Renibacterium salmoninarum - Bacterial kidney disease (BKD)

Introduction

Renibacterium salmoninarum is the causative agent of Bacterial Kidney Disease - BKD. This disease is broadly distributed within salmon farming countries, including Europe, North and South America.

BKD may occur as a chronic or acute clinical manifestation, producing important mortality levels causing economic losses in farming companies. In this scenario, it becomes critical to be able to test a variety of prophylactic measures such as vaccines, antimicrobials and genetic selection programs under controlled trial conditions.

VESO Chile offers an experimental challenge model fish at the stage of pre-smolts (parr). After challenge, the fish are observed daily and mortality is recorded.

The diagnosis of the disease is based upon presence of the characteristic internal signs of the disease and cultivation of the bacterium in agar plates.

Challenge model

In preparation to the challenge, fish are acclimated to 15°C for a minimum of 7 to 14 days. Then, fish are challenged via i.p. injection with the challenge material.

After challenge, the fish are kept under a minimum disturbance policy and under close observation for recording mortalities. During this period, we can perform all type of samplings required by the clients.

Mortality in groups of fish i.p. injected with Renibacterium salmoninarum at different concentrations.