Development of a multiplex PCR to detect Kudoa spp. and to distinguish Kudoa septempunctata in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus is one of the most important fish species for commercial aquaculture and fishery trading in Japan and Korea. Infections of microscopic myxozoan parasite of genus Kudoa (Myxozoa: Multivalvulida) has become a serious concern in flounder culture since the recent identification of Kudoa septempunctata as a causative agent of human food poisoning. Although various detection methods have been developed for the inspection of K. septempunctata, relatively little attentions are given to other Kudoa spp. We added K. ogawai and K. igami to the list of Kudoa spp. infecting olive flounder and developed multiplex PCR to simultaneously detect Kudoa spp. and distinguish K. septempunctata. This offers relatively simple and method to inspect Kudoa spp. in cultured flounder.