Lancefield Group C Streptococcus dysgalactiae recently emerged as a catfish pathogen in the US. Reports from hatcheries suggest S. dysgalactiae causes substantial broodfish loss. We aimed to develop a challenge model and evaluate vaccine efficacy against S. dysgalactiae in juvenile channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ). Three S. dysgalactiae (14–1, 14–24 and 14–25) isolates were tested for virulence. Intracoelomic (IC) injec...

Columnaris disease generates substantial losses of many freshwater fish species; one is the hybrid striped bass. The ubiquitous aquatic bacterium Flavobacterium columnare can be highly effective in biofilm formation on fish skin and gills. Previous research showed a difference between columnaris disease susceptibility of hybrid striped bass ( Morone saxatilis × M. chrysops ) and white bass ( M. chrysops ). To understand these...

Columnaris disease is responsible for substantial losses throughout the production of many freshwater fish species. One of the ways in which the bacterium Flavobacterium columnare is so effective in initiating disease is through the formation of biofilms on fish skin and gills. To further explore the interaction between host factors and bacterial cells, we assayed the ability of vertebrate mucus to enhance F. columnare biofilm...