Proliferative Kidney Disease (PKD) is caused by a parasite named Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae. The complex cycle of this parasite includes an invertebrate main host – the bryozoa – and a vertebrate intermediate host – a fish species from the family of salmonids.
Recent findings indicate the possibility that fish from other families could act as possible intermediate hosts.
Those findings – if verified – could have a massive impact on the epidemiology and future monitoring of the disease.
During this project, native Swiss fish species (minnow, bullhead, common barbel, stone loach and chub) will be examined in two different PKD-positive waterbodies. Those fish will be examined macroscopically, histologically and by qPCR tests for infection with T. bryosalmonae. Their role in the parasite cycle will be determined by further experiments.
Contact: Moritz Stelzer; PD, Dr. med. vet. Heike Schmidt-Posthaus
