Cryptobia


Cryptobia is a genus of kinetoplastids. Several species are known for being fish pathogens. They can be found in other animals, as well. The name Trypanoplasma is occasionally used for some of these.

Biology

There are 52 species of Cryptobia known from fish. 40 of these live in the blood, 7 in the gut, and 5 on the body surface.
Examples include:
Some Cryptobia parasitize other animal taxa. Examples include:
In fish, the disease is most important in salmonids. Marine and freshwater fish can be infected. These protozoans can be found on most continents.
Bloodfeeding leeches are implicated in the transmission of the bloodborne species.
The protozoans can be identified in skin and gill biopsies and blood samples. For some of the protozoans, antibodies can be detected in the fish using ELISA and fluorescent antibody testing.
Chemical treatment with isometamidium chloride has been effective. There is a vaccine against C. salmositica which lasts up to 2 years.

Taxonomy

Species include: