Research Project: Improving Warmwater Finfish Health through Pathogen Characterization, Vaccination, and Natural Feed Additives

Location: Aquatic Animal Health Research

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

Single-cell transcriptome characterization of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) B lymphocyte cell lines - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Aldersey, J., Lange, M.D., Beck, B.H., Abernathy, J.W. 2026. Single-cell transcriptome characterization of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) B lymphocyte cell lines. Comparative Immunology Reports. 11(2026):200302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cirep.2026.200302.

Efficacy of an inactivated bacterin vaccine against emerging Streptococcus dysgalactiae in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Genome sequencing and hybrid assembly of novel Streptococcus dysgalactiae isolates recovered from both juvenile and broodstock channel catfish - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Abernathy, J.W., Shoemaker, C.A., Konvalina, J.D., Garcia, J.C., Bader, T.J., Vulgar, B., Pada Singha, K., Tim, B., Beck, B.H. 2026. Genome sequencing and hybrid assembly of novel Streptococcus dysgalactiae isolates recovered from both juvenile and broodstock channel catfish. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 0:e00473-26. https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00473-26.

Development Of qPCR And ddPCR Assays For Sensitive Detection Of Streptococcus iniae And Application In Studying Infection Dynamics In Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) - (Abstract Only)
Ma, J., Lafrentz, B.R. 2026. Development Of qPCR And ddPCR Assays For Sensitive Detection Of Streptococcus iniae And Application In Studying Infection Dynamics In Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) [ABSTRACT]. 65th Western Fish Disease Workshop 06/01/2026 to 06/05/2026.

Passive immunization with anti-virulent Aeromonas hydrophila whole serum protects channel catfish against Motile Aeromonas Septicemia - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wise, A.L., Beck, B.H., Bader, T.J., Lafrentz, B.R., Barger, P., Shoemaker, C.A. 2026. Passive immunization with anti-virulent Aeromonas hydrophila whole serum protects channel catfish against Motile Aeromonas Septicemia. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 38(3):169-180. https://doi.org/10.1093/jahafs/vsag009.

Hepatic transcriptomics reveals immuno-metabolic interactions in juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) after Aeromonas hydrophila infection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Soku, Y., Lange, M.D., Abernathy, J.W., Sankappa, N.M., Shoemaker, C.A., Hayden, K., Andersen, L.K., Phillips, I., Nashar, T., Samuel, T., Mohamed, A. 2026. Hepatic transcriptomics reveals immuno-metabolic interactions in juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) after Aeromonas hydrophila infection. BMC Genomics. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-026-12988-1.

Emergence, Identification, And Characterization Of A Novel Streptococcus agalactiae CPS Type Ia ST7 Strain (Ia-2021) Causing Large Scale Mortalities In Tilapia Aquaculture - (Abstract Only)
Lafrentz, B.R., Barato, P., Keleher, W.R., Johnston, A.E., Justice, M.E., Abernathy, J.W. 2026. Emergence, Identification, And Characterization Of A Novel Streptococcus agalactiae CPS Type Ia ST7 Strain (Ia-2021) Causing Large Scale Mortalities In Tilapia Aquaculture [ABSTRACT]. Western Fish Disease Workshop, Tacoma, WA, June 3-4, 2026

The Secret Life of Flavobacterium - (Abstract Only)
Lafrentz, B.R., Justice, M.E., Garcia, J.C., Johnston, A.E., Shrestha, N., Lennox, S.M., Loch, T.P. 2026. The Secret Life of Flavobacterium [ABSTRACT]. Western Fish Disease Workshop, Tacoma, WA, June 3-4, 2026

Relative sensitivity of cyanobacteria and green algae to copper exposure: implications for increased treatment efficiency of harmful algal blooms and reducing environmental copper load - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Md. Sayem, A., Andrew, B., Luke, R.A., Anita, K.M., Alan, W., Beck, B.H., Tham, H.C. 2026. Relative sensitivity of cyanobacteria and green algae to copper exposure: implications for increased treatment efficiency of harmful algal blooms and reducing environmental copper load. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. 2026(00):1-13. https://doi.org/10.1093/inteam/vjag082.

Emergence, identification, and characterization of a novel Streptococcus agalactiae CPS type Ia ST7 strain (Ia-2021) causing large scale mortalities in tilapia aquaculture - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lafrentz, B.R., Barato, P., Keleher, W.R., Johnston, A.E., Justice, M.E., Abernathy, J.W. 2026. Emergence, identification, and characterization of a novel Streptococcus agalactiae CPS type Ia ST7 strain (Ia-2021) causing large scale mortalities in tilapia aquaculture. Scientific Reports. 16:20338 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-52208-0.

Genome assemblies of novel Streptococcus dysgalactiae isolates recovered from juvenile and broodstock channel catfish - (Database / Dataset)
Abernathy, J.W., Shoemaker, C.A., Konvalina, J.D., Garcia, J.C., Bader, T.J., Vulgar, B., Pada Singha, K., Bruce, T., Beck, B.H. 2026. Genome assemblies of novel Streptococcus dysgalactiae isolates recovered from juvenile and broodstock channel catfish. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PRJNA1452224.

Impact of flavonoids as functional food additives on the health of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Aksoy, M., Aksoy, J., Ozdemir, Y.E., Beck, B.H., Aksoy, B. 2026. Impact of flavonoids as functional food additives on the health of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Frontiers in Aquaculture. 5(2026). https://doi.org/10.3389/faquc.2026.1814106.

Sensitivity of Cyanobacteria to Herbicides Commonly Used in Aquatic Systems: Implications for Controlling Harmful Algal Blooms - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Barrick, A., Ahmed, S., Ordonez Hinz, F., Wilson, P., Beck, B.H., Hoang, T. 2026. Sensitivity of Cyanobacteria to Herbicides Commonly Used in Aquatic Systems: Implications for Controlling Harmful Algal Blooms. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 2026(45):1681-1692. https://doi.org/10.1093/etojnl/vgag090.

Development Of qPCR And ddPCR Assays For Sensitive Detection Of Streptococcus iniae And Application In Studying Infection Dynamics In Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) - (Abstract Only)
Ma, J., Lafrentz, B.R. 2026. Development Of qPCR And ddPCR Assays For Sensitive Detection Of Streptococcus iniae And Application In Studying Infection Dynamics In Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.). Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop [ABSRACT]. 49th Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop

Innovative method to measure response of cyanobacteria to chemical exposure: implications for harmful algal research and management - (Review Article)
Barrick, A., Watanabe, R., Beck, B.H., Hoang, T. 2026. Innovative method to measure response of cyanobacteria to chemical exposure: implications for harmful algal research and management. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 2026(45):1653-1664. https://doi.org/10.1093/etojnl/vgag074.

Emergence, Identification, And Characterization Of A Novel Streptococcus agalactiae CPS Type Ia ST7 Strain (Ia-2021) Causing Large Scale Mortalities In Tilapia Aquaculture - (Abstract Only)
Lafrentz, B.R., Barato, P., Keleher, W.R., Johnston, A.E., Justice, M.E., Abernathy, J.W. 2026. Emergence, Identification, And Characterization Of A Novel Streptococcus agalactiae CPS Type Ia ST7 Strain (Ia-2021) Causing Large Scale Mortalities In Tilapia Aquaculture. Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop. [ABSTRACT]. Eastern Fish Health Workshop, Chattanooga, TN, March 23-27, 2026.

Viability of probiotic C6-6 in fish feed and ability to inhibit columnaris-causing bacteria in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Maxwell, R., Ma, J., Swearingen, S., Lafrentz, B.R., Cain, K. 2026. Viability of probiotic C6-6 in fish feed and ability to inhibit columnaris-causing bacteria in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 166:dao03916. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03916.

Performance and health status of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) fed inclusions of enzyme-treated and low-oligosaccharide soy proteins - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Semla, J.L., Chiang, C., Ngo, T.H., Davis, D.A., Butts, I.A., Camus, A.C., Lafrentz, B.R., Bruce, T.J. 2026. Performance and health status of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) fed inclusions of enzyme-treated and low-oligosaccharide soy proteins. Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries. 6:e70193. https://doi.org/10.1002/aff2.70193.

An optimized method for efficient conjugal transfer in Flavobacterium covae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lafrentz, S.A., Smith, H., Lafrentz, B.R., Tatum, J., Lange, M.D., Liles, M.R. 2026. An optimized method for efficient conjugal transfer in Flavobacterium covae. Journal of Fish Diseases. 49(7):e70146. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.70146.

Effects of supplemental dietary blend of humic substances and butyric acid plus yeast cell walls on immunity and resistance to bacterial coinfection in juvenile Channel Catfish - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Oladipupo, A.A., Kelly, A.M., Lafrentz, B.R., Davis, D.A., Roy, L.A., Beck, B.H., Bruce, T.J. 2026. Effects of supplemental dietary blend of humic substances and butyric acid plus yeast cell walls on immunity and resistance to bacterial coinfection in juvenile Channel Catfish. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 38(1):37-56. https://doi.org/10.1093/jahafs/vsag002.

Characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae CPS type Ia ST7 - (Database / Dataset)
Lafrentz, B.R., Barato, P., Keleher, W.R., Johnston, A.E., Justice, M.E., Abernathy, J.W. 2025. Characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae CPS type Ia ST7. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PRJNA1373282.

Diuron has no effect on the toxigenic cyanobacterium, Microcystis, relative to two other common algaecides: A field mesocosm experiment - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Le, V., Gladfelter, M.F., Belfiore, A.P., Buley, R.P., Fernandez-Figueroa, E.G., Wilson, A.E. 2026. Diuron has no effect on the toxigenic cyanobacterium, Microcystis, relative to two other common algaecides: A field mesocosm experiment. Aquaculture Reports. 2026(46):103360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2025.103360.

Spermatogenesis, hormonal fluctuations, and testicular gene expression changes in male blue catfish throughout pubescent and early adult stages of development - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Martin, K.A., Bosworth, B.G., Liyange, S.S., Wood, K.R., Abernathy, J.W., Beck, B.H., Bruce, T.A., Roy, L., Dunham, R.A., Butts, I.A. 2025. Spermatogenesis, hormonal fluctuations, and testicular gene expression changes in male blue catfish throughout pubescent and early adult stages of development. BMC Genomics. 26:1126. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-12293-3.

Cryopreservation techniques for blue catfish sperm using 2.5 mL straws - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wood, K.R., Bosworth, B.G., Liyanage, S.S., Nowecki, A., Martin, K.A., Beck, B.H., Abernathy, J.W., Wang, X., Roy, L.A., Butts, I.A. 2025. Cryopreservation techniques for blue catfish sperm using 2.5 mL straws. Cryobiology. 121:105335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2025.105335.

The green convergence: United States lakes are collectively moving toward a eutrophic state - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fernandez-Figueroa, E.G., Rogers, S.R., Waters, M.N., Wilson, A.E. 2024. The green convergence: United States lakes are collectively moving toward a eutrophic state. Harmful Algae. 139: Article 102721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2024.102721.

Particle size-dependent partitioning of phosphorus in aquaculture pond and estuarine systems - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kong, X., Wang, C., Rice, S.E., Radwan, I.M., Martyniuk, C.J., Wilson, A.E., Wang, D. 2025. Particle size-dependent partitioning of phosphorus in aquaculture pond and estuarine systems. Water Research. 287(B):124440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.124440.

Efficacy of orally-delivered virulent Aeromonas hydrophila bacterin vaccines in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wise, A.L., Beck, B.H., Richardson, B.M., Bader, T.J., Peatman, E., Liles, M.R., Barger, P.C., Shoemaker, C.A. 2026. Efficacy of orally-delivered virulent Aeromonas hydrophila bacterin vaccines in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Aquaculture. 611:743066. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.743066.

Influence of trace metal additions on the longevity of algal blooms across a productivity gradient - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gladfelter, M.F., Bela, I.G., Wilson, A.E. 2025. Influence of trace metal additions on the longevity of algal blooms across a productivity gradient. Journal of Phycology. 2025(61):1601-1614. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.70090.

Exploring the Potential of Flavobacterium covae Catalase and DNA Starvation/Stationary Phase Protein as Recombinant Protein Vaccines Against Columnaris Disease in Channel Catfish - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Churchman, E., Lange, M.D., Sankappa, N.M., Quiroz, V., Desilva, A., Justice, M.E., Abernathy, J.W., Liles, M.R. 2025. Exploring the Potential of Flavobacterium covae Catalase and DNA Starvation/Stationary Phase Protein as Recombinant Protein Vaccines Against Columnaris Disease in Channel Catfish. Fish and Shellfish Immunology. 166: Article 110600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2025.110600.

Genome sequencing and hybrid assembly of Edwardsiella ictaluri isolates recovered from various fish species - (Database / Dataset)
Sankappa Muliya, N., Abernathy, J.W., Lange, M.D., Lafrentz, B.R., Shoemaker, C.A. 2025. Genome sequencing and hybrid assembly of Edwardsiella ictaluri isolates recovered from various fish species. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PRJNA1220665.

Success in soy-based ingredients towards fishmeal replacement in cultured largemouth bass - (Popular Publication)
Semla, J.L., Oladipupo, A.A., Butts, I.A., Davis, D.A., Lafrentz, B.R., Bruce, T.J. 2025. Success in soy-based ingredients towards fishmeal replacement in cultured largemouth bass. Fish Farming News. 2025(1):7-8.

Feed Status and Skin Injury Modulate Immunopathology, Global Gene Expression, and Survival in Channel Catfish During Virulent Aeromonas hydrophila Infection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Soku, Y., Lange, M.D., Abernathy, J.W., Sankappa, N., Shoemaker, C.A., Hayden, K., Andersen, L.K., Phillips, I., Nashar, T., Samuel, T., Mohamed, A. 2025. Feed Status and Skin Injury Modulate Immunopathology, Global Gene Expression, and Survival in Channel Catfish During Virulent Aeromonas hydrophila Infection. Frontiers in Immunology. 16(2025): Article 1642531.

Fantastic Flavos – An Introduction to the Special Issue, Flavobacteria: Current status and future directions - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
LaFrentz, B.R., Loch, T.P., Bruce, T.J. Fantastic flavos – an introduction to the special issue, Flavobacteria: current status and future directions. J. Fish Dis., 48: Article e70012. 2025.

A handheld fluorometer evaluates freshwater cyanobacterial blooms across a broad productivity gradient - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Le, V.V., Wilson, A.E. 2025. A handheld fluorometer evaluates freshwater cyanobacterial blooms across a broad productivity gradient. Lake and Reservoir Management. 41(2):104-111. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402381.2025.2484690.

Age-related reproductive performance and transcriptome profiling of testis in male blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus - (Database / Dataset)
Butts, I., Abernathy, J.W., Sankappa, N., Liyanage, S. 2025. Age-related reproductive performance and transcriptome profiling of testis in male blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus. NIH Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) Database. GSE290987.

Copper sulfate treatment harms zooplankton and ultimately promotes algal blooms: A field mesocosm experiment - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Anantapantula, S., Wittenzeller, S., Gladfelter, M.F., Tenison, S.E., Zinnert, H., Belfiore, A.P., Wilson, A.E. 2025. Copper sulfate treatment harms zooplankton and ultimately promotes algal blooms: A field mesocosm experiment. Harmful Algae. 142: Article 102800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2025.102800.

Single-nuclei transcriptome analysis of IGM+ cells isolated from channel catfish spleen - (Database / Dataset)
Aldersey, J., Lange, M.D., Beck, B.H., Abernathy, J.W. 2025. Single-nuclei transcriptome analysis of IGM+ cells isolated from channel catfish spleen. NIH Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) Database. GSE278995.