Epitheliocystis in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., farmed in fresh water in Ireland is associated with 'Candidatus Clavochlamydia salmonicola' infection

• Published in: Journal of Fish Diseases
• Main Authors: HOLLAND, C., Steinum, Terje Marken, RODGER, H., FALK, K., COLQUHOUN, D. J., MITCHELL, S. O.
• Other Authors: Vet Aqua Int ,, 100540
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Ziraat; Toprak ve Bitki Besleme; Toprak ve Su Muhafazası ve Amenajmanı; Su Hasadı; Su Ürünleri; Sağlık Bilimleri; Veteriner Bilimleri; Tarımsal Bilimler; VETERİNERLİK BİLİMLERİ; DENİZ VE TATLISU BİYOLOJİSİ; Tarım ve Çevre Bilimleri (AGE); Bitki ve Hayvan Bilimleri; BALIKÇILIK; Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12627/44684; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2761.2010.01171.x

Intracellular inclusions containing chlamydia-like organisms are frequently observed in the gill epithelial cells of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., cultured in fresh water in Ireland. In this study, the causative agent was identified in four separate freshwater sites, using 16s rRNA sequencing, as 'Candidatus Clavochlamydia salmonicola'. Histopathology and real-time (RT) PCR were used to further assess infections. The prevalence of infection ranged from 75-100% between sites and infection intensity was highly variable. No significant lesions were associated with these infections. As a diagnostic tool, RT-PCR proved marginally more sensitive than histopathology. The fate of 'Candidatus Clavochlamydia salmonicola' in Atlantic salmon post-seawater transfer was investigated in a 12-week marine longitudinal study. Both RT-PCR and histopathological examination indicate that the organism disappears from the gills 4-6 weeks post-transfer.