Comparative studies of PKX and <em>Sphaerospora</em> spp. from salmonids using lectin and monoclonal antibody staining techniques.

The results of comparative immunohisto-chemical staining studies with two lectin probes, GS-I and SBA, and five monoclonal antibodies raised against the PKX myxosporean are presented. In order to investigate the postulated link between PKX and Sphaerospora spp., the lectins and monoclonal antibodies were tested against PKX, Sphaerospora renicola, Sphaerospora oncorhynchi, Sphaerospora elegans, Sphaerospora truttae and Sphaero-spora sp. from Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and Ceratomyxa shasta. SBA appears a useful tool for the diagnosis of all Sphaerospora spp. infections and was also positive for C. shasta. GS-I and monoclonal antibodies (12, C5, D4 and A3) appear to be specific for both the extrasporogonic and sporogonic stages of PKX. Although MabB4 was raised to PKX, it appears to stain some of the sporogonic stages of Sphaerospora spp. but not C. shasta. The results of the lectin and monoclonal staining of PKX and Sphaerospora oncorhynchi indicated that further work was required to prove or disprove the hypothesis that PKX and S. oncorhynchi are the same organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]