Aquatic Animal Health Management

Specific sites and sequences in collagen to which cells can attach, either directly or through protein intermediaries, were identified using Toolkits of 63-amino acid triple-helical peptides and specific shorter GXX GEX motifs, which have different intrinsic affinity for integrins that mediate cell adhesion and migration. We have previously reported that collagen type I (COL-I) was able to prime in vitro the respiratory burst and induce a specific set of immune-and extracellular matrix-related molecules in phagocytes of the teleost fish gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.). It was also suggested that COL-I would provide an intermediate signal during the early inflammatory response in gilthead seabream. Since fibroblasts are highly involved in the initiation of wound repair and regeneration processes, in the present study SAF-1 cells (gilthead seabream fibroblasts) were used to identify the binding motifs in collagen by end-point and real-time cell adhesion assays using the collagen peptides and Toolkits. We identified the collagen motifs involved in the early magnesium-dependent adhesion of these cells. Furthermore, we found that peptides containing the GFOGER and GLOGEN motifs (where O is hydroxyproline) present high affinity for SAF-1 adhesion, expressed as both cell number and surface covering, while in cell suspensions, these motifs were also able to induce the expression of the genes encoding the proinflammatory molecules interleukin-1␤ and cyclooxygenase-2. These data suggest that specific collagen motifs are involved in the regulation of the inflammatory and healing responses of teleost fish.

Natural variation in the physiological variables of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica from a tropical climate have until now been poorly documented. This study was conducted to characterize the influence of hydrological variables (salinity, temperature, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, soluble reactive phosphorus [SRP], and soluble reactive silica [SRSi]) on oyster physiological variables (total hemocyte cells (THC), reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs), agglutination, lysozyme, and protein concentration). Oysters were collected during 3 different months (April, August, and December) from seven sites in Terminos Lagoon SW-Mexico. The association of physiological variables with oyster condition index (CI) was also studied. The physiological variability explained by environmental variables was high (30.7%) when compared with the variability explained by the condition index (8.9%). The independent effect of salinity explained 69.7% of the total variability in the physiological variables (F-ratio = 3.4; P = 0.002, Monte Carlo test with 499 permutations). Protein concentration was significantly correlated with spatial salinity variation (r2 = 0.89; H = 27.01, P < 0.0001). Site effects were salinity-protein discriminated (F-ratio = 3.406; P = 0.002). Temperature was not a significant variable in the oyster physiological variability. The oysters from marine freshwater transition zones were less affected in their CI and physiological parameters than oysters from permanent high (>28 psu) or low salinity conditions (<10 psu). This study represents the first step toward integrating specific C. virginica physiological information from tropical areas.

Earthen pond rearing system is the most prevalent type of aquaculture facilities in Egypt due to low construction costs. Such facilities are characterized by open nature which allows large numbers of imposing factors to interact with cultured fishes during the production cycle. Aquatic invasive species (i.e., red swamp cray fish: Procambrus  clarkii), migratory birds, wild amphibians and reptiles are staggering examples for such interacting factors, which impose severe deleterious impacts on the fish production cycle. The active nature and vast distribution of these species will ultimately violate the rearing regime of the fish farming facility through the establishment, proliferation and spread of pathogens by mechanical, biological and direct infectious routes. Further, the wet nature of aquaculture operations, frequent introduction of new broodstocks, fish meal, reuse of agricultural drainage water and faulty use of animal manure as well as movement of fish from different localities offers a multitude of opportunities for pathogen entry to fish farming operations. Once introduced, pathogens can easily proliferate within the systems leading to potent disease issues, sometimes leading to a complete collapse in production, or more intermittent outbreaks affecting output reliability. Therefore, this study is designated to examine the key role played by invasive species, vectors and reservoirs responsible for pathogen introduction into fish farms. Moreover, the essential needs were discussed for development of practical methods to limit pathogen introduction, spread and proliferation at any level of fish production cycle parallel with the adoption of Good Aquaculture Practice (GAP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) in Egyptian fish farms.

The book is a systematic diagnostic guide of most common viral diseases of fish and shellfish. It is recommended for both undergraduate and graduate students of Aquatic Animal Health, Fish & Shellfish Diseases , Aquatic Animal Virology , Clinical Aquatic Virology and Fish / Shellfish Pathology majors. The book is also very useful for aquatic veterinarians , fish pathologists, fisheries scientists and marine biologists.

Currently Ethiopian higher institution curriculums are harmonized to a modular system which is ought to improve and maintain the quality of education. In newly opened institutions like Wollega University, who engaged in training of various Veterinary health professionals for which there is shortage of references materials, preparation of standard lecture notes and modules is indisputable. Therefore, with in the module of the curriculum, this lecture note was developed on the course “Animal Health Extension and Pastoralism” to fill the existing gap and strengthen the teaching -learning processes. The lecture note is primarily prepared for students pursuing their bachelor of veterinary medicine, doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) or related professions in various higher teaching institutions. It also helps those graduates who are in service or specializing on the area. To develop this lecture note, materials have been gathered and adapted from different standard books, journals and research reports and adopted to the Ethiopian context. The lecture note has six chapters covering major and relevant topics of the course. Within each chapter, important topics are identified and discussed in simple language so as to facilitate rapid reading and understanding of important concepts. Each chapter has activity question and also followed by review questions that can enable the reader to use them as self-assessment tools. The authors strongly believe that this teaching material will play a crucial role in promoting the teaching-learning process through delivery of pertinent information to the trainees. Nevertheless, constructive comments and suggestions from readers are welcome so as to further strengthen the lecture note.