Publication Abstract

Characterisation of Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the causative agent of rainbow trout fry syndrome (RTFS), using rabbit serum

Characterisation of Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the causative agent of rainbow trout fry syndrome (RTFS), using rabbit serum

A.D. Faruk, R.E. Campbell, K.D. Thompson, R.E. Rangdale and R.H. Richards

Flavobacterium psychrophilum is the causative agent of rainbow trout fry syndrome (RTFS), a serious bacterial disease affecting hatchery reared rainbow trout fry and fingerlings in many parts of Europe. Rabbit sera were produced against virulent (B97026P1) and non-virulent (32/97) strains of F psychrophilum. Specificity of the antiserum was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for 33 different isolates of F. psychrophilum obtained from diverse geographical locations. Different reaction patterns were obtained by two antisera in ELISA against the various F. psychrophilum isolates, allowing five groups to be distinguished. No correlation was apparent between serotypes and geographical origin of the strains, the species of host fish from which they were recovered or the virulence of the isolates. The cross-reactivity of the antiserum with twenty-six other bacterial fish pathogens was also examined by ELISA. Low levels of cross-reactivity were observed with the anti-32/97 serum, while the anti-B97026P1 serum cross-reacted with a number of bacteria other than F. psychrophilum.

Reference:

A.D. Faruk, R.E. Campbell, K.D. Thompson, R.E. Rangdale and R.H. Richards. 2002. Characterisation of Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the causative agent of rainbow trout fry syndrome (RTFS), using rabbit serum. Bulletin of the European Association of Fish Pathologists 22 (6) 354-365.

A.D. Faruk, R.E. Campbell, K.D. Thompson, R.E. Rangdale* and R.H. Richards

Bulletin of the European Association of Fish Pathologists 22 (6) 354-365