6533b7d8fe1ef96bd126b5b8

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Biochemical and toxigenic properties of Vibrio furnissii isolated from a European eel farm

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Abstract The present study describes for the first time the isolation of Vibrio furnissii strains from a European eel culture system which are pathogenic for eels ( Anguilla anguilla ) (LD 50 dose, 10 6 cfu/fish). Biochemical characterization of the isolates was performed by API 20E system and by classical numerical taxonomy. Growth at 4 °C, and with 6–8% (w/v) NaCl in a broth medium were necessary to differentiate Vibrio furnissii from Aeromonas species when the API 20E system was used. Virulence for eels of V. furnissii isolates was demonstrated by intraperitoneal injection of living cells. The extracellular products (ECPs) produced by V. furnissii were lethal to elvers and induced some of the pathological signs observed in the experimental infections so they could play a role in the pathogenicity of this species for fish. These ECPs displayed proteasic and haemolytic activities as well as cytotoxic effects on homoiothermic and fish cells lines which were inactivated after heating. Overall results show that Vibrio furnissii is a potential pathogen of European eel.