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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Aquatic Animal Health Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #249526
Title: Characterization of susceptibility and carrier status of burbot, Lota lota (L.), to IHNV, IPNV, Flavobacterium psychrophilum, Aeromonas salmonicida, and Renibacterium salmoninarum

Author
item POLINSKI, MARK - University Of Idaho
item FEHRINGER, TYSON - University Of Idaho
item JOHNSON, KEITH - Idaho Department Of Fish & Game
item SNEKVIK, KEVIN - Washington State University
item LAPATRA, SCOTT - Clear Springs Foods, Inc
item Lafrentz, Benjamin
item IRELAND, SUSAN - Kootenai Tribe Of Idaho
item CAIN, KENNETH - University Of Idaho

Submitted to: Journal of Fish Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/18/2010
Publication Date: 6/1/2010
Citation: Polinski, M.P., Fehringer, T.R., Johnson, K.A., Snekvik, K.R., Lapatra, S.E., Lafrentz, B.R., Ireland, S.C., Cain, K.D. 2010. Characterization of susceptibility and carrier status of burbot, Lota lota (L.), to IHNV, IPNV, Flavobacterium psychrophilum, Aeromonas salmonicida, and Renibacterium salmoninarum. Journal of Fish Diseases. 33: 559-570.

Interpretive Summary: Research efforts have been initiated to develop hatchery protocols for the artificial culture of burbot (Lota lota) as part of a conservation aquaculture program for the recovery of this species which has experienced declines in the Kootenai River located in Northern Idaho. As these protocols are further developed, information concerning the susceptibility of this species to different fish pathogens will be important for anticipating disease concerns related to intensive culture and hatchery management. Therefore in this study, susceptibility and potential carrier status of burbot were assessed for five important fish pathogens. Burbot demonstrated susceptibility and elevated mortality following challenge with infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) by immersion and to Aeromonas salmonicida by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. In contrast, burbot appeared refractory to Flavobacterium psychrophilum following intramuscular (i.m.) injection and to infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) by immersion. Renibacterium salmoninarum appeared to induce an asymptomatic carrier state in burbot following i.p. injection, but overt manifestation of disease was not apparent. This study is the first to investigate susceptibility of burbot to select fish pathogens and this information will aid in efforts to culture and manage this species.

Technical Abstract: In this study, susceptibility and potential carrier status of burbot, Lota lota, were assessed for five important fish pathogens. Burbot demonstrated susceptibility and elevated mortality following challenge with infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) by immersion and to Aeromonas salmonicida by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. IHNV persisted in fish for at least 28 d, whereas Aeromonas salmonicida was not re-isolated beyond 17 d post challenge. In contrast, burbot appeared refractory to Flavobacterium psychrophilum following intramuscular (i.m.) injection and to infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) by immersion. However, IPNV was re-isolated from fish following i.p. injection for the duration of the 28 d challenge. Renibacterium salmoninarum appeared to induce an asymptomatic carrier state in burbot following i.p. injection, but overt manifestation of disease was not apparent. Viable bacteria persisted in fish for at least 41 d, and bacterial DNA isolated by diagnostic polymerase chain reaction was detected from burbot kidney tissue 90 d after initial exposure. This study is the first to investigate susceptibility of burbot to select fish pathogens and this information will aid in efforts to culture and manage this species.