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Host-specific association between Flavobacterium columnare genomovars and fish species
Oscar Olivares-Fuster1, Jeffrey L Baker, Jeffery S Terhune
1Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, 203 Swingle Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
Systematic and Applied Microbiology
|August 21, 2007
Summary
This study identified two main groups of Flavobacterium columnare bacteria in wild fish from the Mobile River, Alabama. Genomovar I bacteria were predominantly found in threadfin shad, while Genomovar II bacteria were mainly associated with catfish.
Area of Science:
- Aquatic microbiology
- Fish pathology
- Bacterial genomics
Background:
- Flavobacterium columnare is an important fish pathogen.
- Understanding its genetic diversity and host association is crucial for disease management.
- Previous studies suggest genetic variation within F. columnare populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic diversity of Flavobacterium columnare isolates from wild fish in the Mobile River, Alabama.
- To determine the association of different F. columnare genomovars with specific fish species.
- To confirm the coexistence of F. columnare genomovars in a natural aquatic environment.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of F. columnare from wild fish.
- Genomovar ascription using 16S-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).
- Genotyping using multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA), internal spacer region-single strand conformation polymorphism (ISR-SSCP), and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP).
Main Results:
- Ninety F. columnare isolates were recovered from wild fish.
- Two distinct genomovars (I and II) were identified, confirmed by multiple genotyping methods.
- Genomovar I isolates were significantly associated with threadfin shad.
- Genomovar II isolates were predominantly recovered from catfish (channel and blue catfish) and showed higher genetic diversity.
Conclusions:
- Flavobacterium columnare genomovars I and II coexist in the Mobile River ecosystem.
- There is a significant host association between F. columnare genomovars and specific wild fish species (threadfin shad and catfish).
- Genomovar II exhibits greater genetic diversity compared to genomovar I within this environment.
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