Abstract
Bacterial cold-water disease (BCWD) caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum leads to heavy mortality of ayu Plecoglossus altivelis in Japan. Previously, a 28°C warmed water treatment was shown to be an effective treatment for BCWD, since F. psychrophilum can not grow and maintain colonies at this temperature. However, it was unclear whether the bacteria might resuscitate after the treatment was over. Therefore, we investigated colony formation, membrane potential and pathogenicity of F. psychrophilum at various temperatures (15°C, 23°C, 28°C and 33°C) in sterilized underground water. Within 2 days at 28°C, F. psychrophilum completely lost their colony-forming abilities but still maintained their membrane potentials. It seemed that these cells entered into viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state. However, experimental ayu infection revealed that VBNC F. psychrophilum cells were unable to cause BCWD, suggesting that the cells were progressing towards death at 28°C.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
