Biochemical and molecular characterization of three serologically different Vibrio harveyi strains isolated from farmed Dicentrarchus labrax from the Adriatic Sea

Vibrio harveyi is recognized as one of the major causes of vibriosis, a disease that threatens the long-term sustainability of aquaculture. Current research shows that the Mediterranean strains of V. harveyi are serologically heterogeneous, though research comparing the traits of different strains is scarce. This study aims to describe the biochemical, physiological and genetic characteristics of three serologically different strains of V. harveyi isolated from farmed European Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from the Adriatic Sea. A total of 32 morphological and biochemical markers were examined and, the susceptibility to 13 antimicrobials tested, and then compared the results of high-throughput sequencing and in silico analyses. This study also presents the first whole genome sequences of V. harveyi isolated from European sea bass. A large number of nonsynonymous variations were detected among sequences of the three strains. The prediction analysis of resistance genes did not correspond with the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Six virulence genes previously unrelated to virulence of vibrios were detected in all three studied strains. The results show that differences were detected at every level of comparison among the three studied strains isolated from the same fish species originating from a small geographic area

Survey on laboratories and consultants working in the diagnostics of European seabass and gilthead seabream diseases: preliminary results

European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) are prevailing species in Mediterranean marine finfish aquaculture, and despite an increasing demand of the global markets for high-quality seafood, production and technical performance of these two species in the EU has stagnated over the last few years. Two EU Horizon 2020 projects, MedAID and PerformFISH were launched in 2017 to increase the competitiveness and sustainability of the Mediterranean marine fish aquaculture sector. Since the impact of diseases has been one of the factors attributed to the stagnation, both projects envisaged that the concept of healthy fish was a prerequisite for sustainable and profitable aquaculture. A key element of disease surveillance and health management is the availability of fast, reliable, efficient and validated diagnostic techniques capable of detecting the presence of pathogens and timely diagnosis of diseases in fish stocks. Collaborative activities between both consortia launched specific activities to identify all actors involved in diagnostics and to evaluate their diagnostic capacities. An online “Questionnaire on diagnostic capacities in the Mediterranean basin” was carried out. The results obtained showed disproportionate diagnostic capacity between European and non-European Mediterranean countries. European countries in general showed a high level of diagnostic capacity with many advanced or specialised labs dealing with the main diseases of concern for sea bass and sea bream. There was evidence of lower diagnostic capacities in non-European Mediterranean countries in contrast with their high degree of production, which poses a significant regional risk considering the important movement of juveniles in the region. These findings indicate the necessity to address the health management in the region in a more holistic, cooperative and harmonised way. An important finding was a lack of capacity to diagnose viral diseases although VNN has been identified to be the main health threat.Efforts should be engaged in capacity building in the countries missing particular techniques and improvement and training is a priorty. For this purpose, national focal points should be established to create an international network aimed at improving and harmonising all future activities in the field of diagnostics of Mediterranean fish diseases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bottlenecks in diagnostics of Mediterranean fish diseases

Three independent Horizon 2020 projects are prioritising a common task of solving diagnostic issues using different approaches and strategies. PerformFISH focuses its research objectives on diagnostic methods, MedAID has prepared a diagnostic manual for the most devastating fish diseases of the Mediterranean and ParaFishControl has prepared a diagnostic manual on parasitic diseases of European aquaculture species. Currently, the projects are investing large collaborative efforts to reinforce their tasks and to deliver mutual and cutting-edge material on the subject. Nevertheless, further efforts for the harmonisation, standardisation and validation of diagnostic methods for infectious diseases in Mediterranean aquaculture are needed, involving as many relevant stakeholders and experts as possible. The main goal of the workshop (WS) “Bottlenecks in diagnostics of Mediterranean fish diseases”, organised during the 19th International EAFP conference on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish, was to present results already obtained from the projects and discuss the bottlenecks in diagnostic procedures of target groups of pathogens. The WS provided an ideal environment and opportunity to exchange and discuss experiences and data with international experts in the diagnostic field attending the conference. Interactive discussions on diagnostics for a specific group of pathogens have resulted in highlighting new initiatives needed in the management of diseases in Mediterranean aquaculture. Furthermore, the WS emphasised a need for the establishment of this strong interactive network which will collaborate to receive, collect, compile and analyse all information gathered from different parts of the region.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Vibriosis in aquaculture. 16th EAFP Conference, Tampere, Finland, 4th September 2013

Aquaculture in brackish and marine water is growing worldwide. New cultured species are introduced, and types of aquaculture vary from outdoor to indoor and from flow through to recirculated water, at various temperatures. In these types of aquaculture various Vibrio species play an important role, as causative agents of fish, crustacean and shellfish diseases

Bottlenecks in diagnostics of Mediterranean fish diseases

Three independent Horizon 2020 projects are prioritising a common task of solving diagnostic issues using different approaches and strategies. PerformFISH focuses its research objectives on diagnostic methods, MedAID has prepared a diagnostic manual for the most devastating fish diseases of the Mediterranean and ParaFishControl has prepared a diagnostic manual on parasitic diseases of European aquaculture species. Currently, the projects are investing large collaborative efforts to reinforce their tasks and to deliver mutual and cutting-edge material on the subject. Nevertheless, further efforts for the harmonisation, standardisation and validation of diagnostic methods for infectious diseases in Mediterranean aquaculture are needed, involving as many relevant stakeholders and experts as possible. The main goal of the workshop (WS) “Bottlenecks in diagnostics of Mediterranean fish diseases”, organised during the 19th International EAFP conference on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish, was to present results already obtained from the projects and discuss the bottlenecks in diagnostic procedures of target groups of pathogens. The WS provided an ideal environment and opportunity to exchange and discuss experiences and data with international experts in the diagnostic field attending the conference. Interactive discussions on diagnostics for a specific group of pathogens have resulted in highlighting new initiatives needed in the management of diseases in Mediterranean aquaculture. Furthermore, the WS emphasised a need for the establishment of this strong interactive network which will collaborate to receive, collect, compile and analyse all information gathered from different parts of the region.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio