Immunohistochemical reactivity of polyclonal antibodies against Sphaerospora testicularis and Ceratomyxa labracis (Myxosporea : Bivalvulida), with other myxosporean parasites

Immunological staining with rabbit antibodies raised against Sphaerospora t esticularis and Ceratomyxa labracis was used to characterise their specific ity and their reactivity towards other fish parasites. Polar capsules and v alves of S. testicularis and C. labracis were labelled with their homologou s antibody and cross reaction was observed with all the myxosporean parasit es assayed from marine and freshwater fish hosts. All polar capsules were s tained with both antibodies, except those of Zschokkella mugilis, which wer e not labelled with anti-S. testicularis serum. These observations suggest that polar capsules may be very conserved structures in myxosporean parasit es from different hosts. (C) 1999 Australian Society for Parasitology. Publ ished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.