New insight on fish disease
One of the most prevalent pathogens affecting Mediterranean fish cultures in particular is Myxidium leei (Myxozoa). Sparus aurata (commonly known as the gilthead bream) was the point of focus for the EC-funded MYXFISHCONTROL project, which sought to enrich the available knowledge base on myxidiosis. Project partners studied the epidemiological aspects of the disease as well as mechanisms of transmission, pathogenesis and immune responses. Israel-based National Center for Mariculture carried out a series of surveys examining the spread of the disease across wild fish populations in 10 sites in the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Participating countries included Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Israel. A total of 2260 fish was examined and 55 individual fish were found to be positive for myxidiosis. The geographic proximity of infected fish near fish cultures implies that feral fish could act as infection reservoirs. This information could have an important impact on the development of prophylactic measures to ensure the health and well being of wild and cultured fish in the Mediterranean region.
