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Prevalence, geographic distribution and phenotypic differences of Piscirickettsia salmonis EM ‐90‐like isolates
Author(s) -
Saavedra J,
Hernandez N,
Osses A,
Castillo A,
Cancino A,
Grothusen H,
Navas E,
Henriquez P,
Bohle H,
Bustamante F,
Bustos P,
Mancilla M
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of fish diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1365-2761
pISSN - 0140-7775
DOI - 10.1111/jfd.12581
Subject(s) - biology , salmo , genotype , pathogen , antibiotics , zoology , microbiology and biotechnology , phenotype , host (biology) , gene , genetics , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery
Early reports accounted for two main genotypes of Piscirickettsia salmonis , a fish pathogen and causative agent of piscirickettsiosis, placing the single isolate EM ‐90 apart from the prototypic LF ‐89 and related isolates. In this study, we provide evidence that, contrary to what has been supposed, the EM ‐90‐like isolates are highly prevalent and disseminated across Chilean marine farms. Molecular analysis of 507 P. salmonis field isolates derived from main rearing areas, diverse hosts and collected over 6 years, revealed that nearly 50% of the entire collection were indeed typed as EM ‐90‐like. Interestingly, these isolates showed a marked host preference, being recovered exclusively from Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) samples. Although both strains produce undistinguishable pathological outcomes, differences regarding growth kinetics and susceptibility to the antibiotics and bactericidal action of serum could be identified. In sum, our results allow to conclude that the EM ‐90‐like isolates represent an epidemiologically relevant group in the current situation of piscirickettsiosis. Based on the consistency between genotype and phenotype exhibited by this strain, we point out the need for genotypic studies that may be as important for the Chilean salmon industry as the continuous surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.