A novel qPCR assay for the rapid detection and quantification of the lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) microsporidian parasite Nucleospora cyclopteri

 

Dr Tamsyn Uren Webster and co-authors have recently developed a novel qPCR assay to detect and quantify Nucleospora cyclopteri in lumpfish. This novel assay identified high prevalence of the infection among asymptomatic fish. All analyzed tissues were affected, including blood, suggesting systemic infection. Asymptomatic lumpfish had much lower parasite loads than those with macroscopic signs of infection.

The research paper is freely available here