Prevalence of klebsiella pneumoniae associated with mortalities among oreochromis niloticus as a new infection

Abstract EN

The clinical, pathological and bacteriological findings observed in natural outbreaks of Klebsiella pneumonia (K.

pneumonia) in intensively farmed Oreochromis Nilotic us (O.niloticus) fishes in 3 farms located in 3 Districts in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate suffering from slow wasting, fin and tail rot and mortality up to 27.7 % (ten days before farm visits were reported).

The three investigated affected farms, 5 -7 months of age.

Clinical signs were characterized by anorexia, sluggishness, distended abdomen, variously sized areas ofhemorrhages, and tail and / or fin rot, in the examined farms.

Gross lesions were gastro-enteritis, liver and spleen enlargement, lique-faction of the kidney, highly distended gallbladder and ascites.

Bacteriological examination revealed Pneumonia.

Experimental induction of the disease was successful in 50±5 grams O.niloticus fish by immersion, intramuscular and intraperitoneal routes.

Histopathologically alterations of the natural and experimental infections are described.

The antibiogramme of the isolated K.pneumoniae was investigated.

It was concluded that K.pneumoniae is a primary pathogen for O.niloticus fish.

This report is considered the first record of K.pneumoniae infection in O.niloticus fish as a new infection in the scope of fish diseases.