Lack of uptake of Renibacterium salmoninarum by gill epithelia of rainbow trout

The role of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) gill cells in upta ke of the salmonid pathogen Renibacterium salmoninarum was examined using i n vitro, whole animal and isolated perfused head models. Uptake of the path ogen was observed only when dissected gill tissue was exposed to the live p athogen. In contrast, live cells of Yersinia ruckeri interacted with the gi ll epithelia in the isolated perfused head model, confirming the findings o f previous studies with whole animal and in vitro systems. These results ar e discussed in relation to the role of gill tissue in bacterial kidney dise ase (BKD) pathogenesis and in antigen trapping. (C) 2000 The Fisheries Soci ety of the British Isles.