The effects of Vibrio anguillarum extracellular products on Japanese eels

To test the effect of Vibrio anguillarum extracellular products (ECP) on Japanese eels, test fish were injected intramuscularly with ECP at a dose of 1 mg protein/100 g body weight of fish. At 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 h post-injection, blood samples were collected for haematocrit, haemoglobin, and serum protein determinations and tissues were fixed in Bouin's solution. Histopathological observations 24 h post-injection revealed that the ECP caused severe damage to muscle tissue, characterized by extensive muscle liquefaction and haemorrhaging. In addition, extensive haemosiderin deposits were observed in the spleen, with lesser deposits occurring in the kidney and liver. Haematocrit, haemoglobin, and serum protein values were lower in ECP-treated fish than in the untreated controls.