The importance of fisheries and aquaculture production for nutrition and food security

Aquatic food has a significant role to play in global nutrition and food security but is often ignored in that debate. Understanding its potential role is made difficult by the fact that aquatic food covers a large number of species which come from both capture fisheries and aquaculture and the marine and freshwater environments, including finfish, crustacea, molluscs, echinoderms, aquatic plants and other aquatic animals. Further complications arise from the fact that both supply and consumption vary significantly between countries. There are several criteria which need to be considered when discussing nutrition and food security. These include: how much food is produced, whether that production is sustainable, whether the production supports livelihoods, what the nutritional content of the food is and whether that food is safe. The authors conclude that there are many benefits to aquatic food under each of these criteria but there are also some hurdles which need to be overcome. Increased production to feed a growing global population relies on the growth of aquaculture. Challenges to such growth include the supply of raw ingredients for aquafeeds, losses due to disease outbreaks, being able to ensure high standards of food safety and overcoming environmental limitations to expansion. There are also problems with welfare conditions for people working in the supply chain which need to be addressed. Given the challenges to nutrition and food security which the world is currently facing, it is essential that aquatic food is brought into the debate and the significant benefits that aquatic foods provide are acknowledged and exploited.

AQUACULTURE HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND BIOSECURITY PRACTISES IN SOUTH WEST OF BANGLADESH

Bangladesh is now the world fourth largest inland fish producer and more than half of it comes from aquaculture according to 2012 ranking. The shrimp and prawn industry has gained an important place in the national economy and is the third highest foreign income earner. Concomitant with the growth of the shrimp and prawn culture industry has been the recognition of the ever increasing importance of disease, especially those caused by infectious agents. Few studies have aimed to identify the perception of risk and risk management strategies for small scale aquaculture facilities. The aim of this study was to understand existing health management practices in regards to water management practices and salinity in southwest coastal region of Bangladesh. Questionnaires were specifically designed to gather information on shrimp and prawn culture systems and multiple variables relating to disease outbreaks. A total of eight variables related to health management practices throughout production cycle were investigated comprising location of farm from primary source of water, pond preparation technique, water  management practices, in-pond nursing of post larvae (PL), source of PL, salinity level, stocking density and bio security practices. The results found that sharing of water source with other farms, non tested PL, high salinity level, shallow pond, lack of in-pond nursing were considered as diseases risk factors for poly-culture farming system. Furthermore, rainy season (June-August) is risk factors for diseases outbreak because sudden change of salinity level and drop temperature due to rain and freshwater upstream flow. However, risk factors are not direct causes of mortality; instead, risk factors contribute to mortality.

Phylogenetic and functional characterization of the distal intestinal microbiome of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss from both farm and aquarium settings

AIMS

This study focused on comparing the phylogenetic composition and functional potential of the intestinal microbiome of rainbow trout sourced from both farm and aquarium settings.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Samples of distal intestinal contents were collected from fish and subjected to high throughput 16S rRNA sequencing, to accurately determine the composition of the intestinal microbiome. The predominant phyla identified from both groups were Tenericutes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetae and Bacteroidetes. A novel metagenomic tool, PICRUSt, was used to determine the functional potential of the bacterial communities present in the rainbow trout intestine. Pathways concerning membrane transport activity were dominant in the intestinal microbiome of all fish samples. Furthermore, this analysis revealed that gene pathways relating to metabolism, and in particular amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, were upregulated in the rainbow trout intestinal microbiome.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the structure of the intestinal microbiome in farmed rainbow trout may be similar regardless of where the fish are located and hence could be shaped by host factors. Differences were, however, noted in the microbial community membership within the intestine of both fish populations, suggesting that more sporadic taxa could be unique to each environment and may have the ability to colonize the rainbow trout gastrointestinal tract. Finally, the functional analysis provides evidence that the microbiome of rainbow trout contains genes that could contribute to the metabolism of dietary ingredients and therefore may actively influence the digestive process in these fish.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

To better understand and exploit the intestinal microbiome and its impact on fish health, it is vital to determine its structure, diversity and potential functional capacity. This study improves our knowledge of these areas and suggests that the intestinal microbiome of rainbow trout may play an important role in the digestive physiology of these fish.

Genomic comparison of virulent and non-virulent Streptococcus agalactiae in fish

Streptococcus agalactiae infections in fish are predominantly caused by beta-haemolytic strains of clonal complex (CC) 7, notably its namesake sequence type (ST) 7, or by non-haemolytic strains of CC552, including the globally distributed ST260. In contrast, CC23, including its namesake ST23, has been associated with a wide homeothermic and poikilothermic host range, but never with fish. The aim of this study was to determine whether ST23 is virulent in fish and to identify genomic markers of fish adaptation of S. agalactiae. Intraperitoneal challenge of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus), showed that ST260 is lethal at doses down to 10(2) cfu per fish, whereas ST23 does not cause disease at 10(7) cfu per fish. Comparison of the genome sequence of ST260 and ST23 with those of strains derived from fish, cattle and humans revealed the presence of genomic elements that are unique to subpopulations of S. agalactiae that have the ability to infect fish (CC7 and CC552). These loci occurred in clusters exhibiting typical signatures of mobile genetic elements. PCR-based screening of a collection of isolates from multiple host species confirmed the association of selected genes with fish-derived strains. Several fish-associated genes encode proteins that potentially provide fitness in the aquatic environment.

Puffy skin disease (PSD) in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum): a case definition

Puffy skin disease (PSD) is a disease that causes skin pathology in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). Incidence of PSD in UK fish farms and fisheries has increased sharply in the last decade, with growing concern from both industry sectors. This paper provides the first comprehensive case definition of PSD, combining clinical and pathological observations of diseased rainbow trout from both fish farms and fisheries. The defining features of PSD, as summarized in the case definition, were focal lateral flank skin lesions that appeared as cutaneous swelling with pigment loss and petechiae. These were associated with lethargy, poor body condition, inappetance and low level mortality. Epidermal hyperplasia and spongiosis, oedema of the dermis stratum spongiosum and a mild diffuse inflammatory cellularity were typical in histopathology of skin. A specific pathogen or aetiology was not identified. Prevalence and severity of skin lesions was greatest during late summer and autumn, with the highest prevalence being 95%. Atypical lesions seen in winter and spring were suggestive of clinical resolution. PSD holds important implications for both trout aquaculture and still water trout fisheries. This case definition will aid future diagnosis, help avoid confusion with other skin conditions and promote prompt and consistent reporting.

Recovery of Hafnia alvei from diseased brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and healthy noble crayfish, Astacus astacus (L.), in Bulgaria

Hafnia alvei was isolated in Bulgaria from healthy noble crayfish, Astacus astacus (L.), and then from farmed diseased brown trout, Salmo trutta L., with signs of haemorrhagic septicaemia. The isolates were identified initially with conventional phenotyping and commercial Merlin Micronaut and API 20E rapid identification systems, followed by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Hafnia alvei Bt1, Bt2 and Aa4 were of low virulence to rainbow trout and brown trout, although cytotoxicity was demonstrated by Bt1 and Bt2, but not by Aa4.

Differential characterization of emerging skin diseases of rainbow trout--a standardized approach to capturing disease characteristics and development of case definitions

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.

Systemic nocardiosis in a Mediterranean population of cultured meagre, Argyrosomus regius Asso (Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

Marine cultured meagre, Argyrosomus regius Asso, in central and western Greece were affected by an outbreak of systemic granulomatous disease subsequently demonstrated to be nocardiosis. The fish were originally imported as juveniles from hatcheries in France and Italy and on-grown in Greece, the latter also providing broodstock for a small number of local Greek hatcheries for the production of second-generation juveniles. The disease in cage reared fish had been present throughout the year, particularly in the 1+ and 2+ year old fish with a low to variable morbidity and 1-4% total mortality. Multiple lesions were visible externally on the skin of affected fish, with severe ulcerations and necrosis. Internally, multifocal yellowish-white nodules, 0.1-0.5 cm in diameter, were visible on the surface of several internal organs. Histopathology revealed systemic granulomatous inflammation. Fite-Faraco staining clearly demonstrated the presence of Nocardia-like organisms which were Gram-positive, long, rod to beaded filamentous bacteria. Nocardia genus-specific 16s RNA primers NG1 and NG2 were used to generate a 600 bp fragment recovered from affected tissue, confirming the diagnosis of Nocardia spp. To our knowledge, this is the first report of nocardiosis in meagre.

Intraspecific diversity of Edwardsiella ictaluri isolates from diseased freshwater catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage), cultured in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

A molecular epidemiology study was conducted on 90 Edwardsiella ictaluri isolates recovered from diseased farmed freshwater catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, cultured in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Thirteen isolates of E. ictaluri derived from diseased channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, cultured in the USA were included for comparison. All the E.ictaluri isolates tested were found to be biochemically indistinguishable. A repetitive (rep)-PCR using the single (GTG)(5) primer was shown to possess limited discriminatory power, yielding two similar DNA profiles categorized as (GTG)(5) -PCR group 1 or 2 among the Vietnam isolates and (GTG)(5) -PCR group 1 within the USA isolates. Macrorestriction analysis identified 14 and 22 unique pulsotypes by XbaI and SpeI, respectively, among a subset of 59 E. ictaluri isolates. Numerical analysis of the combined macrorestriction profiles revealed three main groups: a distinct cluster formed exclusively of the USA isolates, and a major and minor cluster with outliers contained the Vietnam isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility and plasmid profiling supported the existence of the three groups. The results indicate that macrorestriction analysis may be regarded as a suitable typing method among the E. ictaluri species of limited intraspecific diversity. Furthermore, the findings suggest that E. ictaluri originating from Vietnam may constitute a distinct genetic group.

Experimental challenge studies in Vietnamese catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage), exposed to Edwardsiella ictaluri and Aeromonas hydrophila

The two main diseases in the pangasius catfish industry are bacillary necrosis of Pangasianodon (BNP) and motile aeromonas septicaemia (MAS), where the aetiological agents have been identified as Edwardsiella ictaluri and Aeromonas hydrophila, respectively. In this study, apparently healthy Pangasianodon hypophthalmus were exposed to E. ictaluri, A. hydrophila or both bacterial species by intraperitoneal injection or immersion. There were 20 fish per treatment group, and the bacterial isolates used for the study were recovered from natural infections of BNP or MAS in farmed Vietnamese P. hypophthalmus. The results of the experimental infections mimicked the natural disease outbreaks reported from these pathogens in P. hypophthalmus. Furthermore, it was clearly demonstrated that E. ictaluri was only recovered from the fish exposed to the bacterium and not recovered from the animals receiving A. hydrophila.

A study of gross, histological and blood biochemical changes in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), with rainbow trout gastroenteritis (RTGE)

The mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of rainbow trout gastroenteritis (RTGE) are still unknown. This study examined the macroscopic and microscopic changes in trout with RTGE (RTGE+), as well as the blood chemistry. A total of 464 rainbow trout were sampled from 11 sites in the UK, comprising 152 RTGE+ fish and 330 random, apparently healthy fish. A case definition for RTGE was assessed by the analysis of its agreement with three laboratory tests: histopathology, packed cell volume and kidney bacteriology. Cluster analysis indicated the presence of three distinct presentations within the population of RTGE+ fish. Cluster A included gross signs associated with moribund RTGE+ fish, and clusters B and C identified gross signs consistent with concurrent diseases, notably furunculosis, enteric redmouth and proliferative kidney disease. The information gained was used to select RTGE+ fish without concurrent disease for the analysis of RTGE pathogenesis with blood biochemistry. This analysis revealed a severe osmotic imbalance and a reduced albumin/globulin ratio as indicatives of selective loss of albumin. These findings are compatible with a protein losing enteropathy.

A comparative molecular study of the presence of "Candidatus arthromitus" in the digestive system of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), healthy and affected with rainbow trout gastroenteritis

Observations were made using histopathological techniques in conjunction with a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for the specific detection of "Candidatus arthromitus" on DNA extracted from wax-embedded tissues and fresh digestive contents of rainbow trout. Samples positive for "Candidatus arthromitus" DNA included fish with rainbow trout gastroenteritis (RTGE), clinically normal cohabiting fish, and apparently healthy controls from RTGE positive and RTGE negative sites. The results obtained from the PCR were confirmed by nucleotide sequencing. "Candidatus arthromitus" DNA was found in distal intestine as well as in sections of pyloric caeca, suggesting that both these locations are appropriate for molecular detection of "Candidatus arthromitus" DNA in trout. Furthermore, rainbow trout fry distal intestinal samples from two different hatcheries where RTGE had not been reported were also positive. Differences in "Candidatus arthromitus" DNA detection between paraffin wax-embedded and fresh digestive content samples from the same fish suggested that it may be predominantly epithelium-associated in healthy trout. Parallel histopathological observations indicated that pyloric caeca are the preferred site for visualizing segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) in trout with RTGE. The results of this study showed that the presence of SFB was not invariably associated with clinical disease and that more information is required to understand the role of these organisms.

Histopathology and ultrastructure of segmented filamentous bacteria-associated rainbow trout gastroenteritis

Rainbow trout gastroenteritis (RTGE) is an emerging syndrome linked to the presence of large numbers of the segmented filamentous bacterium "Candidatus arthromitus" within the intestine. The present study examined the histopathological changes of the digestive tract of 152 trout with gross lesions typical of RTGE. Histopathology showed that 129 of 152 fish (85%) affected with RTGE had segmented filamentous bacteria in the distal intestine and/or pyloric caeca. The presence and number of segmented filamentous bacteria were always significantly higher (P < .001) in pyloric caeca, thereby suggesting the preferred site for these bacteria. Histopathological changes included enterocyte detachment and congestion of the lamina propria and adventitial layers. Samples from 6 RTGE-affected trout were examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, revealing a close interaction of segmented filamentous bacteria with the mucosa of distal intestine and pyloric caeca, with the presence of bacterial attachment sites, and with associated morphological changes of the apical membrane of enterocytes. Despite these interactions, segmented filamentous bacteria were not always adjacent to the areas with pathological changes, suggesting that if these organisms play a role in the pathogenesis of RTGE, extracellular products may be involved. Ultrastructural changes included loss of microvillar structure, membrane blebbing, hydropic mitochondrial damage, and basal hydropic degeneration of enterocytes, which frequently resulted in disruption of tight junctions and enterocyte detachment. The resulting exposure of large areas of lamina propria probably resulted in the compromise of the host osmotic balance and the facilitation of the entry of secondary pathogens.

Detection of the bacterium Flavobacterium psychrophilum from a natural infection in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), using formalin-fixed, wax-embedded fish tissues

The bacterial pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum was successfully identified from formalin-fixed, wax-embedded tissue blocks of infected rainbow trout heart and spleen tissues, using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay. Filamentous bacteria were observed in haematoxylin and eosin and Giemsa-stained sections but no bacteria were recovered from the diseased fish using standard bacteriology isolation techniques. All infected fish had histopathological evidence of myocarditis or rainbow trout fry syndrome. Immunohistochemistry was attempted using three different anti-F. psychrophilum sera but the results were inconclusive, and an alternative molecular approach was therefore attempted. This paper describes the use of a PCR-based assay to help identify bacteria present in formalin-fixed, wax-embedded tissue samples. This is the first time that this technique has been used for the detection of fish bacteria from diagnostic samples.