Authors : David J. Pasnik , Joyce J. Evans and Phillip H. Klesius
Abstract: Edwardsiella ictaluri, the causative agent of Enteric Septicemia of Catfish (ESC) has been isolated from other fish species from ten families, but not white perch (Morone americana). In order to determine whether white perch could be experimentally-infected with E. ictaluri, white perch were captured from the Corsica River in Centreville, Maryland, USA, using a castnet. Four perch and 4 cultured channel catfish were experimentally challenged by intraperitoneal injection with 1.0�107 colony-forming units of E. ictaluri/fish. While channel catfish exhibited clinical signs characteristic of ESC, the white perch showed limited and non-specific clinical signs. All challenged fish died within 48 h and 97.5% of nare, brain, head kidney, intestine and posterior kidney samples from the catfish and perch produced growth on 5% de-fibrinated sheep blood agar. The colonies were formed by oxidase-negative, Gram-negative rods and biolog analysis identified the isolates as E. ictaluri (Probability = 99%; SI = 0.91). Despite some differences in clinical presentation, both the channel catfish and white perch were susceptible to E. ictaluri and died due to acute systemic infections. The results of this study demonstrated that white perch are experimentally susceptible to E. ictaluri and this study provides the first description of E. ictaluri infection in white perch.
David J. Pasnik , Joyce J. Evans and Phillip H. Klesius , 2007. Experimental Edwardsiella ictaluri Infection Causes Mortality in White Perch (Morone americana) . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 646-649.