Isolation and genetic characterization of Nocardia seriolae from snubnose pompano Trachinotus blochii in Vietnam

Dis Aquat Organ. 2016 Jul 7;120(2):173-7. doi: 10.3354/dao03023.

Abstract

A total of 480 cage-cultured fish were collected from 4 coastal provinces in central Vietnam to investigate the causative agent of nocardiosis. Fish displayed unique characteristics such as paleness and lethargy and exhibited haemorrhages and ulcers on the skin. Prominent white nodules varying in size were observed in the spleen, kidney, and liver. Furthermore, histopathological sections showed typical granulomatous lesions in these organs. Using the Ziehl-Neelsen staining method, isolated bacteria exhibited acid-fast, bead-like filament morphology when cultured in brain-heart infusion medium or Ogawa medium. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA confirmed that the isolated bacterium was Nocardia seriolae. This study demonstrates for the first time an outbreak of N. seriolae in snubnose pompano in central Vietnam.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquaculture
  • Fish Diseases / epidemiology
  • Fish Diseases / microbiology*
  • Fishes
  • Nocardia / genetics*
  • Nocardia / isolation & purification
  • Nocardia Infections / epidemiology
  • Nocardia Infections / microbiology
  • Nocardia Infections / veterinary*
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Vietnam / epidemiology