Fish: serologic evidence of infection with human pathogens

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Aquatic toxicology
• Public health microbiology

Background:

• Chesapeake Bay is a vital ecosystem supporting diverse aquatic life.
• Human population density influences water quality through various discharge pathways.
• Fish can act as reservoirs or indicators of waterborne pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence of antibodies to human pathogenic bacteria in white perch (Morone americana).
• To determine if water contamination levels, indicated by human population density, correlate with pathogen exposure in fish.
• To assess the potential public health implications of human pathogen presence in fish populations.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples were collected from white perch inhabiting surface waters of Chesapeake Bay.
• Fish were sampled from areas with high and low adjacent human population densities.
• Antibody presence against specific human pathogenic bacteria was detected using serological assays.

Main Results:

• Specific antibodies to several human pathogenic bacteria were identified in white perch serums from heavily populated areas.
• White perch from sparsely populated areas adjacent to the bay were found to be free of these specific antibodies.
• A clear correlation was observed between proximity to populated areas and the presence of antibodies indicating pathogen exposure.

Conclusions:

• Exposure to contaminated surface waters in populated regions of Chesapeake Bay leads to the presence of antibodies in white perch.
• White perch may become actively infected with human pathogens through environmental exposure.
• These findings suggest that fish in contaminated waters could represent a potential public health hazard.