Strong effect of long-term Sparicotyle chrysophrii infection on the cellular and innate immune responses of gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata

- “Health status” of the fish more correlated to hemoglobin than to parasite load.
- Higher spontaneous and zymosan-triggered respiratory burst in parasitized fish.
- Lower antibacterial and anti-parasite activity in parasitized fish.
- Antibody and inflammatory response not significantly affected by parasite presence.
- Antibody and inflammatory response correlated to intensity of parasite infection.