Publication Abstract

Proliferative kidney disease in wild salmonids

S.W. Feist and D. Bucke

The literature on proliferative kidney disease (PKD) in wild fish is briefly reviewed. Results of field and laboratory transmission experiments using brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and grayling (Thymallus thymallus) are presented. Grayling were found to be susceptible to the disease with all fish becoming infected with the PKX parasite (causative agent of PKD) and exhibiting clinical and histopathological signs similar to those seen in PKD-affected rainbow trout. Brook trout exposed to waters enzootic for PKD showed no evidence of the disease or of infection with the PKX parasite. However, laboratory experiments demonstrated that brook trout can be infected with rainbow trout PKX cells and that, although clinical signs of PKD did not develop and PKX cells were not observed, the parasite was able to reach the renal tubule lumens and commence sporogony. Mature spores of PKX were not observed.

Reference:

S.W. Feist and D. Bucke, 1993. Proliferative kidney disease in wild salmonids. Fisheries Research, 17(1-2): 51-58