title: Germ-free sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax larval model: a valuable tool in the study of host-microbe interactions.
abstract: A thorough understanding of host-microbe interactions is crucial for more efficient disease management in the marine larviculture industry. As demonstrated in terrestrial animal research, gnotobiotic systems (involving animals cultured in germ-free conditions or inoculated with known microorganisms) are excellent tools to extend our understanding of the mechanisms involved in host-microbe interactions and allow the evaluation of new treatments for diseases. In this study, we introduce a germ-free European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax larval model, independent of the continuous addition of antimicrobial agents. This model has an experimental set-up that allows addition of live feed to the larvae without compromising the germ-free status. This model will facilitate and render aquaculture research more effective in terms of mitigation fish larval diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schaeck
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Swaef
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van den Broeck
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Nevel
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boon
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Geyter
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morent
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Demeestere
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duchateau
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Coulombet
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haesebrouck
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Decostere
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D001492:Bass / Q000382:microbiology*; D004202:Disinfectants; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology; D010063:Ovum / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants