An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Neoparamoeba sp. infection on the innate immune responses of Atlantic salmon. Atlantic salmon were experimentally infected with Neoparamoeba sp. and serially sampled 0, 1, 4, 6, 8 and 11 days post-exposure (dpe). Histological analysis of infected fish gill arches identified the presence of characteristic amoebic gill disease lesions as early as 1 dpe with a steady increase in the number of affected gill filaments over time. Immune parameters investigated were anterior kidney phagocyte function (respiratory burst, chemotaxis and phagocytosis) and total plasma protein and lysozyme. In comparison with non-exposed control fish basal respiratory burst responses were suppressed at 8 and 11 dpe, while phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated activity was significantly suppressed at 11 dpe. Variable differences in phagocytic activity and phagocytic rate following infection were identified. There was an increase in the chemotactic response of anterior kidney macrophages isolated from exposed fish relative to control fish at 8 dpe. Total protein and lysozyme levels were not affected by Neoparamoeba sp. exposure. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Research Group:	Fisheries Sciences
Research Field:	Aquaculture
Objective Division:	Animal Production and Animal Primary Products
Objective Group:	Fisheries - Aquaculture
Objective Field:	Fisheries - Aquaculture not elsewhere classified
Author:	Gross, KA (Miss Kally Gross)
Author:	Powell, MD (Dr Mark Powell)
Author:	Butler, R (Dr Rick Butler)
Author:	Morrison, RN (Dr Richard Morrison)
Author:	Nowak, BF (Professor Barbara Nowak)
ID Code:	32906
Year Published:	2005
Web of Science® Times Cited:	25
Deposited By:	TAFI - Aquaculture
Deposited On:	2005-08-01
Last Modified:	2006-04-01
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