title: Immunological alterations in juvenile Pacific herring, Clupea pallasi, exposed to aqueous hydrocarbons derived from crude oil.
abstract: The effects of acute and subchronic aqueous hydrocarbon exposures in the ppb range (0.2-127microg/L total PAH) on the immune system in Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) were examined through specific immunocompetency assays and a host resistance model using Listonella anguillarum. Short-term hydrocarbon exposure at the highest concentration significantly enhanced respiratory burst activity (RBA) in macrophages and decreased plasma lysozyme concentrations, however, subchronic exposure (4-57d) reduced RBA. Fish in the high exposure group were also less susceptible to the pathogen L. anguillarum following acute hydrocarbon exposure; however, this group was the most susceptible following subchronic exposures. These results are explained by a measured transient physiological stress response and long-term effects on ionoregulation. This study illustrates that hydrocarbon-elicited effects are dynamic and that toxic outcomes with respect to the teleost immune system depend on chemical concentrations and composition, exposure durations and the specific pathogen challenge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6. ckennedy@sfu.ca
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Anthony P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Farrell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D005399:Fishes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D053526:Listonella; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D010578:Petroleum; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute / Q000379:methods; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D006854:Hydrocortisone