Organization of Summaries

The summary of each infectious disease agent, parasite, or a group of closely related infectious organisms, is organized into nine sections:

1. Category (with respect to current health conditions in Canada)
2. Common, generally accepted names of the organism or disease agent
3. Scientific name or taxonomic affiliation
4. Geographic distribution
5. Host species
6. Impact on the host
7. Diagnostic techniques
8. Methods of control
9. References

When two or more species of closely related infectious agents or parasites within one summary have different geographic distributions, host species, impact on the host(s), diagnostic technique and/or methods of control, applicable sections within that summary were subdivided into a, b, and c. Thus, all similarly lettered subsections within a summary pertain to the same organism(s).

Diagnostic techniques are presented in the following order: Gross Observations, Squash Preparations, Wet Mounts, Whole Mounts, Smears, Histocytology, Tissue Imprints, Histology, Electron Microscopy, Immunological Assay, DNA Probes, Culture, Bioassay,and Digestion. Occasionally, a category called Further Research is included if current research activities are directed towards the development of improved techniques. If techniques are either not applicable to, or not described for, the organism under discussion, no data are provided. Appropriate illustrations for most organisms can often be found in one or more of the key references listed.

Citation Information

Bower, S.M., McGladdery, S.E. (2014): Synopsis of Infectious Diseases and Parasites of Commercially Exploited Shellfish: Abstract.

Date last revised: June 1997
Comments to Susan Bower