Bacterial host interaction of GFP‐labelled Vibrio anguillarum HI‐610 with gnotobiotic sea bass,Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), larvae |
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| Authors: | A Rekecki R A Y S A Gunasekara K Dierckens S Laureau N Boon H Favoreel M Cornelissen P Sorgeloos R Ducatelle P Bossier W Van den Broeck |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium;2. Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium;3. Ecloserie Marine de Gravelines, Voie des Enrochements, Gravelines, France;4. Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium;5. Department of Virology, Parasitology, and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium;6. Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Histology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium;7. Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium |
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| Abstract: | The location and cell damage caused by Vibrio anguillarum, the causative agent of classical vibriosis, within the developing gut of the newly hatched sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), is unknown. A gnotobiotic sea bass model was used to investigate the early interactions of V. anguillarum with sea bass larvae. In the present study, germ‐free sea bass larvae were orally exposed to a V. anguillarum HI‐610 pathogen labelled with the green fluorescent protein (GFP‐HI‐610) and sampled at regular intervals. Pathogenic colonization of gut enterocytes was observed 2 h post‐exposure (p.e.) and onwards, whereas bacteria within the swim bladder were visualized 48 h p.e and onwards. Ultrastructural findings demonstrated direct bacterial contact with the host cell in the oesophageal mucosa and putative attachment to microvilli of mid‐ and hindgut enterocytes. The present findings form a starting point for studies assessing the impact of potential candidates (probiotics, prebiotics, antimicrobial peptides) to mitigate bacterial virulence. |
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| Keywords: | GFP‐labelled pathogen gnotobiotic model system larviculture microscopy ultrastructure |
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