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Isolation, identification and characterisation of Aeromonas veronii from diseased Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala

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Abstract

Infectious disease happens to be one of the major constraints in aquaculture and responsible for huge losses to livelihoods worldwide. In the present study, a gram-negative bacterium responsible for mortality in Cirrhinus mrigala cultured in a farm located in Kamrup (rural) district, Assam, India, with previous records of mortality was identified. This bacterium was isolated and identified as Aeromonas veronii based on colony morphology, biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA and rpo B gene sequencing. The naturally infected fish showed signs of skin lesions and red spots on body surface, and associated with mortality. Its virulence potential was confirmed by experimental challenge and analysis of Aeromonas specific virulence factors like aerolysin, hemolysin and enterotoxin. Experimental challenge with concentration of 106 and 107 CFU bacterial suspension resulted in 73.33 and 86.67% mortality rate, respectively in healthy C. mrigala fish within 120 h post injection. Histopathological analysis revealed gross pathological changes including liver, kidneys and gills. The isolate was found to be sensitive to multiple antibiotics but resistant to ampicillin, penicillin and erythromycin. This study might be the first report of Aeromonas veronii infection in the Indian major carp, C. mrigala.

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Data availability

All data generated in the present study is provided in this manuscript and its figures and tables. Nucleotide sequences can be freely retrieved from the NCBI database.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India, for the financial assistance (BT/PR17991/AAQ/3/816/2016). Due regards are also paid to the Head, Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, where the work was carried out and the farmers for their cooperation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, 781014, Assam, India

    Anamika Adhikary, Gayatree Hazarika, Rajdeep Das, Kangkan Sarma & Dandadhar Sarma

  2. OIE Reference Laboratory for WTD, Department of Zoology, C. Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam, Tamil Nadu, India

    S. Vimal, S. Abdul Majeed & A. S. Sahul Hameed

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  1. Anamika Adhikary
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  2. Gayatree Hazarika
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Correspondence to Dandadhar Sarma.

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Adhikary, A., Hazarika, G., Das, R. et al. Isolation, identification and characterisation of Aeromonas veronii from diseased Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala. Aquacult Int 31, 997–1010 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-022-01012-4

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