斑点叉尾源杀鲑气单胞菌无色亚种分离鉴定及药敏特性

研究从患溃疡症斑点叉尾鲙中分离到一株致病性菌株ry01,生理生化鉴定和16S rDNA基因序列分析表明ry01株为鲑气单胞菌无色亚种(Aeromonas salmonicida subsp.achromogenes)。人工感染该菌后发病鱼表现为与自然发病类似症状,且从组织中再分离的细菌特性与原感染菌相同。腹腔注射后该菌株对斑点叉尾鲙的半数致死量为4.17×10~6 CFU/m L。菌株ry01对强力霉素及左氧氟沙星等高度敏感,为斑点叉尾鲙该病防控提供了理论依据。     

斑点叉尾鮰源普通变形杆菌的分离、鉴定及药敏特性

【目的】对患病斑点叉尾鮰进行病原菌分离、鉴定及药敏实验,为斑点叉尾鮰肠道坏死病的防控提供参考。【方法】从患病斑点叉尾鮰病灶、肝、脾和肾分离纯化病原菌,经理化特性测定及16S rRNA基因序列分析对其进行鉴定,开展人工感染试验,并利用纸片扩散法进行药敏特性分析。【结果】分离菌株k1为本次引发斑点叉尾鮰病害的致病菌,其对斑点叉尾鮰的LD50为2.82×10~5 CFU/g。菌株k1理化特性与普通变形杆菌Proteus vulgaris基本一致,16S rRNA基因序列与普通变形杆菌相似性最高,综合判定分离菌株为普通变形杆菌。分离菌株k1对环丙沙星、头孢唑林及头孢拉定等12种抗生素高度敏感,对苯唑西林、阿莫西林及痢特灵等7种抗生素耐药。【结论】分离菌株k1是斑点叉尾鮰病原菌,养殖时可选用庆大霉素及氟苯尼考等药物进行防控。     

斑点叉尾鮰套肠症的病原学初步研究

本研究从2例垂死的患败血症并肠套叠的斑点叉尾鮰血液、肝脏及脑组织中分离到2种类型的致病性细菌菌株,经对细菌进行形态观察、生理生化测试和16S rDNA序列分析,分别鉴定为嗜水气单胞菌和荧光假单胞菌;攻毒实验证实它们确为斑点叉尾鮰病鱼的病原。根据药敏实验的结果,及时对病区斑点叉尾鮰进行治疗,连续用药3-5天,发病的叉尾鮰即停止死亡。根据研究结果,文章对斑点叉尾鮰肠套叠发生的原因进行了的分析,提出了不同的观点。     

不同温度下恩诺沙星及其代谢物在斑点叉尾鲖各组织中的残留及消除规律比较

分别在18℃和28℃水温下, 以20 mg/(kg·d)鱼体质量对斑点叉尾鲙给药恩诺沙星, 连续灌胃7d。给药后在不同的时间点取样, 用高效液相色谱荧光检测器检测, 研究恩诺沙星及其主要代谢产物环丙沙星在斑点叉尾鲙体内(血液、肌肉、皮肤、肝脏和肾脏)的残留消除规律。结果表明, 恩诺沙星在不同组织、不同水温消除速率不同: 水温为18℃, 皮肤、肝脏、肾脏和肌肉中的消除曲线方程分别为C=1022.1e–0.034t、C=2601.3e–0.046t、C=2903.6e–0.072t和C=1186.5e–0.036t, 消除半衰期分别为31.79d、45.29d、16.15d和35.54d; 水温为28℃, 皮肤、肝脏、肾脏和肌肉中的消除曲线方程分别为C=8805.5e–0.04t、C=3154e–0.08t、C=4145.1e–0.1t和C=1302.1e–0.068t, 消除半衰期分别为18.33d、6.26d、12.44d和10.34d。恩诺沙星在斑点叉尾鲙体内可代谢为环丙沙星, 恩诺沙星在斑点叉尾鲙体内的代谢速度较慢, 代谢物环丙沙星在斑点叉尾鲙体内的消除速度比恩诺沙星快; 在18℃水温下, 斑点叉尾鲙肉中的恩诺沙星和环丙沙星完全消除需要150d以上; 在28℃水温下, 斑点叉尾鲙肉中的恩诺沙星和环丙沙星完全消除需要120d。在实验条件下, 建议水温为18℃和28℃时, 休药期分别为3240℃·日和4200℃·日。     

基于重组毕赤酵母的斑点叉尾鮰β-防御素表达

β-防御素是斑点叉尾鮰Ietalurus punetaus抵御病原微生物侵染的首要蛋白质免疫因子,其一级结构包含氨基端24个氨基酸组成的信号肽和羧基端43个氨基酸组成的成熟肽,该成熟肽赋予β-防御素的生物学活性。文中首次构建了产斑点叉尾鮰β-防御素的毕赤酵母Pichiapastoris重组菌株,实现了基于真核表达的斑点叉尾鮰β-防御素的生物合成。首先通过RT-PCR从斑点叉尾鮰皮肤中分离β-防御素成熟肽基因"IPBD",将其与表达载体p PICZαA连接并转入毕赤酵母X-33后,获得重组毕赤酵母菌株;经含1 000μg/m L博来霉素的培养基筛选,获得高拷贝重组菌株。以BMM培养基(无氨基氮源培养基)替代BMMY培养基(含氨基氮源培养基),对重组菌株的发酵培养条件进行优化,确定其产斑点叉尾鮰β-防御素的最适条件为:28℃、250 r/min、1.0%甲醇诱导表达96 h。重组菌株产物经镍离子亲和层析获得分子量为5.98k Da的纯化蛋白,基于MALDI-TOF-TOF的质谱分析证明该纯化蛋白为重组IPBD。抑菌活性测定结果表明重组IPBD对革兰氏阳性的金黄色葡萄球菌Staphylococcus aureus、单增李斯特菌Listeria monocytogenes以及革兰氏阴性的铜绿假单胞菌Pseudomonas aeruginosa的抑菌率分别为69.6%、71.6%和65.8%。本研究为鱼类来源天然小分子抗菌肽的开发提供了可参考的重组DNA技术。     

斑点叉尾鲖源海豚链球菌Srr蛋白海藻酸钠-壳聚糖口服疫苗的制备及其免疫效果研究

制备海藻酸钠-壳聚糖-海豚链球菌Srr蛋白微球疫苗, 并检测其对斑点叉尾鲙的免疫效果。采用乳化法利用海藻酸钠-壳聚糖包被Srr蛋白, 测定其包封率、载药率及包被蛋白的抗原性; 通过拌饲投喂免疫斑点叉尾鲙, 分为Srr组、Srr微球组、空微球组以及对照组, 间接ELISA法检测免疫后斑点叉尾鲙的血清抗体水平, 试剂盒检测多项血清非特异性指标; 于免疫后第4周利用海豚链球菌攻毒, 计算各组相对保护率, 并通过实时荧光定量PCR检测相关基因的表达量。结果显示, 通过乳化法制得形态为圆形或椭圆形、大小较为均一的微球疫苗, 粒径为(4.26±1.13) μm, 包封率为92.38%, 载药率为19.41%, Western-blot分析表明Srr蛋白微球具有较好的抗原性; Srr微球组的抗体效价峰值出现在第4周, 明显高于其他组, 血清总蛋白、T-SOD以及溶菌酶活力均显著或极显著高于其他实验组, 并获得60%的相对保护率。荧光定量分析结果显示, Srr微球组攻毒后24h和48h各免疫基因表达量均有所上调。Srr蛋白微球疫苗能够提高斑点叉尾鲙抵抗海豚链球菌的能力, 对海豚链球菌起到了一定的预防作用。     

鳜源致病性荧光假单菌的分离与鉴定

为确定导致鳜（Siniperca chuatsi）细菌性感染死亡的病原,从患病濒死的鳜肝中分离出一株优势菌B01,经人工回感实验确定其分离菌的致病性,并利用VITEK-2全自动微生物鉴定仪及16S rRNA序列分析对纯培养细菌进行鉴定。此外,对分离的菌株进行药敏实验。研究结果表明,菌株B01对鳜鱼具有致病性。经VITEK-2全自动微生物鉴定仪鉴定菌株B01为荧光假单胞菌（Pseudomonas fluorescens）（表1）,并在紫外灯可以产生荧光（图1）。进一步的16S rRNA基因序列和系统发育树分析表明,该菌与荧光假单胞菌同源性达到了97%以上,并和（图2）。药物敏感性实验结果显示,该分离株对恩诺沙星、诺氟沙星、链霉素和四环素药物等6种药物高度敏感（表2）。     

一株凡纳滨对虾源维氏气单胞菌的分离鉴定及药敏特性

【目的】凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)是世界范围内最主要的对虾养殖品种之一,2017年5-6月上海某凡纳滨对虾养殖场出现不明原因的死亡病例,发病急,死亡率高。从患病凡纳滨对虾体内分离到一株优势菌AVZ01,旨在确定病因并筛选出敏感药物,为今后凡纳滨对虾维氏气单胞菌(Aeromonas veronii)的防治提供参考。【方法】从患病凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺和肠道中分离致病菌,通过理化特性及16S r RNA基因序列分析进行鉴定,通过人工感染试验确定病原,使用Bliss法计算出半数致死剂量(LD50),并通过纸片扩散法进行药敏试验。【结果】从患病凡纳滨对虾体内分离到一株优势菌AVZ01,进行人工回归感染试验后,对虾发病症状与自然发病症状相似,凡纳滨对虾的LD50为8.7×105 CFU/m L。根据该菌株的形态特征、理化特性、16S r RNA基因序列分析,综合判断该病原菌为维氏气单胞菌。药敏试验结果显示,该菌株对米诺环素、诺氟沙星、庆大霉素等16种抗生素高度敏感,对青霉素、苯唑西林、头孢氨苄等9种抗生素耐药。【结论】分离菌株AVZ01对凡纳滨对虾有较强的致病性,养殖过程中可选用庆大霉素及新霉素等药物进行防控。     

38株维氏气单胞菌分离株的AFLP基因分型研究

试验通过人工设计合成的通用接头以及与接头序列相匹配的专用引物, 对38株维氏气单胞菌分离株和1株维氏气单胞菌标准菌株进行AFLP基因分型研究。结果显示, 采用5对引物使39株维氏气单胞菌扩增出1080条可见条带, 片段长度在50-1000 bp之间, 其中多态性条带727条, 平均每对引物组合产生154条多态性条带, 平均多态性检出率为66.7%。按UPGMA方法对条带进行聚类分析, 建立聚类分支树状图, 将39株维氏气单胞菌分为9个基因型, 其中第四类群基因Ⅳ型包含了14株菌株, 约占总菌数的35.9%, 分布在5个不同的地区, 推测其可能是引起斑点叉尾 发病的主要流行性基因型。不同地区分离的维氏气单胞菌具有地域性差异, 而同一地区分离株既存在相同基因型现象, 也存在基因型多样性现象。       

斑点叉尾鮰一株致病菌的分离鉴定及系统发育分析

从发生急性流行性传染病的斑点叉尾肝、肾分离到一高致病性的菌株(CCF00024),经人工感染实验证实其为该病的病原菌。对该菌的形态、生理生化及16S rDNA序列分析结果表明,其为非发酵型,严格需氧,革兰氏阴性杆菌,极生多鞭毛,对除麦芽糖和甘露糖以外的多种糖类不能利用产酸,氧化酶阴性,DNA酶、蛋白酶、脲酶、赖氨酸脱羧酶阳性,MR阴性。在以该菌16S rDNA序列(GenBank登录号AY970826)和GenBank及RDP数据库内同源性较高的细菌16S rDNA序列构建的系统发育树中,分离菌CCF00024与嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌(Stenotrophomonasmaltophilia)聚在一簇,特别是与S.maltophiliaM5-1的同源性最高,其序列相似性达99.6%,结合形态和生理生化特点将其鉴定为嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌(Stenotrophomonas maltophilia)。     

Grouping by plasmid profiles of atypical Aeromonas salmonicida isolated from fish, with special reference to salmonid fish

Plasmid profile analyses were performed for 113 strains of atypical Aeromonas salmonicida and the reference strain A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida ATCC 14174. The atypical A. salmonicida strains comprised 98 strains obtained from fish originating from 54 farms and 2 lakes in Norway, 10 strains from Canada (2), Denmark (2), Finland (1), Iceland (1) and Sweden (4), the reference strains NCMB 1109 and ATCC 15711 (Haemophilus piscium) of A. salmonicida subsp. achromogenes, and the type cultures A. salmonicida subsp. achromogenes NCMB 1110, A. salmonicida subsp. masoucida ATCC 27013 and A. salmonicida subsp. smithia CCM 4103. A total of 95 strains of atypical A. salmonicida were separated into 7 groups (I to VII) based on the plasmid profiles. Eighteen strains of atypical A. salmonicida had no common plasmid profile. The type strain NCMB 1110 and the reference strain NCMB 1109 were included in group IV, and the type strain ATCC 27013 in group V, but the other reference and type strains had plasmid profiles different from all the other strains. An epidemiological link was documented between strains collected from different farms/localities in each of groups I, III, V and VII. Physiological and biochemical characterizations were performed for 93 of the strains to investigate phenotypic differences between the plasmid groups. Group VII strains and 3 strains with no common plasmid profile differed from the other groups in being catalase-negative. Differences in phenotypic characteristics were shown between the plasmid groups. However, significant variations in reactions for several phenotypic characteristics also occurred within each of the groups I to VII. The present study indicates that plasmid profiling may give useful epidemiological information during outbreaks of atypical A. salmonicida infections in fish. Additional comprehensive phenotypic characterisation is of limited value since the phenotypic characteristics in each plasmid group are not uniform.     

Genetic diversity of the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida demonstrated by random amplified polymorphic DNA and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analyses

The current taxonomy of Aeromonas salmonicida includes 4 subspecies. A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida is associated with salmonid furunculosis, and A. salmonicida subsp. achromogenes, A. salmonicida subsp. masoucida, and A. salmonicida subsp. smithia are strains that show variation in some biochemical properties. This classification does not readily encompass isolates from a wide range of fish hosts currently described as atypical A. salmonicida. This study examined 17 typical strains, 39 atypical strains and 3 type A. salmonicida subspecies strains for genetic similarity using the random amplified polymophic DNA (RAPD) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) techniques. On the basis of RAPD- and PFGE-derived profiles, similarity matrices and dendrograms were constructed. The results showed that species A. salmonicida constituted a genetically heterogeneous group of strains, encompassing within an homogeneous or clonal lineage comprised solely of typical strains and the A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida type strain.     

Characteristics of 'atypical', cytochrome oxidase-negative Aeromonas salmonicida isolated from ulcerated flounders (Platichthys flesus (L.))

'Atypical', cytochrome oxidase-negative variants of the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida , isolated from ulcerated flounder ( Platichthys flesus ), were studied using different methods. Two of the strains possessed a protein that corresponded to the A-layer protein of Aer. salmonicida . The strains reacted with antibodies against the A-layer and monoclonal antibodies against the O-antigen of typical Aer. salmonicida . These tests confirm that the isolates from flounder should be classified as Aer. salmonicida . Analysis of the fatty acids showed that the isolates were rather homogenous but the values of the guanine plus cytosine content of the DNA of the bacteria varied too much for any conclusion to be drawn on their taxonomic location. The strains examined exhibited several biochemical characters that differed from those of the type strains of Aer. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida and Aer. salmonicida , subsp. achromogenes . The results suggest that these 'atypical', cytochrome oxidase-negative variants may form a new subspecies of Aer. salmonicida .     

Monoclonal antibodies against AsaP1, a major exotoxin of the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. achromogenes, and their application in ELISA

Two monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) binding to a toxic extracellular metallo-proteinase of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. achromogenes, AsaP1, were produced. Both reacted with common epitopes of the native enzyme and recognized this 20 kDa antigen on Western blots. One of these Mabs had an inhibitory effect on the caseinase activity of the exotoxin. A Mab-based ELISA was set up and evaluated for serological detection of AsaP1 in bacterial culture filtrates. The exotoxin was identified serologically in the extracellular products of 11 of 26 atypical Aer. salmonicida isolates, including the type strain for subsp. achromogenes NCIMB 1110. The ELISA was approximately 100-fold more sensitive in detecting AsaP1 compared with an azocasein assay. The established serological test enables AsaP1 to be quantified reliably with a lower detection limit of about 0.12 ng ml-1 and has a potential use for the phenotypic differentiation of atypical Aer. salmonicida isolates.     

Comparison of extracellular proteases produced by Aeromonas salmonicida strains, isolated from various fish species

Extracellular products (ECPs) of five typical and 25 atypical Aeromonas salmonicida isolates from various fish species and geographical locations were analysed by substrate specificity, inhibition of proteolytic activity and substrate SDS-PAGE. The type strains of Aer. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida and Aer. salmonicida subsp. achromogenes were included for comparison. The results indicated that the strains formed six protease groups. The proteases produced by the two type strains were of a different nature. All the typical strains belonged to one group and showed proteolytic activities comparable to P1 and P2 proteases. Three atypical (oxidase-negative) strains secreted a protease comparable to P1. With the exception of these three, all strains produced metallo-gelatinases. A metallo-caseinase (AsaP1) was detected in the ECP of subsp. achromogenes type strain and 10 of the atypical strains. A number of proteolytic components with different apparent molecular weights (AMWs) were identified. These include caseinases with AMWs of > 100, 80, 60 and 30 kDa and gelatinolytic components with different AMWs, including some with AMW higher than P1 and lower than P2. The protease production of the isolates was not found to be host specific.     

Identification of atypical Aeromonas salmonicida: inter-laboratory evaluation and harmonization of methods

The atypical isolates of Aeromonas salmonicida are becoming increasingly important as the frequency of isolation of bacteria belonging to this group continues to rise. The primary object of this study was to compare and evaluate the results obtained in various laboratories concerning the biochemical identification of atypical Aer. salmonicida before and after standardization of media and methods. Five laboratories examined 25 isolates of Aer. salmonicida from diverse fish species and geographical locations including the reference strains of Aer. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida (NCMB 1102) and Aer. salmonicida subsp. achromogenes (NCMB 1110). Without standardization of the methods, 100% agreement was obtained only for two tests: motility and ornithine decarboxylase. The main reason for the discrepancies found was the variation of the incubation time prior to reading the biochemical reactions. After standardization, improvement was obtained with the identification; however, disagreement was still observed between the different laboratories. These findings demonstrate the difficulties involved in a proper identification of atypical Aer. salmonicida and also that data presented in the literature on various strains of Aer. salmonicida are not readily comparable. This paper seems to be the first on standardization of microbiological tests for identification of fish pathogens and the results obtained show the need for standardization of methods both within and between laboratories.     

Transfer of multiple drug resistance plasmids between bacteria of diverse origins in natural microenvironments.

Plasmids harboring multiple antimicrobial-resistance determinants (R plasmids) were transferred in simulated natural microenvironments from various bacterial pathogens of human, animal, or fish origin to susceptible strains isolated from a different ecological niche. R plasmids in a strain of the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae O1 E1 Tor and a bovine Escherichia coli strain were conjugated to a susceptible strain of the fish pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida in marine water. Conjugations of R plasmids between a resistant bovine pathogenic E. coli strain and a susceptible E. coli strain of human origin were performed on a hand towel contaminated with milk from a cow with mastitis. A similar conjugation event between a resistant porcine pathogenic E. coli strain of human origin was studied in minced meat on a cutting board. Conjugation of R plasmids between a resistant strain of the fish pathogenic bacterium A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida and a susceptible E. coli strain of human origin was performed in raw salmon on a cutting board. R plasmids in a strain of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida and a human pathogenic E. coli strain were conjugated to a susceptible porcine E. coli strain in porcine feces. Transfer of the different R plasmids was confirmed by plasmid profile analyses and determination of the resistance pattern of the transconjugants. The different R plasmids were transferred equally well under simulated natural conditions and under controlled laboratory conditions, with median conjugation frequencies ranging from 3 x 10(-6) to 8 x 10(-3). The present study demonstrates that conjugation and transfer of R plasmids is a phenomenon that belongs to the environment and can occur between bacterial strains of human, animal, and fish origins that are unrelated either evolutionarily or ecologically even in the absence of antibiotics. Consequently, the contamination of the environment with bacterial pathogens resistant to antimicrobial agents is a real threat not only as a source of disease but also as a source from which R plasmids can easily spread to other pathogens of diverse origins.     

Transfer of multiple drug resistance plasmids between bacteria of diverse origins in natural microenvironments

Plasmids harboring multiple antimicrobial-resistance determinants (R plasmids) were transferred in simulated natural microenvironments from various bacterial pathogens of human, animal, or fish origin to susceptible strains isolated from a different ecological niche. R plasmids in a strain of the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae O1 E1 Tor and a bovine Escherichia coli strain were conjugated to a susceptible strain of the fish pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida in marine water. Conjugations of R plasmids between a resistant bovine pathogenic E. coli strain and a susceptible E. coli strain of human origin were performed on a hand towel contaminated with milk from a cow with mastitis. A similar conjugation event between a resistant porcine pathogenic E. coli strain of human origin was studied in minced meat on a cutting board. Conjugation of R plasmids between a resistant strain of the fish pathogenic bacterium A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida and a susceptible E. coli strain of human origin was performed in raw salmon on a cutting board. R plasmids in a strain of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida and a human pathogenic E. coli strain were conjugated to a susceptible porcine E. coli strain in porcine feces. Transfer of the different R plasmids was confirmed by plasmid profile analyses and determination of the resistance pattern of the transconjugants. The different R plasmids were transferred equally well under simulated natural conditions and under controlled laboratory conditions, with median conjugation frequencies ranging from 3 x 10(-6) to 8 x 10(-3). The present study demonstrates that conjugation and transfer of R plasmids is a phenomenon that belongs to the environment and can occur between bacterial strains of human, animal, and fish origins that are unrelated either evolutionarily or ecologically even in the absence of antibiotics. Consequently, the contamination of the environment with bacterial pathogens resistant to antimicrobial agents is a real threat not only as a source of disease but also as a source from which R plasmids can easily spread to other pathogens of diverse origins.     

Small subunit rRNA gene sequences of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. smithia and Haemophilus piscium reveal pronounced similarities with A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida

The small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) encoding genes from reference strains of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. smithia and Haemophilus piscium were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and cloned into Escherichia coli cells. Almost the entire SSU rRNA gene sequence (1505 nucleotides) from both organisms was determined. These DNA sequences were compared with those previously described from A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, subsp. achromogenes and subsp. masoucida. This genetic analysis revealed that A. salmonicida subsp. smithia and H. piscium showed 99.4 and 99.6% SSU rRNA gene sequence identity, respectively, with A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida.     

Characterization of an ADP-ribosyltransferase toxin (AexT) from Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida

An ADP-ribosylating toxin named Aeromonas salmonicida exoenzyme T (AexT) in A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, the etiological agent of furunculosis in fish, was characterized. Gene aexT, encoding toxin AexT, was cloned and characterized by sequence analysis. AexT shows significant sequence similarity to the ExoS and ExoT exotoxins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and to the YopE cytotoxin of different Yersinia species. The aexT gene was detected in all of the 12 A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida strains tested but was absent from all other Aeromonas species. Recombinant AexT produced in Escherichia coli possesses enzymatic ADP-ribosyltransferase activity. Monospecific polyclonal antibodies directed against purified recombinant AexT detected the toxin produced by A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida and cross-reacted with ExoS and ExoT of P. aeruginosa. AexT toxin could be detected in a wild type (wt) strain of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida freshly isolated from a fish with furunculosis; however, its expression required contact with RTG-2 rainbow trout gonad cells. Under these conditions, the AexT protein was found to be intracellular or tightly cell associated. No AexT was found when A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida was incubated in cell culture medium in the absence of RTG-2 cells. Upon infection with wt A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, the fish gonad RTG-2 cells rapidly underwent significant morphological changes. These changes were demonstrated to constitute cell rounding, which accompanied induction of production of AexT and which led to cell lysis after extended incubation. An aexT mutant which was constructed from the wt strain with an insertionally inactivated aexT gene by allelic exchange had no toxic effect on RTG-2 cells and was devoid of AexT production. Hence AexT is directly involved in the toxicity of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida for RTG-2 fish cells.