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Researchers are delving into the complexities of a mysterious parasite that poses a significant threat to fish farming globally.
Myxozoa parasites are wreaking havoc on fish populations by causing severe illnesses in economically important species such as salmon and trout. The financial implications for the fishing industry are considerable, with losses exceeding £50 million each year worldwide.
In the Amazon basin, renowned for its rich biodiversity, an international research team, spearheaded by experts from King’s College London and Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), has discovered that over half of the fish sampled are infected with parasites. This alarming situation jeopardizes not just the livelihoods of fish farmers but also threatens biodiversity and recreational fishing activities. In the western United States, some streams have recorded a staggering 90% decline in trout populations attributed to parasitic diseases.
To investigate these parasites further, a collaborative team from King’s College, UNIFESP, Federal University of Western Pará, University of Zagreb, University of Cambridge, and the Natural History Museum in London established a laboratory on a boat navigating the convergence of the Tapajós and Amazon Rivers, near Santarém in the State of Pará.
The research team aims to explore how these parasites manage genetic expression, which could be pivotal in uncovering their mechanisms and developing effective treatments.
Professor Paul Long, a specialist in marine biotechnology at King’s College London, remarked, “The Amazon, with its unparalleled biodiversity, remains largely unexplored, particularly concerning parasites that exist within their hosts. Understanding these parasites is essential for mapping out the intricacies of life on Earth and how these organisms interact with their hosts, influencing both biodiversity and the ecological frameworks of their environments.”
“We made an unexpected discovery regarding a novel gene regulation mechanism in these parasites, which was thought not to occur. Given that fish farming plays a vital role in global food security, insights into gene regulation may pave the way for developing gene-based vaccines aimed at these impactful fish pathogens.”
Professor Edson Adriano, an authority in parasitology at UNIFESP, articulated the significance of the Amazon for studying freshwater fish parasites due to its unparalleled variety. He stated, “Our findings related to epigenetic processes in myxozoans provide new perspectives on how varying environmental conditions encountered throughout the parasite’s lifecycle can influence genetic regulation. This understanding is increasingly crucial in light of predicted climate change scenarios.”
Dr. Santiago Benites de Pádua, a veterinarian and manager at Brazilian Fish Company, emphasized the importance of such studies in formulating strategies to mitigate the impact of parasites on the health and productivity of farmed fish.
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