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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #427279
Research Project: Maximizing Profitability and Fish Health in Catfish Aquaculture

Location: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

Title: Development of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of the aetiological agents of piscine lactococcosis

Author
item SHAHIN, KHALID - University Of California, Davis
item MUKKATIRA, KAVERAMMA - California Department Of Fish & Game
item YAZDI, ZEINAB - University Of California, Davis
item RICHEY, CHRISTINE - California Department Of Fish & Game
item KWAK, KEVIN - California Department Of Fish & Game
item HECKMAN, TAYLOR I - University Of California, Davis
item MOHAMMED, HAITHAM - Assiut University
item ORTEGA, CESAR - Universidad Autónoma De Guerrero
item AVENDAÑO-HERRERA, RUBEN - Universidad Andres Bello (UNAB)
item KELEHER, BILL - Kennebec River Biosciences
item HYATT, MICHAEL - Wildlife Conservation Society
item DRENNAN, JOHN - Colorado Parks And Wildlife
item ADKISON, MARK - California Department Of Fish & Game
item GRIFFI9N, MATT - Mississippi State University
item SOTO, ESTEBAN - University Of California, Davis

Submitted to: Journal of Fish Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/4/2022
Publication Date: 3/20/2022
Citation: 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.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13610

Interpretive Summary: This study focuses on the development of a highly sensitive and specific TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for the detection of Lactococcus petauri and Lactococcus garvieae, the causative agents of piscine lactococcosis, a bacterial disease responsible for significant economic losses in aquaculture. Early and accurate detection of these pathogens is crucial for managing the disease effectively.The assay was validated using DNA from previously identified strains of L. petauri and L. garvieae from various aquatic hosts, as well as closely related bacteria and common pathogens found in trout aquaculture. The assay demonstrated high specificity, with no cross-reactivity from non-target pathogens. It was also tested for its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, screening fish, water, and faecal samples, and showed excellent performance in detecting these pathogens in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) kidney and environmental samples. Overall, this qPCR assay offers a rapid, reliable, and precise method for diagnosing piscine lactococcosis, facilitating early detection and the implementation of effective control measures in multiple fish species including catfish. Rapid diagnostic assays will facilitate the development of control measures to mitigate the impact of this emergent disease.

Technical Abstract: This study focuses on the development of a highly sensitive and specific TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for the detection of Lactococcus petauri and Lactococcus garvieae, the causative agents of piscine lactococcosis, a bacterial disease responsible for significant economic losses in aquaculture. Early and accurate detection of these pathogens is crucial for managing the disease effectively.The assay was validated using DNA from previously identified strains of L. petauri and L. garvieae from various aquatic hosts, as well as closely related bacteria and common pathogens found in trout aquaculture. The assay demonstrated high specificity, with no cross-reactivity from non-target pathogens. It was also tested for its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, screening fish, water, and faecal samples, and showed excellent performance in detecting these pathogens in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) kidney and environmental samples. Overall, this qPCR assay offers a rapid, reliable, and precise method for diagnosing piscine lactococcosis, facilitating early detection and the implementation of effective control measures in both fish farms and aquaria, ultimately helping to mitigate the impacts of this emerging disease.