Transmission of a common intestinal neoplasm in zebrafish by cohabitation

摘要: Intestinal neoplasms are common in zebrafish (Danio rerio) research facilities. These tumours most often seen older fish and classified as small cell carcinomas or adenocarcinomas. Affected populations always contain subpopulations with preneoplastic lesions, characterized by epithelial hyperplasia inflammation. Previous observations indicated that these unlikely caused diet, water quality genetic background, suggesting an infectious aetiology. We performed five transmission experiments exposure of naive to affected donor cohabitation tank effluent water. lesions were observed recipient all groups, including transmissions from previous fish, moribund exhibited a higher prevalence neoplasms. found single 16S rRNA sequence, similar Mycoplasma penetrans, be highly enriched the donors exposed recipients compared unexposed control fish. further tracked presence sp. using targeted PCR test on individual dissected intestines faeces faeces. Original positive for Mycoplasma, while corresponding negative. This study indicates aetiology transmissible suggests possible candidate agent species.