Characterization and Relatedness of Marine Vibrios Pathogenic to Fish: Physiology, Serology, and Epidemiology

Abstract

Cultural characteristics and serological relationships of pathogenic marine vibrios isolated from fish in the Pacific Northwest were studied. These organisms were compared with cultures of Vibrio anguillarum , a known fish pathogen. On the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics, the Pacific Northwest strains of Vibrio were found to be closely related to V. anguillarum . Serological analyses of thermostable antigens served to distinguish three serotypes among the vibrios. Serotype 1 was composed of organisms isolated from Northwest salmonids; serotype 2 of strains of V. anguillarum from European waters; and serotype 3 of organisms isolated from Pacific herring. The epidemiology of vibrio disease among populations of fish in the Pacific Northwest is discussed.