LIGHT AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS ON THE ROUTE OF THE TRIACTINOMYXON-SPOROPLASM OF MYXOBOLUS-CEREBRALIS FROM EPIDERMIS INTO RAINBOW-TROUT CARTILAGE

Penetration of triactinomyxon-sporoplasms of Myxobolus cerebralis through skin, fins, gills and buccal cavity have been demonstrated experimentally in rainbow trout. Furthermore the multiplication-stages of penetrated triactinomyxon-sporoplasms reach the cartilage via peripheral nerves and the central nervous system (CNS). This is in contrast to the assumption that the agent reaches the cartilage via blood, lymph, and/or coelomic fluid. During the first hour following penetration, the sporoplasm migrates between the epidermal cells. Then, it enters the epithelia and multiplies intracellularly. These stages migrate deeper into the subcutis, then through the peripheral nerves and CNS. After about 21 days the parasites reach the head cartilages. During their migration they also multiply to increase parasite numbers. The ultrastructure of the proliferative phase (presporogonic development) and the sporogonic phase of the life cycle are demonstrated and discussed.