胡子鲶致病性气单胞菌的分离鉴定及其致病力与毒力基因型相关性

为探讨广西南宁市、浦北县和玉林市暴发性死亡胡子鲶的病原菌及其所携带6种毒力基因对其致病力的影响,用常规方法从病鱼的心脏、肝脏等部位分离细菌,人工感染实验确定病原菌的致病性,以API 20NE生化鉴定和16S r RNA分子鉴定相结合的方法对病原菌进行鉴定,采用PCR扩增法检测病原菌的6种毒力基因携带情况。结果显示,从患病鱼中共分离到5株病原菌,其中嗜水气单胞菌3株,温和气单胞菌2株。3株嗜水气单胞菌与标准菌株Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC 7966(CP000462)的亲缘关系最近,相似性均为99.8%,2株温和气单胞菌与标准菌株Aeromonas sobria NO.106(AB472903.1)的亲缘关系最近,相似性均达99.9%。6种毒力基因在5株病原菌中的阳性检出率分别为Act和Aer基因100%,ahal、hly和Alt基因均为80%,ahp基因仅20%;毒力基因型共3种,在5株气单胞菌中分布情况为Act+ahal+hly+Alt+ahp-Aer+3株,占实验菌株的60%,为主要的毒力基因,Act+ahal+hly+Alt+ahp+Aer+和Act+ahal-hly-Alt-ahp-Aer+各1株,各占20%。携带全部所检6种毒力基因的菌株致病力最强,只携带Act和Aer 2种毒力基因的菌株致病力最弱。ahp基因在菌株的致病力中起重要作用,病原菌的致病力是多种毒力基因协同作用的结果。     

黄颡鱼暴发性流行病病原的分离鉴定及其3种毒力基因检测

为查明黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)暴发性流行病的病原菌及其3种毒力基因的携带情况,以常规方法进行细菌分离,人工感染试验确定病原菌的致病性,API 20NE和16S rRNA基因序列分析进行细菌鉴定,PCR扩增法检测病原菌的3种毒力基因。结果显示,从发病症状典型的黄颡鱼肝脏中分离到1株嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)GXGP1,与嗜水气单胞菌标准株ATCC 7966T的同源性为99.9%,对黄颡鱼有很强致病力,是引起黄颡鱼暴发性流行病的病原菌,该菌携带有Aer、hly和ahp 3种毒力基因。     

山瑞鳖细菌性败血症病原菌的分离鉴定及其毒力基因检测

查明广西南宁、贵港和桂平养殖山瑞鳖细菌性败血症的病原菌及其6种毒力基因的携带情况,为有效防控山瑞鳖细菌性败血症提供参考。本研究以常规方法从患病山瑞鳖的心脏和肝脏取样、分离细菌,人工感染方法确定分离菌株的致病性,细菌鉴定采用API 20NE生化鉴定和16S rRNA分子鉴定相结合的方法进行,PCR扩增法对菌株的溶血素基因(hemolysin gene,hly)、气溶素基因(aerolysin gene,Aer)、细胞兴奋性肠毒素基因(cytotonic enterotoxin gene,Alt)、细胞毒性肠毒素基因(cytotoxic enterotoxin gene,Act)、黏附素基因(major adhesin gene,ahal)和丝氨酸蛋白酶基因(serine protease gene,ahp)6种毒力基因进行检测。结果显示,从患病山瑞鳖心脏和肝脏中共分离到4株优势菌SRB125、SRB142、SRB143和SRB345,对健康山瑞鳖的平均致死率为97.50%~100.00%,是引起山瑞鳖细菌性败血症的病原菌;生化和分子鉴定结果显示,4株分离菌均为嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila),与A.hydrophila L3-5(KP716701)菌株的亲缘关系最近,同源相似性均达到99.9%;6种毒力基因共包含2种毒力基因型,在4株菌株中的分布为hly~+Aer~+Alt~+Act~+ahal~+ahp~+和hly~+Aer~+Alt~+Act~+ahal~+ahp~–各2株,来源于南宁的SRB143和桂平的SRB345菌株均缺失ahp基因。     

6株鱼源嗜水气单胞菌的分子鉴定与毒力基因分析检测

为了分子鉴定6株鱼源嗜水气单胞菌,并从分子层面验证通过检测毒力基因以推测嗜水气单胞菌潜在致病性的可行性。实验采用PCR扩增16 S rDNA和gyrB基因并结合系统发育树的构建和分析进行菌种的分子鉴定,检测气溶素（ aerolysin, aer）、溶血素（ haemoly-sin, hly）、丝氨酸蛋白酶（ serine protease, ahp）、热稳定细胞肠毒素（ heat-stable cytotonic enterotoxin, ast）和热敏感细胞肠毒素（ heat-labile cytotonic enterotoxin, alt）5种毒力基因,且使用Mega 5．2对核苷酸和氨基酸序列进行分析。结果显示6株菌均为嗜水气单胞菌Aero-monas hydrophila,检测出5种毒力基因中的至少4种,其中均检测出溶血素和2种肠毒素,序列分析表明气溶素、溶血素和丝氨酸蛋白酶的氨基酸序列高度保守。本研究基于16 S rD-NA和gyrB基因可以准确地对嗜水气单胞菌进行分子鉴定,6株菌的毒力基因丰富预示着一定的致病性, aer、 hly和ahp基因相对保守,编码的毒力因子高度同源,在临床分子诊断中建议使用aer、 ahp和hly基因对嗜水气单胞菌的潜在致病性进行检测。     

鲫源嗜水气单胞菌毒力基因多重PCR检测及ERIC-PCR分子分型

为快速了解鲫源嗜水气单胞菌株毒力基因携带情况及与菌株基因型的相关性,建立多重PCR法和ERIC-PCR分子分型,为临床快速检测、菌株分型和菌株致病性分析提供依据。通过单重PCR法检测出标准菌株ATCC7966内5个毒力基因气溶素(aerolysin,aer)、溶血素(hemolysin,hly)、细胞毒性肠毒素(cytotoxic enterotoxin,alt)、胞外蛋白酶(extracellular protease,ahp)和细胞肠兴奋性肠毒素(intestinal cells of excitatory enterotoxin,act),其扩增产物长度依次为300 bp、592 bp、442 bp、856 bp和500 bp。在此基础上,优化并建立特异性高,敏感度达7.2×102cfu·m L-1多重PCR法,用于检测从江苏射阳地区患病水产动物体内分离的17株嗜水气单胞菌5个毒力基因携带率。结果显示,毒力基因act的携带率为100%,而80%的菌株5个毒力基因均有检出。采用ERIC-PCR分子分型技术,以标准菌株ATCC7966为对照,对17株鲫源致病性嗜水气单胞菌进行基因分型,获得两种基因型,分别描述为A型和B型,其中B型菌株14株,带型与ATCC7966一致,认为是当地的主要流行株。探究菌株基因型与毒力基因分布相关性,携带5个毒力基因的均为B型菌株,而所有A型菌株存在一或多个毒力基因缺失,有可能是此类菌株更易发生毒力基因漂变,但还需进一步研究。     

27株嗜水气单胞菌致病性及ERIC—PCR指纹图谱分析

从福建省淡水养殖鱼类体内分离到27株嗜水气单胞菌,根据嗜水气单胞菌16SrDNA基因和气溶素基因（aerolysin）的保守序列,设计2对引物,对所分离到的27株嗜水气单胞菌进行双重PCR扩增,扩增结果表明,其中18株为含有Aer毒力基因的潜在致病性嗜水气单胞菌,占总菌数的66．67％。应用ERIC-PCR分型技术对27株嗜水气单胞菌菌株进行分析,以相似度54．00％为限,所有菌株可分为Ⅰ和Ⅱ两大聚类,以76．00％相似度为界,27株嗜水气单胞菌可分为11个聚类,同一个聚类中菌株分离区域基本相同。分析结果表明,分离的嗜水气单胞菌基因型的多样性和分离地域具有一定的关联,也表明ERIC-PCR可以有效应用于嗜水气单胞茵分子流行病学调查。     

水族箱气单胞菌的鉴定及致病特性分析

为了确定南京市某渔场发病鱼感染的病原,本研究采集患鱼脏器,采用平板培养、生化实验和特异性gyrB基因扩增测序等方法进行细菌的分离鉴定;利用PCR技术检测分离株毒力基因的分布,分析其生物学特性,并进一步通过动物实验确定菌株致病力.结果分离到1株水族箱气单胞菌,命名为LK-25.该菌株携带5种主要毒力基因:气溶素(aer)、细胞毒性肠毒素(act)、细胞兴奋性肠毒素(alt)、温敏胞外蛋白酶(epr)和丝氨酸蛋白酶(ahp),其溶血性和溶蛋白能力较强,对斑马鱼的半数致死量为1.02×103 CFU/尾,确定为强毒株.进化树分析表明,水族箱气单胞菌与嗜水气单胞菌达卡亚种亲缘关系较近.本研究在国内首次报道发现水族箱气单胞菌,为进一步预防该菌所引起的相关疾病的发生和传播提供理论基础.     

不同来源的嗜水气单胞菌（Aeromonas hydrophila）对三角帆蚌的致病性研究

探讨了４种不同来源的嗜水气单胞菌对三角帆蚌的致病力。４种来源的嗜水气单胞菌菌种经复壮、分离、鉴定、人工感染健康三角帆蚌均能引起其发病死亡,临床发病症状相似,但对三角帆蚌的毒力有差异,以甲鱼嗜水气单胞菌对三角帆蚌的毒力最强,牛蛙嗜水气单胞菌的毒力最弱。     

嗜水气单胞菌QseC在响应去甲肾上腺素中的作用

QseBC是一种普遍存在于细菌的双组分调控系统(two-component regulatory system,TCS),能感应细胞外环境因子信号,在调控细菌毒力中发挥着重要作用。为了研究嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)QseC在识别和响应宿主应激激素去甲肾上腺素(norepinephrine,NE)及其对毒力因子表达的调控作用,本实验首先构建了嗜水气单胞菌NJ-35缺失突变株ΔqseC与互补株qseC+,分析了在NE诱导下野生株和突变株的体外毒力因子表达和鱼体死亡率的变化。结果表明,qseC的缺失抑制了NE对嗜水气单胞菌的促生长作用,降低了NE对生物膜形成能力和溶血活性的增强作用及其对罗非鱼的致死率,而对运动性、脂肪酶与蛋白酶活性没有产生显著影响。本实验明确了嗜水气单胞菌QseC能够响应NE,从而调节菌株的毒力,对全面认识嗜水气单胞菌的致病机理及其与宿主的互作机制有着重要意义,并为探索疾病防控新技术奠定相关理论基础。     

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.     

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).     

Imported ornamental fish are colonized with antibiotic‐resistant bacteria

There has been growing concern about the overuse of antibiotics in the ornamental fish industry and its possible effect on the increasing drug resistance in both commensal and pathogenic organisms in these fish. The aim of this study was to carry out an assessment of the diversity of bacteria, including pathogens, in ornamental fish species imported into North America and to assess their antibiotic resistance. Kidney samples were collected from 32 freshwater ornamental fish of various species, which arrived to an importing facility in Portland, Oregon from Colombia, Singapore and Florida. Sixty‐four unique bacterial colonies were isolated and identified by PCR using bacterial 16S primers and DNA sequencing. Multiple isolates were identified as bacteria with potential to cause disease in both fish and humans. The antibiotic resistance profile of each isolate was performed for nine different antibiotics. Among them, cefotaxime (16% resistance among isolates) was the antibiotic associated with more activity, while the least active was tetracycline (77% resistant). Knowing information about the diversity of bacteria in imported ornamental fish, as well as the resistance profiles for the bacteria will be useful in more effectively treating clinical infected fish, and also potential zoonoses in the future.     

Effect of iodophor disinfection of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs on their bacterial and fungus load

This study investigated the efficiency of iodophor disinfection (135 ppm active iodine for 15–30 min) of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs against different groups of bacteria and against fungus. Egg samples were taken from non‐disinfected and from disinfected eggs, microorganisms were cultured on specific nutrient media and their mass was measured by turbidimetric methods. Bacteria and fungus mass of non‐hardened eggs could be reduced but not eliminated by iodophor disinfection with 135 ppm active iodine for 15 min. The extent of reduction was 47–65% (Experiment 1). The efficiency of disinfection increased with disinfection time as the reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was 40–55% after 15 min and 58–74% after 30 min (Experiment 2). Disinfection efficiency of iodophor solution diluted in water (reduction 49–57%) and of iodophor solution diluted in sodium chloride solution iso‐osmolar to the oocytes (reduction 52–61%) was similar (Experiment 3). The reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was persistent as it was 39–72% lower in embryos deriving from disinfected eggs than in embryos deriving from non‐disinfected ones (Experiment 4). In conclusion, the tested disinfection method is inadequate to eliminate pathogens completely but it could positively influence immune defence of eggs and embryos.     

Nitrogenous waste excretion and accumulation of urea and ammonia inChalcalburnus tarichi (Cyprinidae), endemic to the extremely alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Turkey)

The endemic, anadromous cyprinidChalcalburnus tarichi is the only fish species known to occur in alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey). EightC. tarichi were maintained individually in Lake Van water (17 – 19°C; pH 9.8; 153 mEq·I^–1 total alkalinity; 22 total salinity) and tank water samples analyzed for 24 h in 2 to 4 h intervals. At zero time, < 1µM ammonia was present and urea was undetectable in the tank water; at 24 h, total ammonia and urea made up 114±32 and 35±25µM, respectively. Over the experimental period, ammonia-N and urea-N excretion averaged 1041±494 and 607±169moles·kg^–1 fish·h^–1, respectively. The extent of urea excretion was highly variable between specimens. Uric acid excretion was not detectable.Urea was present at high concentrations in all tissues and plasma (25 – 35moles·g^–1·ml^–1) of freshly caughtC. tarichi; total ammonia content of the tissues was by a factor of 1.9 (liver) to 3.0 (brain) lower. High arginase activity (2.4±0.2 U·min^–1·g^–1) was detected in the liver ofC. tarichi but ornithine carbamoylphosphate transferase, a key enzyme of the ornithine-urea-cycle, was absent. Ureagenesis is likely through degradation of arginine and/or uricolysis. High glutamine synthetase activity (11±0.6 U·min^–1·g^–1) and low ammonia content in brain suggest that, like other teleosts,C. tarichi has an efficient ammonia detoxification in the brain, but in no other tissue.Nitrogenous waste excretion at alkaline pH is discussed. The ability ofC. tarichi to excrete high levels of ammonia at extremely alkaline pH is unique among teleosts studied so far. The mechanism of ammonia excretion under Lake Van conditions remains to be elucidated.     

Influence of the antibacterial herbs, Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia on the survival, growth and bacterial load of Penaeus monodon post larvae

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics and chemicals in shrimp hatcheries has led to biomagnification and that in turn could lead to rejection of a whole consignment. The application of the bioencapsulation technique as a tool for curative treatment in shrimp larvae was investigated. Herbs having antibacterial properties such as Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia (methanolic extracts) were bioencapsulated in Artemia and fed to Penaeus monodon post larvae PL 1–25. The post larvae were reared in a medium inoculated with pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio sp. Post larvae reared in the non-inoculated water and fed with non-enriched Artemia exhibited 90% survival, highest specific growth rate (12.43%) and reduced bacterial load. P. monodon reared in the bacterial inoculated water and fed with the non-enriched Artemia exhibited the lowest survival (10–30%), specific growth rate (8.42–9.1%) and increased bacterial load (2.86 × 10³ to 3.76 × 10⁵ cfu/g). The methanolic extracts of the herbs helped to increase survival and specific growth rate and reduced bacterial load in the P. monodon culture system. Among the three herbal extracts, P. corylifolia enriched Artemia fed post larvae showed the tendency to higher survival (>50%), growth rate (11.5 averaged) and low bacterial load (1.12 × 10⁵ cfu/g). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.