A review of the taxonomy and seroepizootiology of Vibrio anguillarum, with special reference to aquaculture in the northwest of Spain

Abstract

ABSTRACT. A review of the literature shows that although the number of serotypes of Vibrio anguillarum reported from different countries varies, most of the vibriosis outbreaks throughout the world are caused by only 2 serotypes: 0 1 and 0 2 (European serotype designation). The remaining serotypes, associated mainly with environmental samples such as water, sediment, phyto-and zooplankton, are generally non-pathogenic to fish. This raises the question as to whether the 2 major pathogenic serotypes of V. anguillarum (isolated only from diseased or carrier fish) should be considered opportunistic or obligate fish pathogens. In addition, information useful in epizootiological and vaccination studies is presented about the antigenic heterogeneity detected within serotype 0 2 . In this review, emphasis is placed on the presence in the marine environment of vibrios (presumptively assigned to the V. splendidus and V. pelagius) species that are taxonomically and serologically related with V. anguillarum and some of which have been associated with disease in fish cultured on the Atlantic coast of Spain and Norway. The precise phylogenetic position of these V. anguillarum-like organisms are well as their actual threat to marine aquaculture remains to be clarified.

Classification of Fish-Pathogenic Vibrios Based on Comparative 16S rRNA Analysis

“…This classification, however, has turned out to be an oversimplification (27,41,48 on the basis of both phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Despite these efforts, a satisfactory systematic classification of the fishpathogenic vibrios has not been accomplished previously.…”

“…Variants of vibriosis occur worldwide and affect a great variety of fish species (7, 13, 15,40,41,47,48,51,53), as well as crustaceans and molluscs (4, 5, 20). Although vibriosis has been reported in complete freshwater aquaculture systems (17), this group of diseases is primarily a marine problem.…”

“…This classification, however, has turned out to be an oversimplification (27,41,48). Efforts have been made to bring order to the heterogeneous group of fish-pathogenic vibrios by establishing serological (43,48) and physiological (18, 34) classification systems and by describing new Wbrio species (such as Wbrio salmonicida [13], Vibrio damsela [26], and Ubrio ordalii [41]) on the basis of both phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Despite these efforts, a satisfactory systematic classification of the fishpathogenic vibrios has not been accomplished previously.…”

Biochemical and Serological Characteristics, Drug Resistance and Plasmid Profiles of Spanish Isolates of Aeromonas salmonicida.

“…However, furunculosis in seawater was not detected until 1989 affecting Atlantic salmon and trout which was originated by the transport of yearling fish from the central area of Spain. Actually, furunculosis together with vibriosis are one of the most important bacterial diseases in our area (Toranzo et al, 1989;Toranzo and Barja, 1990).…”

Virulence plasmid pJM1 prevents the conjugal entry of plasmid DNA into the marine fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum 775

“…anguillarum serotype 0 1 is the serotype that predominates among cultured diseased fish, and especially among salmon and trout (Bolinches et al, 1990;Larsen & Olsen, 1991 1991 ; Toranzo & Barja, 1990;Toranzo et al, 1987). Virulence of this serotype of V. anguillarum is nearly always due to the presence of 65-70 kb pJM1-like virulence plasmids that encode a high-affinity ironuptake system (Crosa, 1989;Crosa et al, 1977Crosa et al, , 1985Olsen & Larsen, 1990;Tolmasky et al, 1988;Wiik et al, 1989).…”