AN INDIRECT FLUORESCENT-ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF HEMATODINIUM SP INFECTION OF THE NORWAY LOBSTER NEPHROPS-NORVEGICUS

An indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFAT) has been developed t o detect Hematodinium sp. in the haemolymph and tissues of the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus. The IFAT, being more sensitive and reliab le than previously used field and laboratory diagnostic techniques, de tects both lower-level haemolymph infections as well as previously und iagnosable tissue infections. Low-level haemolymph and organ Hematodin ium sp. infections have been found in apparently uninfected lobsters a t all times of year, including late summer and autumn, when the parasi te was previously thought to be absent from host lobsters. Currently, IFAT is routinely used for laboratory studies and the calibration of f ield diagnostic techniques.