영문초록
The edible ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi is a commercially important fisheries resource in Korea. However, there have been outbreaks of mass mortality due to soft tunic syndrome. It was discovered recently that the cause of death is infection by a protozoan parasite Azumiobodo hoyamushi. Alamar blue assay and microscopic counting were used to estimate anti-protozoal effects of 20 drugs having different action mechanisms. Through comparison of alamar blue assay and microscopic counting, 6 drugs were found to be potential in protozoan-killing effects: amphotericin B, formalin, hydrogen peroxide, bithionol, benzalkonium chloride, bronopol (24hr-EC50≤20 ㎍/㎖). The preliminary data can be used as a basis to develop anti-protozoal agents against A. hoyamushi.