C. Hauton et al., The effects of salinity on the interaction between a pathogen (Listonella anguillarum) and components of a host (Ostrea edulis) immune system, COMP BIOC B, 127(2), 2000, pp. 203-212
Citations number
44
Categorie Soggetti
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Journal title
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Data are presented from a study to determine how salinity may modulate the
interactions between an opportunistic bacterial pathogen Listonella anguill
arum and the immune system of a bivalve host, the European flat oyster Ostr
ea edulis. Oysters were acclimated to three salinity regimes (32, 25 and 16
parts per thousand, at 15 degrees C) for 7 days within the laboratory and
were then inoculated with a sub-lethal dose of live L. anguillarum. Forty-e
ight hours after inoculation measurements were made of the changes in haemo
cyte composition, haemolymph hydrogen peroxide concentration and haemolymph
lysozyme activity to provide information on both the cellular and humoral
components of the immune system. The data indicated that in the majority of
cases the effects on the immune system were dose dependent. At 32 parts pe
r thousand, a salinity which promoted the growth of the bacterial inoculate
, there was a significant increase in the number of circulating large granu
locytes and a significant decrease in the haemolymph hydrogen peroxide conc
entration. At lower salinities, which were less favourable to the growth of
L. anguillarum, there were no significant immune system effects. The data
highlight the potential for environment management as a tool in controlling
opportunistic pathogens and subsequently disease in commercially important
bivalve species. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.