Francisellosis in fish: an emerging challenge
Roger Chong
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory
Biosecurity Queensland
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland
39 Kessels Road
Coopers Plains, Qld 4108, Australia
Tel: +61 7 3276 6045
Fax: +61 7 3216 6620
Email: Roger.Chong@daf.qld.gov.au
Microbiology Australia 37(3) 112-114 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA16038
Published: 10 August 2016
Abstract
Francisellosis is a bacterial disease with increasing economic impacts in the culture of tilapia and Atlantic cod since emerging in 1992. Two main strains – Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno) and F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis (Fnn), have been identified, causing both acute and chronic granulomatous systemic disease. The piscine host range is increasing and Francisella culture should be included in routine diagnosis. Differentiation from the major zoonotic F. tularensis and opportunistic zoonotic F. philomiragia when dealing with environmental soil and water samples from fish farms is important. Diagnosis can be challenging but presentation of granulomatous pathology in fish should require use of cysteine supplemented selective media, culture at 15–28°C or culture in fish cell lines and specific PCR to exclude piscine Fno or Fnn. Control of infections in fish rely on appropriate antibiotic selection although in the long term an effective commercial vaccine that includes the pathogenic species of Francisella is required.
References
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