Biochemical and Molecular Characteristics of Vibrio anguillarum Isolated from Alaska Pollock Theragra chalcogramma Seedlings

The health of Alaska pollock Theragra chalcogramma seedlings was monitored during February and April 2015. After microscopic examination for parasites, 20 samples sets were made by pooling 50 individuals for each sample set. Then, they were homogenized and examined for viral and bacterial pathogens. No parasites or viruses were detected using either microscopy or PCR. Colonies suspected of belonging to the genus Vibrio were isolated from Tryptic Soya Agar and Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salts Sucrose Agar plate incubations, and identified as Vibrio anguillarum based on biochemical and physiological examinations and PCR amplification of the 16S rDNA, recA, and pyrH genes. Although there was no mortality during the sampling period, 65.0% (13/20) of the pooled samples were PCR-positive for V. anguillarum. To prevent possible outbreaks, the pathogenic potential of V. anguillarum should be investigated in the future.