title: Effects of formalin, chloramine-T, and low salinity dip on the behavior and hemolymph biochemistry of the American lobster.
abstract: The purpose of this research was to investigate the salinity and formalin sensitivity of a ciliate parasite (Anophryoides haemophila) of the American lobster (Homarus americanus), and to examine the target-animal (lobster) safety of chemical-bath treatments involving low salinity, formalin, or chloramine-T that could be used to control this parasite in lobster pounds. "Bumper car" disease, caused by An. haemophila, is an important concern to lobster pound operators in eastern North America, because of the implicated lobster mortality rate and the general lack of preventive and therapeutic intervention regimes. We determined, using an in vitro method, that formalin at 50 mg/L, or low salinity at 8.0 parts per thousand (ppt) for 1 hour killed 100% of the parasites. When healthy lobsters were exposed to formalin at 200 mg/L, there were no negative behavioral responses and no significant differences in a panel of hemolymph biochemical indices. Similar results occurred when lobsters were exposed to chloramine-T, a common finfish therapeutic agent for topical bacteria and protozoa, at 10 mg/L for 1 hour. The low salinity treatment (8.0 ppt) resulted in significant adverse changes in lobster behavior and biochemical indices; however, these changes did not persist for more than 1 week after treatment ended. Although these treatments are unlikely to kill parasites that have already invaded the lobster carapace, they should be effective in reducing parasite loads on the gill and carapace surface of the lobster and in the environment of the impoundment housing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Speare
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cawthorn
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Horney
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: MacMillan
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: MacKenzie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002700:Chloramines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016798:Ciliophora; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D008121:Nephropidae / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000502:physiology; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013289:Streptococcaceae / Q000187:drug effects; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002700:Chloramines; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; C016300:chloramine-T; D005557:Formaldehyde; D012965:Sodium Chloride