Open AccessEdwardsiella ictaluri in a Colony of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Used in a Teaching Laboratory
Author(s) -
Francis Sun,
Marcus J Crim,
Mathias Leblanc
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
comparative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2769-819X
pISSN - 1532-0820
DOI - 10.30802/aalas-cm-21-000034
Subject(s) - edwardsiella ictaluri , zebrafish , danio , biology , catfish , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , veterinary medicine , zoology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , medicine , gene , ictalurus
A small colony of zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) experienced 30% acute mortality within a few days after receipt from a commercial source. A few fish presented with small areas of raised scales or tissue necrosis, primarily near the caudal peduncle. Edwardsiella ictaluri ( E. ictaluri) was identified by real-time PCR of pooled zebrafish and swabs of the pre-filter and fine filter pads, with subsequent sequence analysis. E . ictaluri is most commonly associated with an enteric septicemia in catfish species and can have significant economic impact on commercial catfish fisheries. However, several references report naturally occurring E . ictaluri infection of nonictalurid fishes, including zebrafish. Ours is the first report demonstrating the use of environmental sampling to identify E. ictaluri in a zebrafish colony by real-time PCR. Moreover, our report indicates that E . ictaluri is a relevant disease for institutions using zebrafish as research species and emphasizes the importance of carefully considering importation and quarantine practices.