Evaluation of Rainbow Trout as a Model for use in Studies on Pathogenesis of the Branchial Microsporidian Loma salmonae.
Loma salmonae is an economically important gill microsporidian pathogen of pen-reared chinook and coho salmon. Chinook and coho salmon are generally poorly suited for use in laboratory studies because of their high mortality rates when infected with L. salmonae and their high-level of susceptibility to other infectious diseases. Using gill tissue from chinook salmon that contained mature xenomas laden with L. salmonae spores, we successfully transmitted the infection to rainbow trout. The infection developed in an identical manner and over a similar time course in trout as for chinook salmon. In contrast, we were unable to transmit the infection to other candidate salmonid species, including Atlantic salmon, brook trout, or arctic charr. Gill tissue from experimentally infected rainbow trout was then used to successfully transmit the parasite to other trout. Horizontal transmission was documented from infected to naive tankmates. Analysis of these results indicated that L. salmonae can have a complete life cycle in trout and produce viable spores. Although abundant xenomas developed in the gills of infected trout, the fish did not have clinical signs and there were no fatalities. We concluded that use of rainbow trout offers several key advantages for study of the pathobiologic characteristics of L. salmonae.
Speare
David
D
Department of Pathology Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A 4P3.
Arsenault
Garth
G
Buote
Melanie
M