Studies on edwardsiellosis in some marine fishes using molecular diagnosis at Suez bay

Abstract EN

A total of 240 marine fishes Mugil cephalus, Rastrelliger kanagurta and Nemipterus japonicas were randomly collected from Attaka fishing port, Suez-bay, Suez Governorate (60 in each winter and fall and 120 in spring).The infected fishes showed hemorrhages all over the body surface including gills cover and fins, scales detachment accompanied by slight swelling of abdomen.

Isolation was done from gills, liver, kidneys and intestines using Tryptone Soya Agar medium and X.L.D medium.

Morphological and biochemical identification of bacterial isolates revealed three different isolates of Edwardsiella tarda (A, B and C).

Their diagnosis was confirmed using Microbact 24E and 16S RNA gene for PCR.

Their virulence was differentiated by H2S, Indole, Catalase test and haemolysis on blood agar (α, β and γ).

The total prevalence of E.

tarda isolates was (9.6%) among all examined marine fishes while seasonal prevalence was (15%) in spring, (3.3%) in winter and (5%) in fall