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Vibrio spp. (Juvenile Vibriosis) of Lobsters

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Category

Category 4 (Negligible Regulatory Significance in Canada)

Common, generally accepted names of the organism or disease agent

Juvenile lobster vibriosis.

Scientific name or taxonomic affiliation

Vibrio anguillarum and Vibrio sp.

Geographic distribution

Vibrio spp. are ubiquitous.

Host species

Homarus americanus. Vibrios are ubiquitous and will affect almost all shellfish species that are under stress including cultured shrimp and prawns as well as hatchery reared molluscs such as oysters, clams, scallops and abalone.

Impact on the host

Lethal. No external signs. Has been detected in cultured lobsters undergoing nutritional stress.

Diagnostic techniques

Histology

Moribund lobsters may exhibit a necrotic hepatopancreas and often have rod shaped bacteria (usually slightly curved) within the tissues.

Culture

Plate haemolymph on Brain Heart Infusion agar made with a 3% NaCl solution. Incubate for 24 hr at 26 °C to give small, circular, raised cream-coloured colonies of Gram-negative motile rods.

Methods of control

No known methods of treatment. Disease probably related to poor husbandry. Avoid stress.

References

Rosemark, R. and W.S. Fisher. 1988. Vibriosis of lobsters. In: C.J. Sindermann and D.V. Lightner (eds.). Disease Diagnosis and Control in North American Aquaculture. Developments in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science 17. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 240-242.

Citation Information

Bower, S.M., McGladdery, S.E., Price, I.M. (1994): Synopsis of Infectious Diseases and Parasites of Commercially Exploited Shellfish: Vibrio spp. (Juvenile Vibriosis) of Lobsters.

Date last revised: Fall 1994
Comments to Susan Bower

Date modified: