Non-lethal detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum in Greenback Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias comparing mucus, blood, and ovarian fluid samples to kidney tissues
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Abstract
Objective
Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease, poses a major threat to both wild and aquaculture salmonid populations. Traditional detection methods typically involve lethal sampling to collect kidney tissues but are often impractical for species of conservation concern. This study evaluates nonlethal sampling techniques for detecting R. salmoninarum in Greenback Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias by comparing mucus, blood, and ovarian fluid samples to conventional kidney tissue.
Methods
During the 2019 spawning season, we collected samples from 781 adult fish and tested for R. salmoninarum via direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
Results
A total of 25 and 256 kidney tissues were positive by DFAT and qPCR, respectively. Of the three nonlethal samples tested, mucus swabs showed the highest percent correlation for detection with positive kidney tissues (DFAT = 47.6%, qPCR = 41.7%). Blood and ovarian fluid samples showed a lower percent correlation with positive kidney tissues (blood: DFAT = 12.0%, qPCR = 1.2%; ovarian fluid: DFAT = 12.5%, qPCR = 21.4%).
Conclusions
Our results suggest that nonlethal mucus swabbing could serve as a practical alternative for monitoring R. salmoninarum, especially in conservation efforts where minimizing fish mortality is critical.
Suggested Citation
Tawni, F.B., Fetherman, E.R., Winkelman, D.L., 2025, Non-lethal detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum in Greenback Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias comparing mucus, blood, and ovarian fluid samples to kidney tissues: Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, v. 37, no. 4, p. 192-198, https://doi.org/10.1093/jahafs/vsaf013.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Non-lethal detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum in Greenback Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias comparing mucus, blood, and ovarian fluid samples to kidney tissues |
| Series title | Journal of Aquatic Animal Health |
| DOI | 10.1093/jahafs/vsaf013 |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Publication Date | September 09, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Oxford Academic |
| Contributing office(s) | Coop Res Unit Seattle |
| Description | 7 p. |
| First page | 192 |
| Last page | 198 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| Other Geospatial | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Poudre Rearing Unit |