Protecting the Mediterranean trout population
The main microbial pathogens associated with rainbow trout mortality are L. garvieae and S. iniae. The project concluded that the early stages of infection were key in either establishing disease or clearing the presence of pathogens. One of the major contributions of the Trout Streptococcose project has also been the development of specific cell line models. These models have been used to study the interaction of pathogens with fish cells as well as the behaviour of the immune responses in vivo and in vitro. Such models were instrumental in facilitating ongoing studies and allowing a number of conclusions to be reached. Apart from building successful animal/in vitro models, the research team from the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique studied trout white blood cells. Researchers managed to develop a novel mechanical method for the rapid harvesting of such cells from fish intestines. Important aspects of cellular morphology and function were revealed and researchers examined the roles of these cells in the immune response. Overall, new insight has been gained into the onset of infections among the rainbow trout populations. This newly emerging knowledge could have important implications for the prophylaxis and treatment of fish populations across the Mediterranean sea region.
