Environmental factors and the infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasite, Perkinsus marinus, in eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica)

Authors

FLE Chu, Virginia Institute of Marine ScienceFollow

Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1999

Journal

Bulletin of the European Association of Fish Pathologists

Volume

19

Issue

6

First Page

265

Last Page

268

Abstract

Temperature and salinity are two important factors limiting the distribution and abundance of Perkinsus marinus, a protozoan parasite of Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Results of laboratory studies ale consistent with field observations and clearly demonstrate that P. marinus susceptibility and disease advancement are positively correlated with temperature, salinity and in situ number of infective cells. Laboratory findings also suggest that environmental degradation may enhance the epizootic, although disease caused by P. marinus in oysters is known to be predominantly exacerbated by elevated temperature and salinity. Oysters cellular defence mechanisms appear ineffective in defence against P. marinus. Also, pollutant esposure caused no significant effects on defence-related activities measured in oysters.

Keywords

Chesapeake-Bay; Salinity; Susceptibility; Temperature; Epizootiology

Recommended Citation

Chu, FLE, Environmental factors and the infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasite, Perkinsus marinus, in eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) (1999). Bulletin of the European Association of Fish Pathologists, 19(6), 265-268.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsarticles/1724