Organophosphate Poisoning of Atlantic Salmon in Connection with Treatment against Salmon Lice

Abstract

Three incidents with high mortality in Atlantic salmon after trichlorfon treatment against salmon lice are described. All 3 incidents occurred at water temperatures of 12°C or higher. The mean brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of dead fish was less than 20% of normal activity, while survivors showed mean activities of 22–61% of normal levels. Dichlorvos residues in muscular and liver tissues ranged from nondetectable levels to 0.2 tissue. The strongest inhibition of brain AChE was found in association with the highest dichlorvos residues. Substantial AChE-inhibition was, however, also found in samples in which dichlorvos residues could not be detected. AChE-determination was found to be more reliable than residue analysis for the diagnosis of organophosphate poisoning in salmon.