凡纳滨对虾急性肝胰腺坏死病致病菌的分离鉴定、药敏特性及其组织病理学观察

为查明上海市奉贤区某对虾养殖场疑似患急性肝胰腺坏死病的凡纳滨对虾（Litopenaeus vannamei）的病原菌，本研究从患病凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺组织分离纯化到1株优势菌FHBX-1,并通过人工回归感染试验确定其致病性，利用VITEK-2全自动微生物鉴定仪和16S rRNA、热休克蛋白HSP60基因序列分析进行综合鉴定，并检测其毒力基因。同时采用K-B纸片扩散法检测病原菌的药物敏感性并通过石蜡切片观察患病凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺组织的病理特征。结果显示：菌株FHBX-1经生理生化特征测定、16S rRNA和热休克蛋白HSP60基因序列分析，综合鉴定为副溶血弧菌（Vibrio parahaemolyticus）,且携带了急性肝胰腺坏死病相关的毒力基因pirA^VP、pirB^VP,未携带副溶血弧菌临床主要毒力基因耐热直接溶血毒素tdh和相对耐热直接溶血毒素trh基因。人工回归感染试验结果显示，凡纳滨对虾在菌液浓度为1.0×10⁶ CFU/mL浸泡感染试验组，7 d内累计死亡率为80%,患病凡纳滨对虾具有肝胰腺颜色变白、萎缩变小，胃肠变...     

对虾源副溶血弧菌强毒株HNBX-1的分离鉴定与毒性分析

副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)是海水养殖中常见的条件致病菌,具有发生率高和流行面广等特点。本文从患红体病的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)体内分离得到一株细菌HNBX-1,经生化实验结合热休克蛋白60(Heat Shock Protein 60,HSP60)基因鉴定为副溶血弧菌。毒性实验表明,弧菌HNBX-1对凡纳滨对虾的毒性极强,感染24 h时的LD50为3.5×104cfu·mL-1;对其重要毒力基因———耐热溶血毒素基因(TDH)、耐热溶血毒素相关基因(TRH)和Ⅲ型分泌系统(T3SS1和T3SS2)的分析结果显示,HNBX-1中的TDH、TRH以及T3SS2基因检测结果均为阴性,而T3SS1的4个毒力基因中的VP1689(vscK)和VP1694(vscF)基因扩增为阳性,表明该副溶血弧菌菌株的强毒特性与其携带的T3SS1密切相关。     

凡纳滨对虾感染致急性肝胰腺坏死病副溶血弧菌(Vp_(AHPND))的定量分析

对虾急性肝胰腺坏死病(Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease,AHPND)是由致AHPND副溶血弧菌(AHPND-causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus,VpAHPND)携带的pVA1-like质粒所表达的PirA~(Vp)和PirB~(Vp)毒力蛋白对对虾肝胰腺的急性毒性所致。本研究用2.19×10~5 CFU/ml VpAHPND分离株20130629002S01对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)进行浸泡感染,于感染后2~9 d采集对虾的肝胰腺、鳃、肠道、肌肉组织,采用实时荧光定量PCR方法,检测各组织中的pir AVp拷贝数。结果显示,感染后凡纳滨对虾各组织均能检测到pirA~(Vp),其中,肝胰腺在感染后第4天达到峰值,为8.71×10~4 copies/mg,而鳃、肌肉、肠道分别在第3、4、5天达到峰值,分别为9.08×10~3、2.59×10~4、5.76×10~4 copies/mg。早期感染鳃组织中先出现Vp_(AHPND)的富集,在高死亡发生期,Vp_(AHPND)数量在肝胰腺和肠道出现高峰,在死亡数量逐渐下降的后期,各组织的Vp_(AHPND)均快速下降,肠道、肝胰腺和肌肉中的Vp_(AHPND)水平趋于接近。对虾肝胰腺组织病理切片显示,同一时间有临床症状的病虾和濒死对虾相比,濒死对虾表现出更严重的AHPND病理特征,且二者的组织病理特征均随着感染时间的延长变得更为严重,但检测到的Vp_(AHPND)数量呈下降趋势。研究表明,在Vp_(AHPND)感染过程中,组织中的pirA~(Vp)基因数量不能代表对虾的发病程度,发病程度及组织病理严重的AHPND样品中Vp_(AHPND)的数量不一定处于高水平状态。     

凡纳滨对虾中发光坎氏弧菌的分离、鉴定及致病性

为研究凡纳滨对虾死亡的致病机理,实验采用TCBS培养基从濒死凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺分离到浅绿色、直径3～7 mm的发荧光菌落;革兰氏染色为阴性短杆菌;经API20E鉴定,分离株PvL-1与坎氏弧菌参考菌株CAIM249相似度为90%;fitZ序列与坎氏弧菌CP020076相似度为99.31%;gapA序列与坎氏弧菌EF596552相似度为98.89%;采用坎氏弧菌种特异性引物对PvL-1进行PCR分析,可扩增出坎氏弧菌种特异性片段,不能扩增出轮虫弧菌和哈维氏弧菌特异性片段,上述结果表明PvL-1为坎氏弧菌成员。分离菌株在10%脱纤维羊血平板呈β溶血,脱脂奶粉平板出现明显透明圈,表明存在溶血性和胞外蛋白酶活性。分析了PvL-1的急性肝胰腺坏死病、溶血素基因、菌毛基因和其他毒力基因,表明PvL-1具有AP4、TLH、vcahHly、flaC、mukF、gloB、sodB和esrB等毒力基因。PvL-1可使健康凡纳滨对虾发病死亡,濒死凡纳滨对虾与自然发病虾呈现类似症状,对凡纳滨对虾半数致死浓度(LD50)2.94×104 CFU/尾;病理组织观察发现,人工感染发病凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺小管细胞脱落、崩解、血细胞浸润等,与自然发病凡纳滨对虾病理特征相同。研究表明,本次实验分离到可发光的坎氏弧菌PvL-1,对凡纳滨对虾有较强致病性,拓展了对凡纳滨对虾发光坎氏弧菌的认知。     

副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)中溶源噬菌体与其宿主菌致病力的相关性

急性肝胰腺坏死病(Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease,AHPND)是由副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)引起的对虾病害,本研究从患AHPND的凡纳滨对虾样品中分离得到5株副溶血弧菌,采用致AHPND的副溶血弧菌(VPAHPND)的相关质粒的引物AP2进行PCR检测,表明这5株菌中均存在AHPND相关质粒。利用丝裂霉素C进行溶源性噬菌体筛选和噬菌体诱导发现,其中2株副溶血弧菌(20130629002S01和20130726001S01)可能存在溶源性噬菌体感染;从经0.5μg/ml丝裂霉素C诱导的20130629002S01和20130726001S01中分别分离得到两种噬菌体phage1和phage2。透射电镜观测显示,phage1为有尾噬菌体,phage2为球形噬菌体。将上述5株副溶血弧菌进行卤虫无节幼体人工感染实验,结果显示,它们对卤虫无节幼体均有致病力,且各分离株的毒力表现出显著性差异;20130629002S01和20130726001S01两株带有溶源性噬菌体的副溶血弧菌的致病力显著低于无噬菌体的副溶血弧菌(20130721001S02)。本研究结果表明,5株VPAHPND分离株都含有AHPND相关的质粒,表现出显著的毒力差异,可能携带不同的溶源噬菌体,也可能不携带溶源噬菌体,溶源噬菌体与副溶血弧菌各分离株的毒力并无必然相关性。     

副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)中溶源噬菌体与其宿主菌致病力的相关性

急性肝胰腺坏死病(Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease,AHPND)是由副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)引起的对虾病害,本研究从患AHPND的凡纳滨对虾样品中分离得到5株副溶血弧菌,采用致AHPND的副溶血弧菌(VPAHPND)的相关质粒的引物AP2进行PCR检测,表明这5株菌中均存在AHPND相关质粒.利用丝裂霉素C进行溶源性噬菌体筛选和噬菌体诱导发现,其中2株副溶血弧菌(20130629002S01和20130726001S01)可能存在溶源性噬菌体感染;从经0.5 μg/ml丝裂霉素C诱导的20130629002S01和20130726001S01中分别分离得到两种噬菌体phage1和phage2.透射电镜观测显示,phage1为有尾噬菌体,phage2为球形噬菌体.将上述5株副溶血弧菌进行卤虫无节幼体人工感染实验,结果显示,它们对卤虫无节幼体均有致病力,且各分离株的毒力表现出显著性差异;20130629002S01和20130726001S01两株带有溶源性噬菌体的副溶血弧菌的致病力显著低于无噬菌体的副溶血弧菌(20130721001S02).本研究结果表明,5株VPAHPND分离株都含有AHPND相关的质粒,表现出显著的毒力差异,可能携带不同的溶源噬菌体,也可能不携带溶源噬菌体,溶源噬菌体与副溶血弧菌各分离株的毒力并无必然相关性.     

凡纳滨对虾感染致急性肝胰腺坏死病副溶血弧菌(VpAHPND)的定量分析

对虾急性肝胰腺坏死病(Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease, AHPND)是由致AHPND副溶血弧菌(AHPND-causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus, VpAHPND)携带的pVA1-like质粒所表达的PirAVp和PirBVp毒力蛋白对对虾肝胰腺的急性毒性所致。本研究用2.19×105 CFU/ml VpAHPND分离株20130629002S01对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)进行浸泡感染,于感染后2~9 d采集对虾的肝胰腺、鳃、肠道、肌肉组织,采用实时荧光定量PCR方法,检测各组织中的pirAVp拷贝数。结果显示,感染后凡纳滨对虾各组织均能检测到pirAVp,其中,肝胰腺在感染后第4天达到峰值, 为8.71×104 copies/mg,而鳃、肌肉、肠道分别在第3、4、5天达到峰值,分别为9.08×103、2.59×104、5.76×104 copies/mg。早期感染鳃组织中先出现VpAHPND的富集,在高死亡发生期,VpAHPND数量在肝胰腺和肠道出现高峰,在死亡数量逐渐下降的后期,各组织的VpAHPND均快速下降,肠道、肝胰腺和肌肉中的VpAHPND水平趋于接近。对虾肝胰腺组织病理切片显示,同一时间有临床症状的病虾和濒死对虾相比,濒死对虾表现出更严重的AHPND病理特征,且二者的组织病理特征均随着感染时间的延长变得更为严重,但检测到的VpAHPND数量呈下降趋势。研究表明,在VpAHPND感染过程中,组织中的pirAVp基因数量不能代表对虾的发病程度,发病程度及组织病理严重的AHPND样品中VpAHPND的数量不一定处于高水平状态。     

2株副溶血弧菌不同盐度下致病性和毒力基因差异分析

副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)是常见的食源性致病菌和海水养殖动物致病菌,目前已知的毒力基因有tlh、tdh、trh、T3SS、pirA、pirB、toxR/S、orf8等。盐度是影响细菌基因表达的关键生态因子之一,为进一步探求副溶血弧菌的致病机理,对2株分别分离自海水和淡水养殖发病凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)中的副溶血弧菌在不同盐度下的生长速率、致病性进行检测,并用q-PCR方法对菌株毒力基因携带和表达情况进行定量研究。实验结果表明:海水菌株383生长速率快于淡水菌株V9,但菌株383在生长稳定期的细菌浓度明显低于菌株V9;菌株383对凡纳滨对虾的致病性明显高于菌株V9,前者的48 h半致死浓度(LD_(50))低于后者2个数量级;2株副溶血弧菌皆携带毒力基因tlh、T3SS1和pirA/B,但未检测到tdh、trh、T3SS2、toxR/S和orf8。部分毒力基因表达量检测结果显示,菌株383和菌株V9均为vcrD1表达量最高,其次是pirA,vopD1表达量最低;4个毒力基因不仅在2菌株间的表达量差别较大,而且盐度对同一菌株不同毒力基因表达的影响也是不同的。2株副溶血弧菌的毒力与pirA和vcrD1的表达量呈正相关性。研究结果为探究环境因素与副溶血弧菌致病力的关系提供了科学依据,同时也提示,淡水养殖凡纳滨对虾要防范副溶血弧菌输入的风险。     

卵黄抗体对凡纳滨对虾生长、免疫及抗VpAHPND感染的影响

为探讨特异性卵黄抗体抗致急性肝胰腺坏死病副溶血弧菌 (Vibrio parahaemolyticus associated with acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease, VpAHPND) 感染的效果及其机制,防控对虾急性肝胰腺坏死病 (Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease, AHPND),本研究以添加不同剂量VpAHPND卵黄抗体制剂 (0、0.2%和0.5%) 的饲料投喂凡纳滨对虾幼虾,测定对虾的生长率和存活率、对虾肝胰腺免疫酶活力和免疫基因相对表达水平,通过浸浴感染实验测定免疫对虾抗VpAHPND感染的能力。生长实验结果显示,免疫28 d后,免疫组与未添加卵黄抗体制剂的对照组对虾在平均生长率、特定生长率和存活率方面均无显著性差异。免疫功能实验结果显示,免疫14 d后,与对照组相比,0.2%免疫组对虾肝胰腺的酚氧化酶 (PO)、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、溶菌酶 (LZM) 活力显著升高,抗菌肽 (Crustin) 基因的相对表达水平也显著升高,而β-1,3-葡聚糖结合蛋白-脂蛋白 (β-GBP-HDL) 基因的相对表达水平则显著降低。浸浴感染实验结果显示,0.2%免疫组对虾的存活率显著高于对照组;0.2% VpAHPND卵黄抗体制剂对凡纳滨对虾的相对免疫保护率为63.77%。研究表明,口服卵黄抗体不会对凡纳滨对虾的生长和存活产生不良影响,0.2%的VpAHPND卵黄抗体制剂通过提升凡纳滨对虾的PO、SOD、LZM活力和Crustin基因表达水平,增强凡纳滨对虾的免疫功能,从而提高对虾抗VpAHPND感染的能力,具有很强的应用潜力。本研究为使用特异性卵黄抗体防控AHPND提供了依据,也为其作用机制研究提供了参考。     

一株致病性溶藻弧菌的多重耐药与毒力基因分子分析

从发病的凡纳滨对虾中分离并经鉴定得到一株溶藻弧菌(命名为:V_A-76),通过对虾回感实验和药物敏感性实验分别对V_A-76菌株的耐药表型和致病能力进行了研究,并运用PCR方法检测了该菌的毒力相关基因、整合子和耐药基因的携带情况。对虾感染实验结果表明,溶藻弧菌V_A-76能够导致凡纳滨对虾发病死亡。经PCR检测发现,该菌携带8种毒力相关基因:tdh、tlh、tox S、collagenase、fla A、omp W、asp A和fur。药敏结果显示,V_A-76对环丙沙星、氯霉素、链霉素、红霉素、磺胺甲噁唑、复方新诺明和利福平7种药物表现出较高的耐药水平,且该菌包含1类整合子、4类超级整合子SXT和1型插入序列共同区(ISCR1)。此外,该菌携带arr-2、dfr A27、str A、str B、floR、cat和qnrv C耐药相关基因。从上述研究结果可知,菌株V_A-76既具有一定的感染能力,同时对多种抗菌药物表现出较高的耐药水平,提示应对养殖源致病性弧菌的耐药性现状予以更多的关注。     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

A novel approach to denitrification processes in a zero-discharge recirculating system for small-scale urban aquaculture

This paper presents an innovative process to solve the nitrate build-up problem in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The novel aspects of the process lie in a denitrification bioreactor system that uses solid cotton wool as the primary carbon source and a unique degassing chamber. In the latter, the water is physically stripped of dissolved gaseous O₂ (by means of a Venturi vacuum tube), and the subsequent denitrification becomes more efficient due to elimination of the problems of oxygen inhibition of denitrification and aerobic consumption of cotton wool. The cotton wool medium also serves as a physical barrier that traps organic particles, which, in turn, act as an additional carbon source for denitrification. Operation in the proposed system gives an extremely low C/N ratio of 0.82 g of cotton wool/g of nitrate N, which contributes to a significant reduction of biofilter volume. The additional advantage of using solid cotton wool as the carbon source is that it does not release organic residuals into the liquid to be recycled. Operation of the system over a long period consistently produced effluents with low nitrate levels (below 10 mg N/l), and there was only a very small need to replace system water. The overall treatment scheme, also incorporating an aerobic nitrification biofilter and a granular filtration device, produced water of excellent quality, i.e., with near-zero levels of nitrite and ammonia, a sufficiently high pH for aquaculture, and low turbidity. The proposed system thus provides a solution for sustainable small-scale, urban aquaculture operation with a very high recovery of water (over 99%) and minimal waste disposal.     

Fertilization by refrigerator stored sperm of the Indian major carp, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822)

This study reports on the spermatological properties, and on the development of a protocol for refrigerator storage (4°C) of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) sperm for artificial breeding. Volume, motility, concentration and pH of the freshly collected sperm were 2.21 ± 0.53 (μL g^?1 of fish weight) (mean ± SD), 95 ± 1 (%), 1.93 ± 0.44 × 10⁹ (cells mL^?1) and 7.56 ± 0.17 respectively. Sperm activation was evaluated at different osmolalities of NaCl solution, and motility ceased completely when osmolality of the extender was ≥287 mOsmol kg^?1. Sperm retained motility for 24, 72 and 108 h, after refrigerator storage when sperm were undiluted, suspended in Alsever's solution and suspended in Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol respectively. Fertilization rate of fresh eggs with sperm stored at 4°C in Alsever's solution and Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol was 77% and 60% with a hatching rate of 60% and 43% respectively. The fertilization and hatching success of the stored sperm suggests potential to use refrigeration for transporting genetic material to hatcheries for artificial breeding of L. calbasu in Bangladesh.