Publication Abstract

Co - infection of a yeast - like organism in Hematodinium infected European edible crabs Cancer pagurus and velvet swimming crabs Necora puber from the English Channel.

Co - infection of a yeast - likeorganism in Hematodinium infected European edible crabs Cancer pagurus and velvet swimmingcrabs Necora puber from the English Channel.

G.D. Stentiford M. Evans. K. Bateman and S.W. Feist

During the winter months, edible crabs Cancerpa gurus and velvet swimming crabs Necora puber from the English Channel canharbour infections by a Hematodinium sp. dinoflagellate. This parasite isresponsible for a highly pathological condition known as 'Pink Crab Disease' (PCD) in theedible crab. In the current study, a high proportion (between 25 and 100%) of Hematodinium-infectededible and velvet swimming crabs captured from 2 sites in the English Channel alsoharboured a systemic infection by a yeast-like organism. This is the first report of suchan infection in crabs. Budding yeast-like cells were observed intracellularly incirculating haemocytes and free in the host plasma. These cells stained positively withsilver and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reactions. Despite an apparent haemocytopoenia inHematodinium-infected crabs, haemocytic encapsulation of yeast-like cells was evident,while no such response was observed against Hematodinium sp. plasmodia. It ishypothesised that Hematodinium infection in these crabs may either increase thelikelihood of secondary infections via an indirect suppression of the host immune system,or alternatively, decrease the likelihood of competitive growth inhibition by stimulatingthe host immune system to encapsulate and destroy secondary pathogens. Results arediscussed with regard to the likely identity of the yeast-like organism, and the role ofsecondary pathogens in the eventual mortality of Hematodinium-infected hosts.

Reference:

G.D. Stentiford M. Evans. K. Bateman and S.W. Feist . 2003. Co - infection of a yeast -like organism in Hematodinium infected European edible crabs Cancer pagurus and velvetswimming crabs Necora puber from the English Channel. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 54 (3)195-202

G.D. Stentiford* M. Evans. K. Bateman and S.W. Feist*

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 54 (3) 195-202