The biology, life cycle, genetic characteristics, diagnosis, taxonomy, geographical distribution, host range, economic importance, control, prevention and treatment of Saprolegnia and other Oomycetes in fishes were discussed.

This study was promoted following concern over increasing mortality on 2 farms rearing Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in the Shetland Isles, Scotland. A Mycobacterium sp. was isolated from monbund, market-s~zed Atlantic salmon. Biochemical tests, 1ipi.d analys~s and PCR (polynlerase chain reaction) techniques confirmed the bacterium to be Mycobacterium chelonae. Multiple greyish-white miliary granuloma-like nodules were observed in several tissues. Dense hard-packed nodules contained abundant acid-fast bacteria. Atlantic salmon injected with M. chelonae remained sub-clinically infected, demonstrating the chronic nature of this disease. The source of the pathogen was not identified.

No abstract

Farmed and wild salmonids are affected by a variety of skin conditions, some of which have significant economic and welfare implications. In many cases, the causes are not well understood, and one example is cold water strawberry disease of rainbow trout, also called red mark syndrome, which has been recorded in the UK since 2003. To date, there are no internationally agreed methods for describing these conditions, which has caused confusion for farmers and health professionals, who are often unclear as to whether they are dealing with a new or a previously described condition. This has resulted, inevitably, in delays to both accurate diagnosis and effective treatment regimes. Here, we provide a standardized methodology for the description of skin conditions of rainbow trout of uncertain aetiology. We demonstrate how the approach can be used to develop case definitions, using coldwater strawberry disease as an example.

No abstract