Effects of Pseudoloma neurophilia infection on the brain transcriptome in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become an increasingly important animal model in biomedical research over the last few centuries. Unfortuntaley, the brain-infecting microsporidian parasite Pseudoloma neurophilia has been detected in approximately 70% of all zebrafish facilities examined through the Zebrafish International Resource Centre (ZIRC). Pseudoloma neurophilia can infects the zebrafish either horizontally or vertically, making it difficult to get rid of when first found in a population. The clinical disease caused by the parasite includes skeletal deformities, lethargy and emaciation, however most infections are subclinical. The impact caused on zebrafish by subclinical infections have not been very well studied, and such infections can possibly create unwanted bias results. By studying the behavior, neurochemistry, respirometry and genetics we will try to understand possible implications of P. neurophilia in zebrafish.