CHARACTERIZATION OF VIBRIO HARVEYI STRAINS RECOVERED FROM DISEASED FARMED SENEGALESE SOLE (SOLEA SENEGALENSIS)

Aim: To characterize 16 Vibrio harveyi strains isolated from different epizootic outbreaks affecting farmed Senegalese sole. Materials and Results: The Vibrio harveyi strains tested have broad phenotypic diversity based on their biochemical and exoenzymatic patterns, outer membrane proteins (OMP), extracellular product (ECP) patterns and presence of prophages. Lethal dose 50 (LD50) of the strains and in vitro antagonism tests with two probiotic strains were also determined. The OMP analysis revealed three different patterns (A, M and V). The electrophoretic analysis of the ECP showed two different groups. All strains considered virulent based on their LD50 exhibited the same protein pattern in their ECP (pattern I), while all nonvirulent strains showed a different profile (pattern II). About 32% of the tested strains were positive for prophages, although a clear relationship between virulence and the presence of prophages has not been established. Conclusions: The results obtained have shown differences between virulent and avirulent strains isolated from diseased farmed Senegalese sole based on the protein patterns of their ECP. However, a clear relationship between virulence and presence of prophages has not been established. Significance and Impact of the Study: The differences observed between virulent and nonvirulent strains could be used to design prophylactic strategies against diseases caused by V. harveyi in farmed Senegalese sole.