Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Benjamin R. LaFrentz, Stanislava Kralova, Claire R. Burbick, Trevor L. Alexander, Conner W. Phillips, Matt J. Griffin, Geoffrey C. Waldbieser, Julio C. Garcia, Fernanda de Alexandre Sebastiao, Esteban Soto, Thomas P. Loch, Mark R. Liles, Kevin R. Snekvik
Summary: This study determined the taxonomic status of four genetic groups of Flavobacterium columnare using polyphasic and phylogenomic approaches. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the four genetic groups formed well supported and distinct clades within the genus Flavobacterium. Biochemical and physiological characteristics were similar among the groups, but quantitative differences in fatty acid profiles were detected and MALDI-TOF analyses showed unique peaks for each group. Therefore, the names F. covae sp. nov., F. davisii sp. nov., and F. oreochromis sp. nov. are proposed for genetic groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
SYSTEMATIC AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Bingchao Wang, Fangzheng Zhu, Zechao Shi, Zhenyu Huang, Ruhan Sun, Qingchao Wang, Ouyang Gang, Wei Ji
Summary: In this study, the mhc IIA and mhc IIB genes of yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco were cloned and characterized. Similar gene structure and expression patterns were observed for both mhc IIA and mhc IIB, and they play an important role in the anti-infection process.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Rachel A. Conrad, Jason P. Evenhuis, Ryan S. Lipscomb, David Perez-Pascual, Rebecca J. Stevick, Clayton Birkett, Jean-Marc Ghigo, Mark J. McBride
Summary: Flavobacterium columnare, a costly pathogen in the freshwater fish-farming industry, produces siderophores for iron uptake. This study identifies genes involved in iron uptake and reveals their importance for growth under iron-limited conditions. Mutants with deletions in these genes showed decreased virulence but still caused infection. Survivors of exposure to these mutants were partially protected against later infection by the wild-type pathogen.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Nicole C. Thunes, Haitham H. Mohammed, Jason P. Evenhuis, Ryan S. Lipscomb, David Perez-Pascual, Rebecca J. Stevick, Clayton Birkett, Rachel A. Conrad, Jean-Marc Ghigo, Mark J. McBride
Summary: Flavobacterium columnare is a pathogen that causes columnaris disease in freshwater fish, both in natural water bodies and aquaculture settings. This disease is often fatal, especially in high fish population density, and current control options, such as vaccines, are limited. The type IX secretion system (T9SS) is crucial for the virulence of F. columnare, but the specific virulence factors that are secreted through this system are not fully known. This study found that peptidases, which are commonly known virulence factors in other pathogens, may also play a role in F. columnare virulence.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Geoffrey C. Waldbieser, Shikai Liu, Zihao Yuan, Caitlin E. Older, Dongya Gao, Chenyu Shi, Brian G. Bosworth, Ning Li, Lisui Bao, Mona A. Kirby, Yulin Jin, Monica L. Wood, Brian Scheffler, Sheron Simpson, Ramey C. Youngblood, Mary V. Duke, Linda Ballard, Adam Phillippy, Sergey Koren, Zhanjiang Liu
Summary: This study generated high-quality chromosome level reference genome sequences for channel catfish and blue catfish in the US, and identified three major pericentric inversions on their chromosomes. These reference genome sequences, along with the contrasting chromosomal architecture, can provide guidance for interspecific breeding programs.
Article
Microbiology
Rui Han, Yuhao Hong, Ruilong Xu, Wenjie Guo, Mingshu Zhang, Zijun Lu, Qing Han, Zequan Mo, Xueming Dan, Yanwei Li
Summary: This study characterized the pathogen Flavobacterium columnare, the causative agent of columnaris disease in freshwater fish, using whole-genome sequencing. The genomes of two isolates showed evidence of gene variation and horizontal transfer, which are important for genetic diversity, genome plasticity, and functional evolution. Genetic analysis clustered F. columnare isolates into distinct clades, supporting a proposed new taxonomic perspective. The findings provided genomic evidence for gene variation and horizontal transfer, and supported a new classification view on F. columnare.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Wenjie Guo, Rui Han, Weizhen Xu, Zijun Lu, Yanwei Li, Xueming Dan, Zequan Mo
Summary: This study investigated the immune protective effects of an inactivated F. columnare vaccine. The results showed that when white oil adjuvant was used as a booster, the relative percent survival (RPS) after 8 weeks of vaccination was 34% and 61%, respectively. Furthermore, the inactivated vaccine comprising an appropriate antigen isolate with white oil adjuvant as a booster can provide effective protection in grass carp.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Putita Chokmangmeepisarn, Patcharapong Thangsunan, Pattanapon Kayansamruaj, Channarong Rodkhum
Summary: The study provided a thorough understanding of quinolone resistance mechanisms in F. columnare, offering guidance for selecting antibiotics for the treatment of columnaris disease.
Article
Fisheries
Wei-Dan Jiang, Shuang-An Li, Hai-Feng Mi, Lu Zhang, Lin Feng, Pei Wu, Yang Liu, Jun Jiang, Sheng-Yao Kuang, Ling Tang, Cheng-Bo Zhong, Xiao-Qiu Zhou
Summary: The study showed that optimal intake of myo-inositol decreased oxidative stress, inhibited cell apoptosis, promoted cell proliferation, and maintained intercellular structural integrity in the gills of grass carp, possibly through various signaling pathways. The calculated optimal myo-inositol intake for grass carp was 285.8 and 305.4 mg/kg diet, respectively.
Article
Fisheries
Nantawut Ponpukdee, Pradit Wangman, Channarong Rodkhum, Chalinan Pengsuk, Parin Chaivisuthangkura, Paisarn Sithigorngul, Siwaporn Longyant
Summary: Monoclonal antibodies generated from outer membrane proteins of pathogenic Flavobacterium columnare can be used as a simple, fast, specific, and low-cost immunological tool for the direct detection of F. columnare without the need for bacterial isolation as in conventional biochemical tests or DNA extraction as in PCR assays. By combining specific MAbs, the detection limit in dot blotting assay can be increased to 5 x 10(2) cfu/dot.
Article
Immunology
Yuan Yuan Yang, Si Yao Zheng, Hong Fang, Xiao Man Wu, Jie Zhang, Ming Xian Chang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different variants of histone H2A in grass carp on Flavobacterium columnare infection. It was found that some variants had antibacterial activity against F. columnare and could enhance the innate immune responses in grass carp. Grass carp immunized with these variants showed lower mortality and fewer numbers of F. columnare. These findings suggest that histone H2A variants play an important role in enhancing disease resistance in fish.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Zijun Lu, Ren Gao, Yafei Duan, Rui Han, Wenjie Guo, Xueming Dan, Yanwei Li
Summary: This study isolated 45 bacterial strains of F. columnare from grass carp in various provinces of China, identifying three genotypes with genomovar I being the dominant type. Analysis revealed genetic differences among the three genomovars, with a closer relationship between genomovar I and II. The study provides insight into the genetic diversity of F. columnare in Chinese grass carp.
Article
Fisheries
Clemence Fraslin, Heikki Koskinen, Antti Nousianen, Ross D. Houston, Antti Kause
Summary: This study demonstrates that selective breeding for improved resistance to columnaris disease in rainbow trout is feasible. A natural outbreak of the disease in a farm environment can be utilized to select fish with greater resistance, and genomic selection is an effective approach to expedite this process.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Heidi M. T. Kunttu, Anniina Runtuvuori-Salmela, Mathias Middelboe, Jason Clark, Lotta-Riina Sundberg
Summary: Bacteriophages can effectively prevent and treat bacterial infections in aquaculture settings, with bath treatments being the most efficient method for preventing infections. The presence of phage-coated plastic sheets in a flow-through system delayed the onset of disease, while oral administration of phages initially increased disease progression but led to lower total mortality. Successful phage therapy treatment in aquaculture requires optimization of in vivo phage delivery methods.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Hui Wang, Xi Chen, Sisi Li, Chengchong Zhou, Lili Xu, Zhixin Wu, Xiaoxuan Chen
Summary: Langerhans cells (LCs) in grass carp were identified for the first time using immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy, and a CD207 gene similar to human and mouse counterparts was discovered. The CD207 gene was found to be highly expressed in immune organs and played a significant role in the immune response to bacterial infections.
Article
Fisheries
Zoemma T. Warshafsky, Stephen A. Bullard, Wolfgang K. Vogelbein, Emily A. Chandler, Molly E. Lutcavage
JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Alison K. Aceves, Paul D. Johnson, Carla L. Atkinson, Brian C. van Ee, Stephen A. Bullard, Cova R. Arias
JOURNAL OF MOLLUSCAN STUDIES
(2020)
Article
Fisheries
Steven P. Ksepka, Jacob M. Rash, Wenlong Cai, Stephen A. Bullard
Summary: This study identified Myxobolus cerebralis in an oligochaete for the first time in the southeastern USA, and also for the first time in an oligochaete other than T. tubifex. These findings suggest that other definitive hosts besides T. tubifex may harbor the pathogen, highlighting the importance of considering alternative hosts for biosecurity in fish hatcheries and monitoring for M. cerebralis and whirling disease in wild trout streams in the southeastern USA.
DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Steven P. Ksepka, Stephen A. Bullard
Summary: The causative agents of red sore disease are a species of Epistylis and Aeromonas hydrophila, identified through morphological features and genetic sequences. The ciliate was classified as Epistylis cf wuhanensis, while the bacterium was identified as Aeromonas hydrophila. Lesions in affected fish showed various tissue damage, with this being the first nucleotide sequence information for the symbionts associated with RSD.
JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Haley R. Dutton, Louis H. Du Preez, Olivier Verneau, Nathan Whelan, Stephen A. Bullard
Summary: This study describes multiple newly-collected specimens of Neopolystoma cf. orbiculare from the Comet Lake in Pascagoula River, Mississippi found in two alligator snapping turtles. The specimens showed unique characteristics and indicated polyphyletic nature of Neopolystoma genus, sharing a recent common ancestor with N. orbiculare. Additionally, this marks the first record of a polystomatid from Mississippi, from the Pascagoula River, and from the alligator snapping turtle.
JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Micah B. Warren, Micah D. Bakenhaster, Haley R. Dutton, Steven P. Ksepka, Stephen A. Bullard
Summary: Cardicola Short, 1953 is the most speciose aporocotylid genus, which includes marine and estuarine species of fish blood flukes that infect higher ray-finned fishes. While several clades within Cardicola have been recovered in phylogenetic analyses, morphological synapomorphies for those nucleotide-based clades remain elusive.
JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Stephen S. Curran, Haley R. Dutton, Micah B. Warren, Louis du Preez, Stephen A. Bullard
Summary: Two new species of Cephalogonimidae were described from African freshwater fishes, showing distinct differences from their congeners. Additional species that require further classification were also identified in this study.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Roman Svitin, Stephen Bullard, Haley Dutton, Edward Netherlands, Yaroslav Syrota, Olivier Verneau, Louis du Preez
Summary: Pseudocapillaria (Ichthyocapillaria) bumpi n. sp. is the 20th species of the genus, the first from the Afrotropical Realm, and the first from any lungfish species. Phylogenetic analyses suggest its close relationships with species of the genera Pearsonema, Aonchotheca and Baruscapillaria.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Micah B. Warren, Stephen A. Bullard
Summary: Specimens representing two new species of blood flukes, each representing a new genus, were collected from banded eagle rays in Borneo, Indonesia. These new species share similarities with other blood flukes infecting different shark species, but also have distinct characteristics that set them apart.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Wenlong Cai, Surendra Kumar, Umasuthan Navaneethaiyer, Albert Caballero-Solares, Laura A. Carvalho, Shona K. Whyte, Sara L. Purcell, Nellie Gagne, Tiago S. Hori, Melissa Allen, Richard G. Taylor, Rachel Balder, Christopher C. Parrish, Matthew L. Rise, Mark D. Fast
Summary: This study investigated the impact of four experimental functional feeds on Atlantic salmon during a single infection with sea lice and a co-infection with sea lice and infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAv). Transcriptomic analysis revealed different gene expression responses in the skin tissues of fish with different experimental diets. The co-infection group showed lower survival rates and up-regulated genes associated with glycolysis and immune response pathways. Understanding the effects of experimental functional feeds on the host response and co-infection trajectory is crucial for developing effective intervention strategies in open cage culture.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Wenlong Cai, Covadonga R. Arias
Summary: A modified-live vaccine against columnaris disease in catfish aquaculture was developed by selecting mutants resistant to rifampin. Comparative genomic analysis revealed 16 unique single nucleotide polymorphisms in the attenuated mutant strain, affecting RNA polymerase activity and potentially disrupting protein secretion systems.
Article
Virology
Yuqi Jin, Sven M. Bergmann, Qianyi Mai, Ying Yang, Weiqiang Liu, Dongli Sun, Yanfeng Chen, Yingying Yu, Yuhong Liu, Wenlong Cai, Hanxu Dong, Hua Li, Hui Yu, Yali Wu, Mingjian Lai, Weiwei Zeng
Summary: In this study, we identified and confirmed the presence of iridovirus and rhabdovirus members as the likely pathogens in diseased largemouth bass. Co-infection with these viruses was observed, leading to higher mortality rates compared to single infections. The viruses were found to be most similar to largemouth bass virus and hybrid snakehead rhabdovirus. Our findings provide novel ideas for the prevention and treatment of combined virus infection, particularly in largemouth bass.
Article
Parasitology
Steven P. Ksepka, Brian H. Hickson, Nathan Whelan, Stephen A. Bullard
FOLIA PARASITOLOGICA
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Steven P. Ksepka, Nathan Whelan, Christopher M. Whipps, Stephen A. Bullard
JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY
(2020)