Physico-chemical characteristics and pathogenicity of Vibrio Parahaemolyticus-like bacterium isolated from eye lesions of Chanos chanos (Forsskal) juveniles

Abstract

Vibrio parahaemolyticus-like bacteria were isolated from eye lesions of milkfish juveniles. The tolerance of the typical isolate to various temperature, pH and salinity levels was tested. Pathogenicity tests done via both injection and immersion challenge techniques induced high mortalities in milkfish fingerlings. Juveniles challenged by immersion method exhibited a very low mortality rate, but eye lesions were observed and these ranged from various degrees of eye cover opacity, to cataract-like tissue formation around the lens, and the failure of the artificially injured site to heal. The impact of the present observations to the milkfish industry is discussed.