To investigate the effect of non-ionic ammonia (NH 3 -N) stress (0.1 and 0.5 mg L À1 ) on the immunity of Litopenaeus vannamei cultured in long-term freshwater, the total haemocyte count (THC), the activity of phenoloxidase (PO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined and further compared with those of seawater shrimps. The results showed that NH 3 -N stress significantly reduced THC and the activity of PO and SOD (P < 0.05). Under 0.1 mg L À1 NH 3 -N stress, NOS activity increased first and then decreased significantly, while it dropped dramatically under 0.5 mg L À1 NH 3 -N stress (P < 0.05). During NH 3 -N stress, MDA content increased continuously, and the MDA content in hepatopancreas of freshwater shrimps was higher than that of seawater shrimps. It was concluded that NH 3 -N stress significantly influenced the non-specific immunity and could also upset the balance of antioxidant system of L. vannamei in both freshwater and seawater shrimps. Compared with in seawater, the shrimps in freshwater were more vulnerable to NH 3 -N stress because of higher lipid peroxidation and lower immunity.

No abstract

Vibrio vulnificus is a pathogenic bacterium that causes disease in marine fish, affecting fish farming and human health worldwide. In May 2021, in the Bohai Bay region, a disease broke out in commercially farmed pearl gentian grouper (♀Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂Epinephelus lanceolatus), causing huge economic losses. The diseased fish had skin lesions, water accumulation in their abdomens, and showed tissue and organ damage. V. vulnificus biotype 2 has been reported in eels and other marine fish, but it is less reported in pearl gentian grouper. In this study, the pathogenic strain isolated from diseased fish was identified as V. vulnificus EPL 0201 biotype 2 on the basis of physiological and biochemical characteristics and the results of 16S rRNA gene and gyrB sequencing, virulence gene detection, and recursive infection experiments. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenicity and drug resistance of this strain, whole-genome sequencing was performed. Whole-genome analysis showed that the gene map of this strain was complete. The Virulence Factor Database annotation results showed that this strain had the key virulence factor genes vvhA and rtxA, which cause host disease. In addition, this strain had genes conferring resistance against cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing confirmed the presence of these resistance genes identified in the genome. The results of this study show that V. vulnificus EPL 0201 biotype 2 is a multi-drug resistant strain with high pathogenicity.

The effects of hypothermal (22-16°C) and hyperthermal (22-28°C) stress on the immune system responses of the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei cultured in either freshwater or seawater were measured and compared. The following immune system indicators were measured for comparison: total hemocyte count (THC), activity of phenoloxidase (PO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), superoxidase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Thermal stress significantly decreased THC in both freshwater and seawater shrimp within 6-12 h (P < 0.05). After hypothermal stress, all shrimp had a significantly lower THC level than their prechallenge levels (P < 0.05). Under both types of thermal stress, the activity of PO, NOS, and SOD first increased and then decreased. After 48 h of thermal stress, shrimp PO and NOS activity decreased in both freshwater and seawater. After 48 h of thermal stress, the reduction in the SOD activity in the hemolymph of freshwater shrimp was greater than that in seawater shrimp. During exposure to stress, the MDA content in freshwater shrimp was significantly higher than in seawater shrimp, which demonstrated that lipids in freshwater shrimp were more susceptible to peroxidation than those in seawater shrimp, particularly at low temperatures. Large temperature fluctuations, particularly sudden cooling, should be avoided when rearing L. vannamei because of high rates of lipid peroxidation and decreased immunity. These effects are more marked in freshwater than in seawater.