/no, Prédio 18, Sala 14, Pelotas, RS, 96010-900, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses / microbiology
- Pythiosis / epidemiology
- Pythiosis / microbiology
- Pythiosis / veterinary
- Pythium / isolation & purification
- Reproduction, Asexual
References
This article includes 12 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Yolanda H, Krajaejun T. History and Perspective of Immunotherapy for Pythiosis.. Vaccines (Basel) 2021 Sep 26;9(10).
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