Research Project: Maximizing Profitability and Fish Health in Catfish Aquaculture

Location: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Autochthonous probiotic Lactococcus lactis MA5 improves recovery from acute hypoxia stress and resistance to Edwardsiella ictaluri in hybrid catfish (Ictalurus punctatus × I. furcatus) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Huang, J., Older, C.E., Heckman, T.I., Jordan, H.R., Griffin, M.J., Allen, .J., Reifers, J.G., Goodman, P.M., Yamamoto, F.Y. 2026. Autochthonous probiotic Lactococcus lactis MA5 improves recovery from acute hypoxia stress and resistance to Edwardsiella ictaluri in hybrid catfish (Ictalurus punctatus × I. furcatus). Fish and Shellfish Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2026.111544.

Genomic Analysis of an Erysipelothrix tonsillarum Isolate from Orcinus orca Indicates Conservation of Major Erysipelothrix Virulence Factors - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bumgarner, J.D., Scala, C., Older, C.E., Li, G., Yoon, K., Derscheid, R., Soto, E., Heckman, T.I. 2026. Genomic Analysis of an Erysipelothrix tonsillarum Isolate from Orcinus orca Indicates Conservation of Major Erysipelothrix Virulence Factors. Veterinary Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2026.111065.

Functional benefits of soy lecithin supplementation in feeds for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) juveniles: Impacts on production performance, intestinal health, and disease resistance - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Conde, C.L., Silvia, V.F., De Sena Farias, A., Santana, T.M., Huang, J., Older, C.E., Griffin, M.J., Allen, P.J., Yamamoto, F.Y. 2026. Functional benefits of soy lecithin supplementation in feeds for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) juveniles: Impacts on production performance, intestinal health, and disease resistance. Aquaculture. 621:744014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2026.744014.

Trends in antibiotic use and susceptibility of Edwardsiella ictaluri: an 18-year retrospective from the "Delta" region of western Mississippi - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sowlat, M., Khoo, L.H., Richardson, B.M., Lewis, M.A., Steadman, J.M., Ware, C.C., Rose, D., Yamamoto, F.Y., Wise, D.J., Griffin, M.J. 2026. Trends in antibiotic use and susceptibility of Edwardsiella ictaluri: an 18-year retrospective from the "Delta" region of western Mississippi. North American Journal of Aquaculture. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1093/naaqua/vrag013.

Effects of temperature on the marsh ram's horn snail Planorbella trivolvis and the ghost ram's horn snail biomphalaria havanensis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mischke, C.C., Richardson, B.M., Wood, M.L., Tiwari, A. 2026. Effects of temperature on the marsh ram's horn snail Planorbella trivolvis and the ghost ram's horn snail biomphalaria havanensis. North American Journal of Aquaculture. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1093/naaqua/vrag005.

Zooplankton feeding habits of channel catfish and hybrid catfish fry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mischke, C.C., Richardson, B.M. 2026. Zooplankton feeding habits of channel catfish and hybrid catfish fry. North American Journal of Aquaculture. 88:3 294-205. https://doi.org/10.1093/naaqua/vrag008.

Investigating the supplementation of Lactococcus lactis MA5 as an autochthonous probiotic in diets for hybrid catfish Ictalurus punctatus × I. furcatus: effects on growth performance, immune modulation, and disease resistance - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Huang, J., Older, C.E., Heckman, T.I., Silva, V.F., Jordan, H., Griffin, M.J., Allen, P.J., Yamamoto, F.Y. 2026. Investigating the supplementation of Lactococcus lactis MA5 as an autochthonous probiotic in diets for hybrid catfish Ictalurus punctatus × I. furcatus: effects on growth performance, immune modulation, and disease resistance. Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-026-10930-1.

Use of Shotgun Immunoproteomics for the Development of Protein Vaccines against Edwardsiella piscicida - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Jacobsen, K.L., Griffin, M., Phinney, B.S., Salemi, M., Yazdi, Z., Balami, S., Older, C.E., Ware, C.C., Yamamoto, F.Y., Ui-Huda, N., Rodriguez-Ramos, T., Dixon, B., Ma, J., Lafrentz, B.R., Soto, E. 2025. Use of Shotgun Immunoproteomics for the Development of Protein Vaccines against Edwardsiella piscicida. Fish and Shellfish Immunology. 168:110992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2025.110992.

Harvesting zooplankton with submersible pumps increases chlorophyta density and reduces cyanophyta and zooplankton population variability - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mischke, C.C., Richardson, B.M., Yamamoto, F.Y., Goodman, P.M., Tiwari, A., Wood, M.L. 2025. Harvesting zooplankton with submersible pumps increases chlorophyta density and reduces cyanophyta and zooplankton population variability. North American Journal of Aquaculture. 88(1)49-63. https://doi.org/10.1093/naaqua/vraf028.

Complete Genome of Lactococcus lactis Isolate S11-599 from the Brain of a Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Huda, N., Older, C.E., Ware, C., Heckman, T.I., Marancik, D.P., Khoo, L.H., Griffin, M.J. 2025. Complete Genome of Lactococcus lactis Isolate S11-599 from the Brain of a Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). . 14 (10). https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00503-25.

Dietary inclusion of frass from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae modulates gut microbiota without compromising the growth performance and health status of catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) juveniles - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
De Senha Farias, A., Santana, T.M., Silvia, V.F., Older, C.E., Conde, C.L., Romano, N.P., Gatlin Iii, D.M., Goncalves, L.U., Yamamoto, F.Y. 2025. Dietary inclusion of frass from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae modulates gut microbiota without compromising the growth performance and health status of catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) juveniles. Aquaculture. 51(137). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-025-01552-5.

Massive branchial henneguyosis of catfish: A distinct, myxozoan-induced gill disease caused by severe interlamellar Henneguya exilis infection in catfish aquaculture - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Stilwell, J.M., Griffin, M.J., Leary, J.H., Khoo, L.H., Camus, A.C. 2024. Massive branchial henneguyosis of catfish: A distinct, myxozoan-induced gill disease caused by severe interlamellar Henneguya exilis infection in catfish aquaculture. Veterinary Pathology. 61(6)965-972. https://doi.org/10.1177/03009858241259181.

Coinfection of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) with virulent Aeromonas hydrophila and Flavobacterium covae exacerbates mortality - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wise, A.L., Lafrentz, B.R., Kelly, A.M., Liles, M.R., Griffin, M.J., Beck, B.H., Bruce, T.J. 2024. Coinfection of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) with virulent Aeromonas hydrophila and Flavobacterium covae exacerbates mortality. Journal of Fish Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13912.

Species-specific in situ hybridization confirms arrested development of Henneguya ictaluri in hybrid catfish (Channel Catfish × Blue Catfish) under experimental conditions, with notes on mixed-species infections in... - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Stilwell, J.M., Camus, A.C., Woodyard, E.T., Ware, C., Rosser, T.G., Gunn, M.A., Lopez-Porras, A., Khoo, L.H., Wise, D.J., Griffin, M.J. 2023. Species-specific in situ hybridization confirms arrested development of Henneguya ictaluri in hybrid catfish (Channel Catfish × Blue Catfish) under experimental conditions, with notes on mixed-species infections in.... Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 35(4)223-237. , https://doi.org/10.1002/aah.10196.

Ultraviolet light differentially reduces viability of fish- and fish farm-associated flavobacteria (families Flavobacteriaceae and Weeksellaceae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Knupp, C., Faisal, M., Brenden, T., Soto, E., Lafrentz, B.R., Griffins, M.J., Wiens, G.D., Cavender, W., Van Vliet, D., Loch, T. 2023. Ultraviolet light differentially reduces viability of fish- and fish farm-associated flavobacteria (families Flavobacteriaceae and Weeksellaceae). North American Journal of Aquaculture. 85(4)311-323. https://doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10300.

The Infection Dynamics of Experimental Edwardsiella ictaluri and Flavobacterium covae Coinfection in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wise, A.L., Lafrentz, B.R., Kely, A.M., Liles, M.R., Griffin, M.J., Beck, B.H., Bruce, T.J. 2023. The Infection Dynamics of Experimental Edwardsiella ictaluri and Flavobacterium covae Coinfection in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Pathogens. 12(3)462. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12030462.

Evaluation of Edwardsiella piscicida basS and basR mutants as vaccine candidates in catfish against edwardsiellosis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sayed, M., Griffin, M., Ware, C., Ozdemir, O., Tekedar, H.C., Essa, M., Karsi, A., Lawrence, M.L., Abdelhamed, H. 2022. Evaluation of Edwardsiella piscicida basS and basR mutants as vaccine candidates in catfish against edwardsiellosis. Journal of Fish Diseases. 45(12)1817-1829. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13703.

Experimental elucidation of the life cycle of Drepanocephalus spathans (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) with notes on the morphological plasticity of D. spathans in the United States - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Alberson, N.R., Rosser, T.G., Woodyard, E.T., Khoo, L.H., Baumgartner, W.A., Pote, L.M. 2022. Experimental elucidation of the life cycle of Drepanocephalus spathans (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) with notes on the morphological plasticity of D. spathans in the United States. Journal of Parasitology. 108(2)141-158. https://doi.org/10.1645/19-157.

Development of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of the aetiological agents of piscine lactococcosis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shahin, K., Mukkatira, K., Yazdi, Z., Richey, C., Kwak, K., Heckman, T., Mohammed, H.H., Ortega, C., Avendaño-Herrera, R., Keleher, B., Hyatt, M.W., Drennan, J.D., Adkison, M., Griffi9n, M.J., Soto, E. 2022. Development of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of the aetiological agents of piscine lactococcosis. Journal of Fish Diseases. 45(6)847-859. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13610.

Genetic characterization of heterologous edwardsiella piscicida isolates from diverse fish hosts and virulence assessment in a chinook salmon oncorhynchus tshawytscha model - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Nguyen, D.T., Lopez-Porras, A., Maranick, D., Hawkins, L., Welch, T.J., Petty, B.D., Ware, C., Griffin, M.J., Soto, E. 2021. Genetic characterization of heterologous Edwardsiella piscicida isolates from diverse fish hosts and virulence assessment in a Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha model. Journal of Fish Diseases. 44(12):1959-1970. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13509.

Characterisation of myxozoan fauna of western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis (Baird and Gerard 1853) (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae), inhabiting experimental catfish ponds in Mississippi, USA - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Stilwell, J.M., Rosser, T.G., Woodyard, E.T., Richardson, B.M., Lopez-Porras, A., Leary, J.H., Mischke, C.C., Camus, A.C., Griffin, M.J. 2021. Characterisation of myxozoan fauna of western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis (Baird and Gerard 1853) (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae), inhabiting experimental catfish ponds in Mississippi, USA. Systematic Parasitology. 98 423-441. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11230-021-09987-z.

Comparative Mortality of Juvenile Channel and Hybrid Catfish Exposed to Bolbophorus damnificus Cercariae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gunn, M.A., Allen, P.J., Rosser, G.T., Wise, D.J., Griffin, M.J. 2021. Comparative Mortality of Juvenile Channel and Hybrid Catfish Exposed to Bolbophorus damnificus Cercariae. North American Journal of Aquaculture. 83(4)346-353. https://doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10202.

Assessment of Bolbophorus damnificus prevalence and cercariae shedding in Planorbella trivolvis populations in catfish aquaculture ponds - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gunn, M.A., Allen, P.J., Rosser, T.G., Wise, D.J., Griffin, M.J. 2020. Assessment of Bolbophorus damnificus prevalence and cercariae shedding in Planorbella trivolvis populations in catfish aquaculture ponds. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 52(2)395-404. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12756.

Virulence and immunogenicity of blue catfish alloherpesvirus in channel, blue and blue × channel hybrid catfish - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Arun, V., Griffin, M.J., Wise, D.J., White, D., Ford, L., Lopez-Porras, A., Camus, A.C., Hanson, L.A. 2020. Virulence and immunogenicity of blue catfish alloherpesvirus in channel, blue and blue × channel hybrid catfish. Journal of Fish Diseases. 51(3)740-749. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12696.

Cross-protective potential of a live, attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri, vaccine against Edwardsiella piscicida in channel (Ictalurus punctatus) and channel x blue (Ictalurus furcatus) hybrid catfish - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Griffin, M.J., Greenway, T.E., Byars, T.S., Ware, C., Aarattuthodiyil, S., Kumar, G., Wise, D.J., Waldbieser, G.C. 2020. Cross-protective potential of a live, attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri, vaccine against Edwardsiella piscicida in channel (Ictalurus punctatus) and channel x blue (Ictalurus furcatus) hybrid catfish. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 51(3)740-749. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12696.

Insights into myxozoan composition and physiology revealed by histochemical properties of myxospores - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Stilwell, J.M., Griffin, M.J., Rosser, T.G., Mohammed, H.H., Sidor, I.F., Camus, A.C. 2020. Insights into myxozoan composition and physiology revealed by histochemical properties of myxospores. Journal of Fish Diseases. 43(5)583-597. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13152.

An orally delivered, live-attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri vaccine efficiently protects channel catfish fingerlings against multiple Edwardsiella ictaluri field isolates - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Aarattuthodiyil, S., Griffin, M.J., Greenway, T.E., Khoo, L.H., Byars, T.S., Lewis, M., Steadman, J., Wise, D.J. 2020. An orally delivered, live-attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri vaccine efficiently protects channel catfish fingerlings against multiple Edwardsiella ictaluri field isolates. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 51(6)1354-1372. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12693.

Economic assessment of commercial-scale Edwardsiella ictaluri vaccine trials in U.S. catfish industry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kumar, G., Byars, T.S., Greenway, T.E., Aarattuthodiyil, S., Khoo, L.H., Griffin, M.J., Wise, D.J. 2019. Economic assessment of commercial-scale Edwardsiella ictaluri vaccine trials in U.S. catfish industry. Aquaculture Economics & Management. 23(3)254-275. https://doi.org/10.1080/13657305.2019.1632392.

Molecular confirmation of Henneguya adiposa and associated histologic changes in adipose fins of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Stilwell, J.M., Camus, A.C., Leary, J.H., Mohammed, H.H., Griffin, M.J. 2019. Molecular confirmation of Henneguya adiposa and associated histologic changes in adipose fins of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Parasitology Research. 118 1639-2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-019-06295-w.

First detection of erysipelothrix sp. infection in western mosquitofish gambusia affinis inhabiting catfish aquaculture ponds in Mississippi, USA - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Stilwell, J.M., Griffin, M.J., Rosser, T.G., Leary, J.H., Hagen-Frei, K., Pomaransk, E.K., Soto, E., Camus, A.C. 2019. First detection of erysipelothrix sp. infection in western mosquitofish gambusia affinis inhabiting catfish aquaculture ponds in Mississippi, USA. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 133:39-46. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03332.