Integrated Transcriptomic-Metabolomic Analysis Reveals Mechanisms of Coelomactra antiquata in Response to Vibrio harveyi Challenge
Coelomactra antiquata is an economically important bivalve species in coastal aquaculture, yet its immune and metabolic responses to pathogenic bacteria remain poorly understood. Vibrio harveyi is a major marine pathogen known to cause severe oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and tissue damage in aquatic invertebrates, posing a threat to bivalve health and aquaculture sustainability. In this study, six experimental groups were established, including four bacterial concentration treatments (V1, V2, V3, V4) and two controls (blank control, BC; PBS-injected control, PC), to determine the 96 h mortality response of C. antiquata. The V3 concentration, which induced a significant mortality increase, was selected for subsequent analyses. Using the V3 and PC groups, hepatopancreas samples were collected at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post-challenge to assess oxidative stress and immune status through biochemical indicators, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), acid phosphatase (ACP), and lysozyme (LZM). Histological examination further revealed structural alterations associated with infection-induced damage.