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Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS
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Identification of a bacterial pathogen associated with Porites white patch syndrome in the Western Indian Ocean

Mathieu G Séré1,2,3, Pablo Tortosa4, Pascale Chabanet3

  • 1Agence pour la Recherche et la Valorisation Marines (ARVAM), Ste Clotilde, Reunion Island, France.

Molecular Ecology
|July 22, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Porites white patch syndrome (PWPS) is caused by the bacterium Vibrio tubiashii. This coral disease is temperature-dependent, with increased severity at higher temperatures.

Area of Science:

  • Marine biology
  • Coral reef ecology
  • Pathogen identification

Background:

  • Porites white patch syndrome (PWPS) is an emerging coral disease in the Western Indian Ocean.
  • Understanding the causative agents of coral diseases is crucial for reef conservation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and identify the pathogen responsible for PWPS.
  • To experimentally confirm the pathogenicity of isolated bacteria.
  • To investigate the influence of temperature on PWPS severity.

Main Methods:

  • Bacterial isolation from diseased and healthy coral tissues.
  • Experimental inoculation of healthy corals with cultured bacterial strains.
  • Fulfillment of Henle-Koch's postulates for pathogen confirmation.
  • Assessment of coral tissue loss at different experimental temperatures (26°C, 28°C, 30°C).

Main Results:

  • A bacterial strain, P180R, closely related to Vibrio tubiashii, was identified as the causative agent of PWPS.
  • Experimental inoculation resulted in a 90% infection rate, and the pathogen was successfully re-isolated.
  • Significantly higher coral tissue loss occurred at 30°C compared to 26°C and 28°C, indicating temperature dependence.

Conclusions:

  • Vibrio tubiashii is confirmed as the pathogen causing Porites white patch syndrome.
  • PWPS is a temperature-dependent coral disease, exacerbated by elevated temperatures.
  • Findings provide critical insights for managing and mitigating PWPS outbreaks in coral reefs.
Keywords:
Porites luteaVibrio tubiashiiWestern Indian Oceancoral diseaseinoculation trials

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