Detection of channel catfish virus in asymptomatic adult channel catfish,Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)*

Abstract. Two populations of channel catfish were examined for the presence of channel catfish virus (CCV) by use of a nucleic acid probe. In one population of 22 fish with no history of CCV, viral DNA was found in every liver. These fish had previously been examined by a technique involving co-cultivation of their leucocytes with catfish tissue culture cells. The co-cultivation method had identified virus in 10 of these fish. The second fish population consisted of 14 adults that had survived a CCV outbreak in 1980. Of the 14 fish, 11 showed positive indication of CCV DNA. The tissue distribution of the CCV differed from fish to fish. All fish from the first group and one fish from the second group showed some alterations in the DNA banding patterns expected from pure CCV DNA. This might be indicative of modifications in the genomic structure of the CCV DNA when the virus is latent in a fish.     

Vibriosis in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Abstract. An epizootic due to Vibrio anguillarum was observed in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Lesions in infected fish included ulceration and petechiae on body surfaces, vent and caudal peduncle. Internally, haemorrhages in liver and kidney were present and the intestinal tract was filled with a clear viscous fluid. Using an isolant recovered during the epizootic, laboratory studies were conducted to determine (a) bacterial dynamics of the agent in blood, kidney and liver and (b) clinical haematologic and biochemical parameters in infected fish. Under conditions of the study, vibrios were apparently sequestered in kidney and liver during initial stages of infection (8–12 h after exposure). Later, bacterial numbers in blood were comparable to those in kidney and liver. Clinical parameters of infected catfish were suggestive of cellular and tissue destruction and renal dysfunction. Based upon data of the present study and those of others, vibriosis appears to be a disease in which the agent is localized in select tissues. Secondary septicaemia may be incidental to factors which compromise host defences.     

Branchiomyces infection in farm-reared channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Four cases (representing outbreaks in four different ponds on three farms) of branchial mycosis caused by Branchiomyces spp. were identified in channel catfish fry during the summer of 1996. Mortalities ranged from a few hundred to several thousand fish per pond. Significant gross and histopathological findings from these four cases were limited to the gills. All fry examined had fungal mycelia that were mainly but not entirely confined to the base of the primary lamellae and the gill arches. These fungal hyphae were intravascular and occluded vessels in the gill tissues. The present paper describes the fungal characteristics and pathology of branchial mycosis caused by Branchiomyces spp. in channel catfish.     

Detection of channel catfish virus DNA in acutely infected channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), using the polymerase chain reaction

Channel catfish virus (CCV) causes an acute haemorrhagic disease in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), fry and fingerlings. The present study describes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for detection of CCV DNA in the tissues of acutely infected juvenile catfish. The assay is rapid, sensitive and specifically detects CCV DNA derived from epidemiologically distinct viral isolates. The use of two independent PCR primers sets, each specific for particular CCV genes (open reading frames 8 and 59), provides a means to confirm the results and minimize false-positive results. The method identifies CCV DNA in several tissues of acutely infected fish, including the brain, blood, intestine, kidney and liver. The CCV PCR assay is useful for the diagnosis of acute CCV disease and for studies to investigate the molecular basis of CCV pathogenesis.     

Logit models for evaluating spawning performance of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Broodstock evaluations are often measured by variables such as spawning success, fecundity, fertilization and hatching rates, usually expressed as percentage values. Outcomes are generally analysed as continuous random variables, assuming that they follow a normal distribution. Ordinary linear regression models (e.g. analysis of variance) as well as χ² analysis are typically applied. However, these models may not be the most appropriate as a number of test criteria may not be met. For example, spawning success outcomes are inherently discrete and non‐negative data and hence their distribution is not likely to be normal. As these models may not be the most appropriate, a case study using logit analysis as an alternative method for the evaluation of this type of data is presented by considering the response as binary data (spawned versus did not spawn). An exact version of logit analysis was performed due to the sparseness of the data. The results demonstrate that appropriate statistical models provide better insight into the cause–effect relationships that exist between control variables and the dependent variable (likelihood of spawning in this case). As would be expected, each strain of fish responded somewhat differently to the test variables. Changing the protein level of the diet from 32% to 42% or increasing the feeding frequency from three to six times per week either did not influence spawning or negatively affected spawning respectively. Additionally, older fish performed better than younger fish and the early spawning period was better than the later spawning period, regardless of strain. These responses, however, were only detected using logit analysis, which is a more sensitive test and would thus be recommended for this type of data.     

Environmental factors affecting outbreaks of winter saprolegniosis in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Abstract. Previous studies have led to the development of a laboratory model for a disease termed 'winter saprolegniosis', locally referred to as 'winter kill', occurring in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, raised in commercial ponds in the southeastern United States. In the laboratory, the onset of disease was routinely brought about by a combination of two related factors: (1) a rapid drop in water temperature which induces immunosuppression in catfish; and (2) maintenance of low water temperatures (∼10°C), which favour the proliferation of an ubiquitous fungus of the genus Saprolegnia to produce high levels of fungal zoospores (≥5 spores ml⁻¹). In this study, two commercial catfish ponds were monitored for over one year to determine if the above factors occurred in the field and could be correlated with outbreaks of winter saprolegniosis. It was noted that passages of severe cold weather fronts were able to drop pond water temperatures ≥10°C within 24h and that such decreases in water temperature were associated with immunosuppression of the catfish in the ponds. Furthermore, when Saprolegnia sp. zoospore levels were ≥5 spores ml^-1, the immunocompromised catfish exhibited overt signs of winter saprolegniosis. If one of the factors implicated in the induction of disease was missing, fish in the ponds remained healthy. In addition, the onset of disease in the ponds appeared independent of pH and oxygen, total ammonia nitrogen and un-ionized ammonia levels. Collectively, these field results confirm the laboratory-based hypothesis concerning the aetiology of winter saprolegniosis in channel catfish.     

Histological effects of prolonged sublethal hypoxia on channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Abstract. A vacuum degassing apparatus was used to subject channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) to sublethal hypoxia for 24, 48 or 72 h. Spleen, liver, gills, anterior kidney and posterior kidney from the catfish exhibited histopathological changes that included necrosis, hyperaemia, oedema, haemorrhage, hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Of the organs examined, gills were most affected by the hypoxic conditions. After 5 days of reacclimatization to normoxic conditions, channel catfish continued to exhibit histopathological effects of prolonged hypoxia.     

Kaolinitic clay protects against Flavobacterium columnare infection in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Columnaris disease, caused by the bacterial pathogen Flavobacterium columnare, continues to be a major problem worldwide in both wild and cultured freshwater finfish. Despite the far-reaching negative impacts of columnaris disease, safe and efficacious preventatives and curatives for this disease remain limited. In this study, we evaluated the potential of kaolin (Al₂Si₂0₅(OH)₄), a type of clay, for the prevention of columnaris disease. Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), fingerlings were experimentally challenged with Flavobacterium columnare in untreated water or with water containing kaolin (1 g L⁻¹). Over the 7-day course of study, kaolin treatment led to significantly (P < 0.001) improved survival (96%) as compared to untreated fish (78% survival). Histological examination of the gills revealed that kaolin-treated fish had substantially less gill damage than untreated controls. Quantitative PCR analysis of gill tissue revealed that kaolin significantly reduced F. columnare adhesion (measured at 1 h post-challenge) and colonization (24 h post-challenge). Incubation of kaolin with F. columnare in vitro demonstrated that kaolin reduced the number of F. columnare cells in culture supernatants, presumably through the formation of physical complexes through adsorption. In summary, kaolin can improve survival, reduce gill pathologies and reduce bacterial attachment to key tissues associated with columnaris disease in channel catfish by binding to F. columnare.     

Glucan administration potentiates immune defence mechanisms of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque

Abstract. Intraperitoncal injection of β-l,3 glucan in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, greatly reduces mortality from experimental infection with Edwardsiella ictaluri. Anterior kidney phagocytes from fish receiving glucan had enhanced phagocytic and bactericidal ability. The elevated bactericidal ability of phagocytes was not accompanied by increased production of hydrogen peroxide. Fish injected with glucan responded to subsequent E. ictaluri immunizations with higher serum antibody titres relative to the control catfish. The timing of glucan administration and antigen immunization was also important. These results indicate that β-1,3 glucan potentially could be utilized prophylactically as an immunomodulator in channel catfish.