Inter-Research > DAO > v106 > n1 > p85-91  
DAO
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

via Mailchimp

DAO 106:85-91 (2013)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02631

NOTE
Detection and characterization of Bonamia ostreae in Ostrea edulis imported to China

Chunyan Feng1,2,*, Xiangmei Lin1,*, Fei Wang1, Yongning Zhang1, Jizhou Lv1, Caixia Wang1, Junhua Deng1, Lin Mei1, Shaoqiang Wu1,**, Huailin Li1,**

1Institute of Animal Quarantine, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing 100029, PR China
2Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China
*These authors contributed equally to this work**‑Corresponding authors. Email: (Shaoqiang Wu), (Huailin Li)

ABSTRACT: The protozoan parasite Bonamia ostreae is a destructive pathogen of flat oysters and has been reported to be widespread in Europe and North America. The biological characteristics of this unicellular parasite are still not fully understood. In this study, 104 Ostrea edulis imported from the USA to the Guangdong province of China for consumption were examined for Bonamia infection. PCR assay, combined with restriction fragment length polymorphism, sequencing and BLAST analysis, showed that B. ostreae DNA could be detected in 1 of the 104 oyster samples. Light microscopy revealed Bonamia-like organisms in the oyster. PCR assay and fluorescent in situ hybridization showed that B. ostreae organisms were present and retained their integrity after 4 wk in culture. Acridine orange-ethidium bromide staining indicated that the B. ostreae were still alive. In conclusion, B. ostreae was present in oysters imported to China. More importantly, the parasite was able to survive for at least 4 wk of in vitro culture at 4°C, which further implied a long-term transmission risk of B. ostreae. Considering the wide culture beds of Crassostrea ariakensis and C. gigas in China, and that C. ariakensis and C. gigas are susceptible hosts or reservoirs of B. ostreae, our study highlights the potential risk of introducing B. ostreae by importing O. edulis from a Bonamia endemic area.


KEY WORDS: Bonamia ostreae · Ostrea edulis · In vitro culture characterization · Fluorescent in situ hybridization · Transmission risk


Full text in pdf format
Cite this article as: Feng C, Lin X, Wang F, Zhang Y and others (2013) Detection and characterization of Bonamia ostreae in Ostrea edulis imported to China. Dis Aquat Org 106:85-91. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02631

Export citation
Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn

 Previous article