Characterization of chitinolytic bacteria and histological aspects of Shell Disease Syndrome in European spiny lobsters ( Palinurus elephas) (Fabricius 1787)

• Published in: Journal of invertebrate pathology 2010-07, Vol.104 (3), p.242-244
• Main Authors: Mancuso, M., Costanzo, M.T., Maricchiolo, G., Gristina, M., Zaccone, R., Cuccu, D., Genovese, L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal aquaculture; Animal productions; Animal Structures - microbiology; Animal Structures - pathology; Animals; Aquaculture; Bacterial disease; Biological and medical sciences; Chitin - metabolism; Crustacea; Crustaceans; Diagnosis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Histology; Invertebrate aquaculture; Invertebrates; Listonella - isolation & purification; Listonella - pathogenicity; Listonella anguillarum; Marine; Palinuridae - metabolism; Palinuridae - microbiology; Palinurus elephas; Pathology; Pontophilus spinosus; Syndrome; Vibrio alginolyticus; Vibrio alginolyticus - isolation & purification; Vibrio alginolyticus - pathogenicity; Vibrio Infections - microbiology; Vibrio Infections - pathology; Vibrio Infections - veterinary; Vibrio parahaemolyticus; Vibrio sp
• ISSN: 0022-2011; 1096-0805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2010.03.009

The present research reports the first description of Shell Disease Syndrome in European spiny lobsters Palinurus elephas (Fabricius 1787), which occurred in an experimental aquaculture facility in Sicily (Italy). Both bacterial characterization and histopathological examination of the exoskeleton at site of lesions was carried out. Infected specimens showed tail fan erosions, and in one case uropod ulceration and complete loss of periods. Identified species included: Listonella anguillarum 50.5%, Vibrio parahaemolyticus 27.5% and Vibrio alginolyticus 22%. Microscopic evaluation of lesions indicate the presence of inflammatory responses, which include melanization and pseudomembrane formation, similar to those described for other crustaceans affected by SDS.