ARS | Publication request: A PCR ASSAY TO MONITOR CHANNEL CATFISH (ICTALURUS PUNCTATUS) EGGS FOR FLAVOBACTERIUM COLUMNARE

Submitted to: Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 20, 2004
Publication Date: July 10, 2004
Citation: Bader, J.A., Whittington, R., Shoemaker, C.A., Klesius, P.H. 2004. A pcr assay to monitor channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) eggs for Flavobacterium columnare. In proceedings of Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop.

Technical Abstract: A newly developed species specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to determine if Flavobacterium columnare, the causative agent of columnaris disease, was present in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) eggs following spawning. This assay was compared to the standard culture method and was found to be as effective in detecting F. columnare in channel catfish eggs as the more traditional culture method. Flavobacterium columnare was successfully detected, in eggs that were artificially infected and in apparently healthy eggs, collected following spawning. PCR was better than culture at detecting, the bacterium in the naturally exposed samples. Further, PCR was used to show that povidone-iodine was effective in disinfecting egg masses of F. columnare.