Identification and Characterization of Infectious Pathogens Associated with Mass Mortalities of Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) Cultured in Northern China

• Published in: Biology
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xiang, Huang, Bo-Wen, Zheng, Yu-Dong, Xin, Lu-Sheng, Chen, Wen-Bo, Yu, Tao, Li, Chen, Wang, Chong-Ming, Bai, Chang-Ming
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI 2023
• Subjects: Article; Pacific; Crassostrea gigas; Pacific oyster
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10295669/; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37372044; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12060759

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The history of oyster culture consists of a succession of developmental phases using different species, followed by collapses associated with infectious diseases. The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), native to the northwest Pacific Ocean, was characterized by wide adaptability, and translocated to support major aquaculture industries in many countries around the world. A deadly herpesvirus, Ostreid herpesvirus-1 (OsHV-1), has hit the superior oyster since 1991. OsHV-1 infection, combined with subsequent bacteraemia by opportunistic bacteria, has brought heavy losses to the main production regions of the Pacific oyster. Because of the considerable economic importance of Pacific oysters, there is a wealth of information available on diseases that affect them around the world. Little comprehensive information is available about the epidemiology status of major disease-causing agents in China. On the other hand, the scale and yields of Pacific oyster increased rapidly in recent years, as a result of the introduction and popularization of triploid oysters. In the present study, a comprehensive survey of potential pathogens associated with mortality events of Pacific oysters was carried out. Our results highlight the potential risks of OsHV-1, Vibrio natriegens, and Vibrio alginolyticus to the aquaculture industry of the Pacific oyster in China. ABSTRACT: The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) aquaculture industry increased rapidly in China with the introduction and promotion of triploid oysters in recent years. Mass mortalities affecting different life stages of Pacific oysters emerged periodically in several important production areas of Northern China. During 2020 and 2021, we conducted a passive two-year investigation of infectious pathogens linked to mass mortality. Ostreid herpesvirus-1 (OsHV-1) was detected to be associated with mass mortalities of hatchery larvae, but not juveniles and adults in the open sea. Protozoan parasites, such as Marteilia spp., Perkinsus spp. and Bonamia spp. were ...