Controlled waterborne exposures of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) to Vibrio anguillarum and V. ordalii failed to result in overt signs of disease or mortality from vibriosis. Cumulative mortalities among Vibrio - exposed Pacific herring (3.3 - 5.0 percent) were similar to those of saline-exposed negative controls (10 percent) and significantly less (P less than 0.001) than those of Vibrio - exposed Chinook salmon (60 - 97 percent), a known susceptible species. Gross signs of disease did not occur on any dead or surviving Pacific herring; however, exposed Chinook salmon demonstrated classic gross signs of vibriosis. The results indicate that early reports of presumed vibriosis in Pacific herring during the 1950's were likely misdiagnosed cases of a viral disease, possibly viral hemorrhagic septicemia or viral erythrocytic necrosis, which can cause hemorrhagic lesions superficially resembling those of vibriosis.
- Digital Object Identifier: 10.5066/P9Q6GQVK
- Source: USGS Digital Object Identifier Catalog