Euhaplorchis prefers two areas of killifish brains

Ryan Hechingernews

In a new collaborative paper, we present the distribution of the brain-infecting host-behavior-modifying Euhaplorchis californiensis (Euha) parasite along the antero-posterior axis of California killifish brains. We find that, although Euha metacercariae cover the whole brain, they are really dense in two areas. The density peaks provide clues to the route of parasite entry into the brain and the neurological mechanisms underlying the parasite’s manipulation of host behavior. This work was part of Siri Helland-Riise’s thesis, who spent many many months with us as part of our collaboration with Oyvind Overli and Kelly Weinersmith. link to paper