An eDNA-qPCR assay to detect the presence of the parasite Schistocephalus solidus inside its threespine stickleback host

作者：Berger Chloe Suzanne; Aubin Horth Nadia^*

来源：Journal of Experimental Biology, 2018, 221(9): UNSP jeb178137.

DOI：10.1242/jeb.178137

• Cestode
• Gasterosteus aculeatus
• Parasitic load
• Detection
• Quantitative real-time PCR
• Environmental DNA

Detecting the presence of a parasite within its host is crucial to the study of host-parasite interactions. The Schistocephalus solidus-threespine stickleback pair has been studied extensively to investigate host phenotypic alterations associated with a parasite with a complex life cycle. This cestode is localized inside the stickleback's abdominal cavity and can be visually detected only once it passes a mass threshold. We present a non-lethal quantitative PCR (qPCR) approach based on detection of environmental DNA from the worm (eDNA), sampled in the fish abdominal cavity. Using this approach on two fish populations (n=151), 98% of fish were correctly assigned to their S. solidus infection status. There was a significant correlation between eDNA concentration and total parasitic mass. We also assessed ventilation rate as a complementary mean to detect infection. Our eDNA detection method gives a reliable presence/absence response and its future use for quantitative assessment of infection is promising.

• 出版日期2018-5