Histopathological studies on Vibrio harveyi– infected tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes (Temminck et Schlegel), cultured in Japan

Abstract

Vibrio harveyi infection occurred with a moderate mortality in tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes (Temminck et Schlegel), in autumn 2007, at a mariculture farm in western Japan. The diseased fish showed nodular lesions in the branchial chamber and the inner surface of the operculum. Histopathologically, the lesions comprised granulation tissue containing many suppurative foci allowing propagation of the bacteria and granuloma encapsulating abscesses with a decrease in bacteria. The bacteria were disseminated in visceral organs including the spleen, kidney, liver, and myocardium, resulting in the formation of granulomatous lesions. Two groups of tiger puffer juveniles were artificially infected by an intramuscular injection with an isolate (1.0_10(8) CFU/fish). During the experimental period, 20% mortality occurred within 4-6 days post-infection (d.p.i). The fish sampled on 4 d.p.i showed abscesses in the lateral musculature at the injection site. The fish sampled 5 d.p.i. displayed the production of granulation tissue containing many suppurative foci, which replaced the necrotic dermis and lateral musculature. Surviving fish (15 d.p.i.) had granulomatous lesions in the lateral musculature at the injection site. Pyogranulomatosis is pathognomonic in V. harveyi infection of tiger puffer.