Construction and evaluation of type III secretion system mutants of the catfish pathogen Edwardsiella piscicida

Catfish is the largest aquaculture industry in the United States. Edwardsiellosis is considered one of the most significant problems affecting this industry. Edwardsiella piscicida is a newly described species within the genus Edwardsiella, and it was previously classified as Edwardsiella tarda. It causes gastrointestinal septicaemia, primarily in summer months, in farmed channel catfish in the south‐eastern United States. In the current study, we adapted gene deletion methods used for Edwardsiella to E. piscicida strain C07‐087, which was isolated from a disease outbreak in a catfish production pond. Four genes encoding structural proteins in the type III secretion system (T3SS) apparatus of E. piscicida were deleted by homologous recombination and allelic exchange to produce in‐frame deletion mutants (EpΔssaV, EpΔesaM, EpΔyscR and EpΔescT). The mutants were phenotypically characterized, and virulence and vaccine efficacy were evaluated. Three of the mutants, EpΔssaV, EpΔyscR and EpΔesaM, were significantly attenuated compared to the parent strain (p < .05), but EpΔescT strain was not. Vaccination of catfish with the four mutant strains (EpΔssaV, EpΔesaM, EpΔyscR and EpΔescT) provided significant protection when subsequently challenged with wild‐type strain. In conclusion, we report methods for gene deletion in E. piscicida and development of vaccine candidates derived from a virulent catfish isolate.     

Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis of Edwardsiella piscicida isolates pathogenic to fish

This study describes a novel multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) based on six variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci for genotyping of 37 Edwardsiella piscicida (previously Edwardsiella tarda) isolates from multiple sources. The number of alleles identified for each of the six VNTR loci ranged from 3 to 5 with VNTR loci 1 (DI = 0.632) and 3 (DI = 0.644), displaying the highest degrees of polymorphism. MLVA typing of the 37 E. piscicida isolates resulted in the identification of five major clusters consistent with their geographical origins, and were designated as MLVA types I, II, III, IV and V. Types III and V were resolved further into subtypes largely consistent with outbreak source. An MLVA profile comprising a string of integers representing the number of tandem repeats for each allele provided a unique identification for each MLVA type and/or strain. The MLVA protocol described in the current study is robust, relatively simple, has a higher power of resolution than multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) and is capable of discriminating closely related isolates.     

Isolation and identification of fish pathogen Edwardsiella tarda from mariculture in China

The causative agent was isolated from diseased turbots (Scophthalmus maximus) stricken by a high‐mortality outbreak of bacterial septicaemia occurring in a mariculture farm in Yantai, a northern coastal city of China. Seven pure isolates, namely EH‐15, EH‐103, EH‐107, EH‐202, EH‐203, EH‐305 and EH‐306, belonged to Edwardsiella tarda. The phenotypic features of the cultures were analysed extensively. Three of the isolates showed high 16S rDNA sequence similarities with E. tarda sequence (GenBank accession no. EF467289). However, unlike the E. tarda ATCC 15947, all the isolates, except EH‐15, contained a novel large plasmid sized about 23.7 kb. Furthermore, pathogenicity of the isolates was addressed by experimental challenges with fish models. The isolates exhibited strong virulence to swordtail fish with LD₅₀ ranging between 3.8 × 10³ and 3.8 × 10⁵ CFU g^?1, and EH‐202 displaying the lowest LD₅₀ value among them. Antibiotic susceptibilities of E. tarda isolates were assayed. Compared with E. tarda ATCC 15947, the isolates displayed strong resistance to chloramphenicol, and the probable dominant chloramphenicol resistance determinant was cat III. Depicting the main biological properties of turbot‐borne E. tarda strains in China, the study provided useful information for further unveiling their pathogenic mechanisms.     

The effect of iron limitation growth conditions on the cell and extracellular components of the fish pathogen Pasteurella piscicida

The effect of iron limitation, using the iron-chelating agent 2,2 dipyridyl, on the electrophoretic profiles of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and extracellular products (ECPs) from 21 Pasteurella piscicida strains isolated from Europe and Japan was investigated. In addition, the effect of iron-limited and iron-surplus growth conditions on caseinase activity in culture supernatants of the pathogen was examined. The majority of P. piscicida strains, from Greece, Italy and France, cultured under iron-limited conditions, produced four novel OMPs (63 and three at and above 200 kDa). In contrast, iron-regulated outer membrane proteins were not induced in Japanese strains. Electrophoretic analysis of the ECPs from the pathogen grown under iron surplus and iron limitation revealed a large range of products and additional high molecular mass (MM) bands were evident under iron-limited conditions. When culture supernatants were analysed for their activity, most of the bacteria tested showed elevated activities under iron limited conditions. Finally, neither hydroxamate nor phenolate type siderophores could be detected with any of the chemical assays used.     

大菱鲆源杀鱼爱德华氏菌(Edwardsiella piscicida)的分离鉴定

从患腹水病大菱鲆Scophthalmus maximus的肝脏中分离到一株优势细菌G1,经人工感染实验表明G1为引发大菱鲆腹水病的致病菌,且半致死浓度为LD50=1.21×105 CFU·g-1。采用常规的生理生化鉴定方法及分子生物学方法对G1进行分析,结果表明,G1的16SrRNA基因序列与杀鱼爱德华氏菌Edwardsiella piscicida的同源性达100%,系统发育分析表明菌株G1与杀鱼爱德华氏菌分支聚为一支,结合生理生化鉴定结果确定G1为杀鱼爱德华氏菌。药敏试验表明菌株G1对头孢曲松、环丙氟哌酸、左氧氟沙星等8种抗菌药物高度敏感。     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against Pasteurella piscicida, the causative agent of fish pasteurellosis

Six monoclonal antibodies (mabs) produced against Pasteurella piscicida whole cells, cultured under iron limitation conditions, were characterized and specificity tested. Two of the mabs (WE15H1D7 and WE3D6C11) appeared to be specific for P. piscicida lipopolysaccharide, while mabs WE14C10F9 and WE12D7D8 crossreacted with Photobacterium species. The remaining two mabs, WE9D6D8 and VP4B11, crossreacted with other bacterial genera. All mabs reacted with material present in the extracellular products of the pathogen as well as to whole cells, suggesting that the antigens to which antibodies are directed slough off the cell membranes or are secreted to the culture medium. The potential of the mabs as tools for the diagnosis of pasteurellosis is discussed.     

枯草芽孢杆菌对海水鱼塘生态因子的影响

为探讨枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)在鱼类养殖池塘中的生态作用,采用直接往养殖水体中投放该制剂的方法,研究分析微生物数量及其与环境因子的相关关系。结果显示,枯草芽孢杆菌,实验池数量为0.35×10~3~1.45×10~3cfu/m L,对照池为0.04×10~3~0.08×10~3cfu/m L;浮游植物生物量,实验池为0.094~1.521 mg/L,对照池为0.103~0.763 mg/L,实验池中枯草芽孢杆菌数量和浮游植物生物量均高于对照组。试验鱼塘中枯草芽孢杆菌与硅藻数量呈显著正相关,相关系数0.844(P0.05);当溶氧≥6 mg/L时,枯草芽孢杆菌与亚硝酸盐氮含量呈显著负相关,相关系数-0.915(P0.05)。溶氧过低(2 mg/L)时,枯草芽孢杆菌对亚硝酸盐氮、氨氮没有明显的降解作用;溶氧≥6 mg/L时,对亚硝酸盐氮、氨氮的降解作用明显。研究表明,投放适量浓度的枯草芽孢杆菌能有效改善养殖水体状况,对水质起到进一步净化作用。     

枯草芽孢杆菌的活性与环境因子的相关性研究

通过改变水体的盐度、温度、pH值等环境因子的药物敏感试验 ,观察环境因子的改变及不同抗生素对枯草芽孢杆菌生长的影响。结果表明 ,枯草芽孢杆菌的活性受环境因子及抗生素的影响较大 ,酸性环境、低温及多种常用抗生素对芽孢杆菌有明显的抑制作用 ,其最适生长环境是 :pH 7 5～ 8 5 ,温度 6～30℃ ,而盐度对枯草芽孢杆菌的生长影响较小。     

Antagonistic activity of Aeromonas media strain A199 against Saprolegnia sp., an opportunistic pathogen of the eel,Anguilla australis Richardson

A bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) produced by Aeromonas media strain A199 inhibited the growth of Saprolegnia sp. in vitro, an opportunistic pathogen isolated from affected eels, Anguilla australis (Richardson). The presence of BLIS in solid media inhibited the growth of the vegetative state of the aquatic mould as well as the germination of cysts. Uninhibited growth was, however, observed in the presence of inactive BLIS, suggesting that the in vitro antagonism derived from the BLIS of A199. In four independent in vivo tank observations of fish affected with saprolegniosis, the daily addition of A199 to tank water contributed to the subsequent swift recovery of affected hosts from invasion by this opportunistic pathogen.     

花鲈源杀鱼爱德华菌耐药谱及毒力相关性分析

从广东省珠海市养殖花鲈（基因鉴定出87株杀鱼爱德华菌（）。耐药谱分析显示,杀鱼爱德华菌对利福平（98.85%）、麦迪霉素（96.55%）、红霉素（95.40%）、青霉素（68.96%）、磺胺异恶唑（58.62%）、复方新诺明（28.73%）、阿莫西林（21.83%）、庆大霉素（13.79%）、新霉素（10.34%）、呋喃唑酮（3.45%）、诺氟沙星（2.29%）、氯霉素（2.29%）、多西环素（2.29%）、土霉素（1.15%）、氟苯尼考（1.14%）、恩诺沙星（0%）耐药。杀鱼爱德华菌共有32种耐药谱型且均为多重耐药菌株,多重耐药指数为0.423。斑马鱼致死率结果发现,杀鱼爱德华菌是一株中高毒力菌株;进一步的相关性分析揭示,杀鱼爱德华菌毒力与庆大霉素抗性呈正相关（<0.01）呈负相关。综上所述,花鲈源杀鱼爱德华菌为高毒、多重耐药的菌种,其毒力与耐药性多呈现负相关,推测是由于细菌因获得外源DNA而产生额外的生物成本所致。     

Bacillus subtilis CK3 used as an aquatic additive probiotics enhanced the immune response of crayfish Procambarus clarkii against newly identified Aeromonas veronii pathogen

To identify the aetiology of the disease outbreak in cultured Procambarus clarkii, a dominant bacteria strain from the diseased crayfish hepatopancreas was isolated. It was identified as Aeromonas veronii based on biochemical identification and 16S rDNA sequencing. The symptoms of artificially infected crayfish were similar to those of naturally infected P. clarkii. The A. veronii was sensitive to norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, cefuroxime and ceftriaxone antibiotics, while resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin and piperacillin. Virulence genes such as the enterotoxin genes (act, alt and ast) and haemolytic toxin genes (hlyA and aerA) were detected. After A. veronii infection, the connections between some liver tubules disappeared, the vacuoles appeared in the brush border and the mitochondria were enlarged. The antagonistic action of previous identified B. subtilis CK3 against A. veronii was also detected. The supernatant of B. subtilis CK3 exhibits a significant bactericidal effect on A. veronii. After B. subtilis CK3 immersion, the antioxidant enzymes and immune-related enzyme activities in hepatopancreas were significantly higher than control. The accumulative mortality caused by infection of A. veronii can be significantly reduced by adding B. subtilis CK3 into the aquatic water. These results demonstrated that B. subtilis CK3 could act as a water additive to improve the immune response of P. clarkii against newly identified A. veronii. The present study will provide a new way for the prevention and control of crayfish bacterial diseases and also provide technical support for the healthy cultivation of P. clarkii.     

光合细菌和枯草芽孢杆菌对养殖水质的净化作用

以光合细菌(Photosynthetic bacteria,P)和枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis,B)为实验菌种,研究两者最佳浓度配比的复合菌组对淡水养殖水质的净化作用。试验设置1个对照组(CK)和5个复合菌组(PB1、PB2、PB3、PB4、PB5),5个复合菌组浓度配比分别为(2.0×105+1.5×105)CFU/m L、(2.0×105+3.0×105)CFU/m L、(2.0×105+4.5×105)CFU/m L、(4.0×105+1.5×105)CFU/m L、(6.0×105+1.5×105)CFU/m L,分析各试验组的化学需氧量(COD)、氨氮(NH3-N)、溶解氧(DO)、p H等水质指标。结果显示:复合菌能够明显去除水体CODMn,PB2组去除率最高达,44.98%;能有效增加DO,PB2组增氧率最高,为27.9%;能明显去除氨氮,PB2组去除率最高达78%;并且能稳定p H值在8.6左右,5个复合菌组差异不显著(P0.01)。复合菌发挥最佳净化能力的时间约在6~8 d。结果表明,复合菌最佳浓度配比为(2.0×105+3.0×105)CFU/m L,该浓度组较对照组和其他试验组能够显著净化淡水养殖水质,有效改善养殖环境。     

Antibacterial activity of sponge extracts against fish pathogens

The antibacterial properties of organic extracts of 15 species of sponges collected from a depth of 30 m in the coastal waters off Gopalpur (Bay of Bengal) were tested against six virulent fish pathogens. The extracts of 11 sponges showed species‐specific antibacterial activity. Four extracts exhibited broad antibacterial activity against three or more species. Epipolasis topsenti was active against all the six pathogens and showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 12.5 μg against three pathogens. Chromatographic fractionation of extracts yielded enriched fractions with increased activity and lower MIC values.     

The effect of in vivo growth on the cellular and extracellular components of the marine bacterial pathogen Photobacterium damsela subsp. piscicida

Photobacterium damsela subsp. piscicida, the causative agent of fish pasteurellosis, was grown in vivo. Bacterial cells and extracellular products (ECPs) were analysed via electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis, using specific sea bass antisera. Growth in vivo induced the synthesis of unique bacterial cell proteins at > 206, 206, 21.3, 18, 7.6 and < 7.6 kDa. Sea bass serum raised against live bacterial cells of the pathogen and especially a sea bass serum raised against formalin-inactivated bacterial cells grown in a specific novel medium recognized the novel antigens at > 206 (associated with iron sequestration), 21.3, 7.6 and < 7.6 kDa, suggesting that the latter medium conserves the synthesis of natural bacterial cell proteins in vitro. In vivo growth of the pathogen induced the synthesis of more toxic ECPs in comparison with in vitro growth and an inverse correlation between total protein concentration in the ECPs and toxicity per unit of protein was observed. Substrate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis revealed the presence of in vivo synthesized ECPs of the pathogen (proteases) at 175, 132, < 79 and 48.3 kDa. Histological examination of tissues isolated from fish injected with these ECPs revealed inflammatory and necrotic lesions in the spleen, liver, head kidney, intestine and heart as soon as 48 h post-introduction of the ECPs.     

Antibacterial effect of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis on Artemia franciscana nauplii and Dicentrarchus labrax larvae against the fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum

The antibacterial effect of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis against the fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum was determined in Artemia franciscana nauplii and in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) larvae fed with ten pulses of nauplii enriched with L. lactis. The evaluation of the bactericidal activity of the extracellular products of L. lactis in vitro showed inhibition of growth of Vibrio (Listonella) anguillarum and Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida. The incorporation of L. lactis in Artemia nauplii did not affect their survival and offered protection in a challenge with V. anguillarum, significantly increasing LD₅₀. The administration of Artemia nauplii enriched with L. lactis for 48 h to sea bass larvae for five consecutive days had no adverse effect on survival of fish. In an in vivo challenge test with V. anguillarum using sea bass larvae, fish treated with nauplii enriched with the probiotic L. lactis showed significantly (P < 0.001) increased survival rates of 81 % compared with the untreated group of challenged fish (24 %). Our results indicate that L. lactis is a probiotic suitable to be used for the prevention of vibriosis in fish larvae and can be safely administered through their live feed Artemia nauplii.     

Evaluating the protective efficacy of antigen combinations against Photobacterium damselae ssp. piscicida infections in cobia,Rachycentron canadum L.

Cobia, Rachycentron canadum L., is a very important aquatic fish that faces the risk of infection with the bacterial pathogen Photobacterium damselae ssp. piscicida, and there are few protective approaches available that use multiple antigens. In the present study, potent bivalent antigens from P. damselae ssp. piscicida showed more efficient protection than did single antigens used in isolation. In preparations of three antigens that included recombinant heat shock protein 60 (rHSP60), recombinant α‐enolase (rENOLASE) and recombinant glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (rGAPDH), we analysed the doses that elicited the best immune responses and found that this occurred at a total of 30 μg of antigen per fish. Subsequently, vaccination of fish with rHSP60, rENOLASE and rGAPDH achieved 46.9, 52 and 25% relative per cent survival (RPS), respectively. In addition, bivalent subunit vaccines – combination I (rHSP60 + rENOLASE), combination II (rENOLASE + rGAPDH) and combination III (rHSP60 + rGAPDH) – were administered and the RPS in these groups (65.6, 64.0 and 48.4%, respectively), was higher than that achieved with single‐antigen administration. Finally, in combination IV, the trivalent vaccine rHSP60 + rENOLASE + rGAPDH, the RPS was 1.6%. Taken together, our results suggest that combinations of two antigens may achieve a better efficiency than monovalent or trivalent antigens, and this may provide new insights into pathogen prevention strategies.     

养殖大菱鲆病原菌迟缓爱德华氏菌的分离鉴定及其疫苗研制

2006年9月山东胶南某养殖场大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)发生病害,从患病大菱鲆脾脏分离出优势菌株WY28,人工感染试验证实WY28菌株对大菱鲆和斑马鱼(Danio rerio)有较强的致病性,其对大菱鲆和斑马鱼的半数致死剂量(LD50)分别为39cfu/g(Bw)(3.3×102cfu/ind)和2.1×104cfu/g(Bw)(6.4×103cfu/ind).综合该菌在形态与生理生化特征及16S rDNA同源性等方面的实验结果,确定WY28菌株为迟缓爱德华氏菌(Edwardsiella tarda).该菌对先锋霉素V、庆大霉素、氟哌酸、痢特灵等抗生素敏感.WY28菌株经福尔马林灭活制成灭活疫苗,对大菱鲆进行腹腔注射免疫,免疫后第4周测得免疫鱼血清中抗迟缓爱德华氏菌的抗体效价平均为1:1 280.免疫后第6周.免疫鱼血清中抗迟缓爱德华氏菌的抗体效价达到更高水平(平均值为1:3 289.6).攻毒试验表明,受免鱼的相对存活率明显高于对照组.由此可见,利用从病鱼体内分离的迟缓爱德华氏菌菌株制备的灭活疫苗能使大菱鲆较有效抵御迟缓爱德华氏菌强毒株的攻击.     

Piscirickettsia salmonis: a Gram-negative intracellular bacterial pathogen of fish

Piscirickettsia salmonis is the first Gram-negative, intracellular bacterial pathogen isolated from fish and is a significant cause of mortality in salmonid fish. Recent reports of P. salmonis or P. salmonis-like organisms from new fish hosts and geographic regions have increased the interest in the bacterium. In this review, the important characteristics of the bacterium including recent taxonomic changes, features of the disease caused by the bacterium including transmission, hosts, reservoirs, diagnostic procedures, and current approaches for prevention and treatment have been discussed. The reader is also directed to other reviews concerning the bacterium and the disease it causes (Fryer & Lannan 1994, 1996; Almendras & Fuentealba 1997; Lannan, Bartholomew & Fryer 1999; House & Fryer 2002; Mauel & Miller 2002).