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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Leetown, West Virginia » Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #216036

Title: Recent Advances in Bacterial Coldwater Disease Research

Author
item Wiens, Gregory - Greg
item Welch, Timothy - Tim

Submitted to: Trout Talk
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2007
Publication Date: 10/17/2007
Citation: Wiens, G.D., Welch, T.J. 2007. Recent Advances in Bacterial Coldwater Disease Research. Trout Talk Pg 5-6.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A primary objective of the National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture (NCCCWA) is to reduce the negative impact of diseases on rainbow trout culture. One of the diseases we work on is bacterial cold-water disease caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum. This is a chronic disease of rainbow trout that also causes acute losses in young fish, the latter condition is known as rainbow trout fry syndrome. In previous newsletters, we described research to determine the sequence of the bacterium’s DNA and research to selectively breed rainbow trout for improved innate resistance to infection. Here, we summarize disease research progress presented in a recent workshop we helped organize, entitled Flavobacterium 2007 (May 2-4th, National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV). This was the first workshop specifically dedicated to flavobacterial biology with specific emphasis on how these bacteria impact aquaculture. A primary goal of the workshop was to promote interactions between diverse groups of scientists and resource managers as well as to disseminate information arising from completed and ongoing genome sequencing projects. The meeting had nine oral sessions in addition to a poster session and a tour of the National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture. The workshop was attended by over 70 scientists from eight countries. About half of the 45 presentations were focused on F. psychrophilum and bacterial cold water disease of trout and salmon. In this publication, we distill information relevant to trout farmers and highlight future advances that may be significant for industry.