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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Aquatic Animal Health Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #201028
Title: Identification and Epidemiology of Streptococcus iniae and S. agalactiae in tilapias Oreochromis spp.

Author
item Evans, Joyce
item Klesius, Phillip
item Shoemaker, Craig
item Pasnik, David

Submitted to: International Symposium on Talipia in Aquaculture
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/13/2006
Publication Date: 9/6/2006
Citation: Evans, J.J., Klesius, P.H., Shoemaker, C.A., Pasnik, D.J. 2006. Identification and Epidemiology of Streptococcus iniae and S. agalactiae in tilapias Oreochromis spp. Proceedings 7th International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. September 6-8, 2006. Veracruz, Mexico. p. 25-42.

Interpretive Summary: Despite being known mainly as dolphin, human and cow disease agents, Streptococcus iniae and S. agalactiae have become recognized as emerging pathogens of wild and cultured fish. The worldwide economic impact of S. iniae and S. agalactiae to the aquaculture industry is estimated in hundreds of millions annually. This article will focus on multiple aspects of these pathogens in tilapia Oreochromis spp. and other warm-water fish including global distribution, fish species affected, disease signs, sample collection, transport and storage for successful survival and isolation of the bacteria, identification of bacteria by conventional, automated and molecular diagnostic techniques, antibiotic sensitivities, and environmental influences on disease outbreaks. Overall, this talk will chronicle the road from emergence of these piscine pathogens to detection, understanding, treatment and prevention

Technical Abstract: Despite being known mainly as mammalian disease agents, Streptococcus iniae and S. agalactiae have become recognized as emerging pathogens of wild and cultured fish. The worldwide economic impact of S. iniae and S. agalactiae to the aquaculture industry is estimated in hundreds of millions annually. This article will focus on the epizootiological aspects of these pathogens in tilapia Oreochromis spp. and other warm-water fish including global distribution, fish hosts susceptibility, disease signs, sample collection, transport and storage for successful survival and isolation, identification by conventional, automated and molecular diagnostic techniques, antibiotic sensitivities, and environmental influences on disease susceptibility. Overall, this talk will chronicle the road from emergence of these piscine pathogens to detection, understanding, treatment and prevention (Klesius et al., this proceedings).