Collected reprints: Abstract 2968

Collected reprints

Abstract

Grisez, L.; Chair, M.; Sorgeloos, P.; Ollevier, F. (1996). Mode of infection and spread of Vibrio anguillarum in turbot Scophthalmus maximus larvae after oral challenge through life feed. Dis. Aquat. Org. 26: 181-187

The infection route of the marine fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum was studied after oral challenge of the juvenile turbot Scophthalmus maximus L. through a life feed. Artemia nauplii were incubated in a suspension of V. anguillarum cells, and subsequently fed twice to the fish. All challenged fish died within 4d after the first challenge, while no mortality occurred in the non-challenged controls. The results of an immunohistochemical examination of the sectioned fish samples clearly demonstrated that V. anguillarum cells were ingested by the Artemia and that the latter were ingested by the fish. Bacteria were released from the Artemia mainly in the anterior part of the intestine. Most challenged fish started to show disease signs 24h after the second challenge and died 2d later. A histopathological analysis of moribund fish showed the development of septicaemia. Moreover, the sequential sampling, allowed the reconstruction of the infection route after oral challenge. Our results show that V. anguillarum was transported through the intestinal epithelium by endocytosis, after which the bacterium was released in the lamina propria. From there the bacterium was transported by the blood to the different organs, eventually leading the septicaemia and mortality.

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