Plasma proteomics reveals gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) impairment evoked by Sparicotyle chrysophrii

Sparicotylosis is an endemic parasitic disease across the Mediterranean Sea caused by the polyopisthocotylean monogenean Sparycotyle chrysophrii, which affects the gills of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Current disease-management, mitigation and treatment strategies are scarce against sparicotylosis. In order to successfully develop more efficient therapeutic strategies against this disease, understanding which molecular mechanisms and metabolic pathways are altered in the host is critical. This study aims to elucidate how S. chrysophrii infection modulates giltheadd seea bream physiological status and to identify the main altered biological processes through plasma proteomics of the host.