Histopathology, bacteriology and experimental transmission of cold-water vibriosis in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

Abstract

In Scotland low level mortalities in farmed Atlantic salmon were associated with a bacterium which had properties generally associated with the genus Vibrio, but which did not resemble any previously described species. In naturally infected fish extensive sloughing and necrosis of the gut mucosa, haemorrhaging, and an increase in peritoneal exudate were recorded. Similar lesions were produced in Atlantic salmon S. salar . L. experimentally infected with the bacterium. This disease outbreak resembles the condition referred to as "Hitra disease" in Norway. In Scotland low level mortalities in farmed Atlantic salmon were associated with a bacterium which had properties generally associated with the genus Vibrio, but which did not resemble any previously described species. In naturally infected fish extensive sloughing and necrosis of the gut mucosa, haemorrhaging, and an increase in peritoneal exudate were recorded. Similar lesions were produced in Atlantic salmon S. salar . L. experimentally infected with the bacterium. This disease outbreak resembles the condition referred to as "Hitra disease" in Norway