SHARPSNOUT SEA BREAM (DIPLODUS PUNTAZZO) HUMORAL IMMUNE RESPONSE AGAINST THE PARASITE ENTEROMYXUM LEEI (MYXOZOA)

The humoral innate immune response of sharpsnout seabream Diplodus puntazzo against the myxozoan Enteromyxum leei was studied. Enteromyxosis was transmitted by cohabitation and a group of uninfected fish served as control. At 5, 12, 19, 26, 40 and 55 days post-exposure (p. e.), control and recipient fish were sampled to determine the prevalence of infection and some humoral innate immune parameters (antiprotease, antitumoral and peroxidase activities). Prevalence of infection was high from day 12 p.e. and reached 100% at days 40 and 55, when intensity of infection was medium to severe. The antiprotease activity was significantly increased in E. leei-exposed fish respect to control fish at days 12 and 19 p.e. The serum antitumoral activity was slightly lower in recipient than in control fish at all sampling times, except at 40 days p.e., though no statistically significant differences were observed. Serum peroxidases were as higher in all recipient fish than in control ones, with the highest stimulation index at 40 days p.e. Within recipient fish, no differences were detected between sampling times in any of the measured activities. The possible implication of these immune factors in the high susceptibility of D. puntazzo to this enteromyxosis is discussed.