Characteristics and Identification of Pasteurella and Vibrio Species Pathogenic to Fishes using API-20E (Analytab Products) Multitube Test Strips

Abstract

Morphological, cultural, and biochemical characteristics of Pasteurella spp. and Vibrio spp. pathogenic to fishes are investigated. Vibrio anguillarum, V. ordalii, V. alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, an unidentified Vibrio sp. (AN1K), Pasteurella piscicida, and P. multocida were cultured on API-20E multitube test strips (Analytab Products) and in Baumann's marine media with similar results. The API-20E Profile Index was not useful for classification of fish bacteria studied and, using the index. Vibrio sp. AN1K was misidentified as P. multocida. Bacteria studied were also grown on Marine Agar (Difco) and on blood agar at 25 and 37 °C. On blood agar at 37 °C some vibrios resembled pasteurellas as a result of pleomorphism and lack of motility. Simple diagnostic procedures for identifying Pasteurella spp. and Vibrio spp. associated with fishes using the API-20E with modifications are presented.Key words: Pasteurella, Vibrio, characteristics, Analytical Profile Index, fish pathology