Abstract
Infection with environmental mycobacteria is increasing among many Chesapeake Bay fish species. Prevalence in juvenile Atlantic menhaden differed between tributaries and ranged from 2% to 57%. Mycobacterial infection may be a syndromic sentinel of altered environmental conditions that threaten aquatic animal health.
Highlights
Infection with environmental mycobacteria is increasing among many Chesapeake Bay fish species
Laboratory studies suggest that other bay fish, such as Atlantic menhaden, are susceptible to multiple species of mycobacteria [6] similar to the variety of types isolated from infections in wild striped bass [2,3,4]
Mycobacteriosis in the Chesapeake Bay is a problem of much wider scope than the previously recognized epizootic in striped bass [1]
Summary
Infection with environmental mycobacteria is increasing among many Chesapeake Bay fish species. Sampling and culture of striped bass from locations across the bay have led to the isolation of a number of distinct species of mycobacteria that occur alone or as polyinfections within individual fish [2,3,4]. As with the opportunistic infections associated with human HIV, the key may not be solely the identity of the infecting bacteria Rather, these pathogens may be a portent of more fundamental health disturbances that threaten multiple species within the Chesapeake Bay system. Laboratory studies suggest that other bay fish, such as Atlantic menhaden, are susceptible to multiple species of mycobacteria [6] similar to the variety of types isolated from infections in wild striped bass [2,3,4]. Atlantic menhaden from the Chicamacomico River had a notably higher prevalence of infection (p
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