Effect of Extracellular Products of Pseudoalteromonas atlantica on the Edible Crab Cancer pagurus

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.70.2.729-735.2004
• Publication Date: 2004-02-06T17:48:04Z
• Authors: Carolina Costa-Ramos; Andrew F. Rowley
• Keywords: Eyestalk; Hepatopancreas; Hemolymph

ABSTRACT Previous studies have shown that injection of extracellular products (ECP) Pseudoalteromononas atlantica isolated from shell disease-infected edible crabs ( Cancer pagurus ) into healthy causes rapid death. In this study we examined the nature active lethal factor(s) in ECP. Injection ECP caused a decline total number circulating hemocytes (blood cells), and died within 60 to 90 min. The individuals showed eyestalk retraction, limb paralysis, lack antennal sensitivity, suggesting targeted nervous system. Histopathological investigations affected had large aggregates gills, there was destruction tubules hepatopancreas. factor not sensitive heat treatment (100°C for 30 min) proteinase K digestion. As lipopolysaccharide (LPS) potential candidate factor, it purified whole P. bacteria or subsequently injected crabs. These all external symptoms observed previously with ECP, such as paralysis they min after challenge, although no significant observed. Similarly, vitro incubation LPS (1 20 μg) did result clumping reaction but degranulation eventual cell lysis. Escherichia coli Pseudomonas aeruginosa μg g body weight −1 cause any characteristic following exposure LPS. No mortality followed E. LPS, ca. 80% at 2 h injection. Overall, these results show main virulence is either alone combination other heat-stable factors.