Kudoa sp. detection kits

Kudoa sp. is a myxosporean parasite. The majority of Kudoa species infect the somatic muscle of marine and estuarine fish establishing cysts, which contain many spores. While the parasite is within a muscle fibre, it is undetected by the host’s immunological system. Deterioration occurs rapidly after salmon are killed and there is no known cure. Kudoa contamination is usually first detected when salmon are slaughtered and processed. This parasite is responsible for causing economic losses to the fisheries sector, by causing post-mortem “myoliquefaction”, a softening of the flesh to such an extent that the fish becomes unmarketable.