Definition:
Ceratomyxa Shasta is a parasite that infects fish on the pacific coast. This infects fresh water worms that release actinospores that infects the fish. The worm serves as a host for the parasite. The infection can transfer from fish to fish or fish to egg with contact.
Diagnosis:
The infection can be microscopically detected through visual detection of intestinal scraping parasites. Polymerase chain reaction can detect parasite. Examining histological sections with the use of fluorescein and monoclonal antibodies.
Treatment:
A combination of chlorination, ultraviolet irradiation and sand filtration is a treatment to the incoming hatchery. Salinity and cols temperature can decrease the decease progress but not eliminated.
Symptoms and Signs:
Infection from the parasite includes body mass loss, lethargy and kidney pustules. It also affects the entire digestive system internally from gall bladder, spleen, kidney, muscles and gills. Adult salmons suffer from intestinal bacterial infection.
Causes:
Algae and sand-organic matters were the primary habitat of the Ceratomyxa Shasta. The volume of the polychaete worms mainly contribute to the distribution of the parasite. Infection is higher below of in still water environment.
