NGS of parasites' transcriptomes have been obtained and parasite genomes are now available in public databases. In vitro culture methods and experimental in vivo infection models for fish parasites have been established, which will be published in a SOP book. Immune response of hosts to parasites from the cellular to the molecular level and its involvement in protection has been shown.
Different new and sensitive molecular methodologies (ddRAD) for typing parasite isolates of S. chrysophrii, C. oestroides and S. parasitica were validated, while simultaneously interwinding standard parasitological tools (parameters of population dynamic and epidemiological models) to clarify the epidemiology of parasite infections and determine levels of spread/transfer between wild and farmed fish.
Fundamental advances were made to screen and test potential vaccine candidates for different parasites. Promising protection was found for I. multifiliis, P. dicentrarchi, and A. ocellatum. Initial protection was achieved for some vaccine candidates of T.bryosalmonae. In-feed immunostimulants were successful against the effects of E. leei and showed benefits against P. dicentrarchi, white spot and S. molnari.
Significant advances were made in the development, validation, and improvement of diagnostic methods: Reference methods and protocols for T. bryosalmonae, N. perurans and E. nucleophila; ringtests for T. bryosalmonae and E. nucleophila; a point-of-care LAMP method for the diagnosis of AGD; candidate diagnostic targets for Enteromyxum spp.; new methods for detecting zoonotic metacercariae, parasitic genotypes of Saprolegnia or Philasterides dicentrarchi, etc.
Natural and synthetic compounds were tested. Some chemicals are already being applied in aquaculture industry. One new probiotic bacterial compound showed activity against three important parasites and a patent was granted. Development of parasite-specific antibodies was initiated and gene-constructs encoding molecules able to block hyper-immune reactions developed. Experiments aiming at preventing transmission of fish viruses by cleanerfish predating on salmon sealice were conducted. Ultrasound for treatment of parasite infected water showed promising parasite-killing effects, though its economic viability is doubtful.
Risk factors for selected parasites were identified. The costs and benefits of prevention and control options were assessed and made available to the industry through an online tool for farmers. Potential future risks to European Aquaculture were identified and characterised, mitigation/management options identified, and IPMS developed for selected parasites. A biobank to store parasite material from the project and associated metadata has been created.
10,813 farmed fish, including runts, from 6 countries, and processed products from supermarkets were examined. Detection and identification of parasites by sequencing were carried out with different methodologies. No zoonotic parasites were found at 99% level of confidence. The overall risk of parasite infection in the selected farmed fish species is negligible. A rapid kit and a portable compression system to detect nematodes were developed. A certification based on the concept “no freezing requirement for aquaculture products” included in a VSCS has been completed.
Project communication included: factsheet, posters, flyers, presentation templates, public website, 25 videos, 10 Wikipedia pages, 3 dedicated social media and 4 project e-newsletters. Knowledge transfer activities included: peer-review articles (64), participation in scientific conferences and events (over 270), PhD (7), Master’s and degree thesis (6), publication of IPMS (6) and manuals for farmers (4), training courses (5) and lectures at higher education institutions (over 10), industry workshops (15), a final Conference event, meetings for policy engagement (10), and Key Exploitable Results and KTPs (40). All results have been widely disseminated and are publicly available in the final project brochure, the project Youtube channel and the Horizon Results Platform.
