The role of Aeromonas salmonicida extracellular products in the pathology of furunculosis

Abstract. The extracellular products (ECP) of Aeromonas salmonicida , prepared by the cellophane overlay method, are lethal to rainbow trout when administered parenterally. Sublethal doses when injected i.p. or i.m. are shown to reproduce all the lesions that have been described in the literature as being associated with furunculosis. In addition, meningitis may be an important feature of furunculosi s and is reproduced by injection of ECP. A serum factor, probably an α-globulin, present in normal serum of rainbow trout, is capable of neutralizing the toxic effects of ECP. The pathology is discussed with reference to the proteolytic and leucocidal properties of the ECP and its effects upon the eosinophilic granular cells which are caused to disperse and degranulate with the possible release of histamine.