Sequences representing approximately 1,700 base pairs of the 18S rRNA gene from 10 different species in the genus Myxobolus were found to group them into 3 clusters that showed little correlation with spore morphology and size or host specificity, criteria currently used for both higher and lower taxonomic placements in the Myxozoa. Of the phenotypic criteria examined, tissue tropism was most correlated with the rRNA groupings observed. Spores of similar size and shape (Myxobolus cerebralis vs. Myxobolus squamalis) were distantly related in some instances, whereas spores with divergent morphology and size were sometimes found to be closely related (M. cerebralis and Myxobolus insidiosus). These initial investigations into the phylogenetic relationships of putative members of the genus Myxobolus clearly indicate the potential limitations of groupings based on size and morphological properties of the spores and host species infected. We propose that 18S rRNA gene sequences, combined with information on tissue tropism, host species infected, and developmental cycles in the fish and alternate host (when and if known) be given greater consideration in taxonomic placements of myxosporeans.

Circoviruses are present worldwide in birds and pigs but their occurrence in fish has not yet been reported. Recently, increased mortality was observed in barbel fry (Barbus barbus) in Hungary. This paper reports the detection of previously unknown circular viral DNA genomes in barbels by the use of a circovirus-specific wide-range nested PCR. The analysis of two complete genomes (Barbel circovirus, BaCV1 and BaCV2) indicated that they belonged into a new genetic group within the family Circoviridae, distinct from known circoviruses and circovirus-like genomes. Their genome size was 1957 bases and contained two major ORFs similar to the capsid and replication-associated protein genes of circoviruses. A connection between the presence of the virus and clinical manifestations of the infection could not be proved.

The genetic relatedness of two kidney-parasitic Sphaerospora species was studied. Although S. renicola, the causative agent of swimbladder inflammation of common carp fingerlings (Cyprinus carpio), and Sphaerospora sp. originating from goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) were indistinguishable on the basis of spore morphology, they were found to be genetically different as their 18S rDNA sequences shared only 71.9% identical nucleotides. In the phylogenetic trees, Sphaerospora sp. from goldfish grouped with Myxidium truttae (AJ582061) within the clade of the coelozoic freshwater species. Sphaerospora renicola clustered with S. molnari (AF378345) within the group of myxosporeans histozoic in gills. The topology of the six Sphaerospora species on the phylogenetic trees implied that myxospore morphology does not correlate with the genetic relationships, and the genus seems to be polyphyletic.

The swimbladder lesions produced by Anguillicola crassus (Nematoda) infection, causing mass mortality among eels in Lake Balaton (Hungary) were studied by histological methods. In the initial phase of infection, no severe changes developed in the swimbladder wall despite the presence and intensive blood-sucking activity of worms that filled the lumen of the swimbladder. After disruption of the worms and primarily because of repeated reinfection by larvae, however, the wall of the swimblaader markedly thickened and showed degenerative, inflammatory and proliferative changes. Acute processes were characterized by epithelial hyperplasia and hyperaemia of the swimbladder wall. In cases of chronic swimbladder inflammation, oedema and hyperplasia of tissues of the tunica propria, submucosa and serosa could be observed, as well as granulomatoid infiltration by mononuclear cells and fibrinoid degeneration around the larvae