Development of a selective-differential medium for the isolation of Yersinia ruckeri and its application in epidemiological studies

Abstract. The development of a selective-differential medium (ROD) for the isolation of Yersinia ruckeri from carrier and clinically infected rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), is described. This medium was a useful aid for the detection of Y. ruckeri in faecal material and allowed the epidemiology of enteric redmouth disease to be studied in greater detail. Regular use of ROD at two fish farms in southern England has demonstrated that isolation of Y. ruckeri from faeces was possible under field conditions up to 4–6 weeks before acute clinical kidney infection occurred.