Lateral line depigmentation (LLD) in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Abstract

Head and lateral line erosion (HLLE) is a chronic dermatopathy affecting a number of fish that presents as depigmented skin along the lateral line system of the trunk and head. We present microbiological, immunological and histopathological features of this lesion in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), that developed after exposure to a chronic nutritional stress. Depigmention was limited to skin that was adjacent to the lateral line. The epidermis of affected fish was thin and reduced to a one-cell-thick layer over the lateral line. Melanocytes were depleted at the dermo-epidermal junction and formed aggregates in the epidermis. Innate immunity was weaker in affected fish than that previously measured in well-fed channel catfish. Because the pathology and apparent aetiology of HLLE described in various fish species are highly variable, HLLE appears to be a clinical sign, rather than a disease or syndrome. Thus, we propose that this clinical sign be referred to as lateral line depigmentation (LLD), because this description more accurately encompasses all cases of this presentation reported in fish. As nutritional requirements of channel catfish and lateral line neuroanatomy are well-known, the ability to reproducibly induce LLD in this species could provide a useful model for understanding its pathogenesis.

Morphopathological features of a severe ulcerative disease outbreak associated with Tenacibaculum maritimum in cultivated sole, Solea senegalensis (L.)

“…This melanophore aggregation may produce a local depigmentation, explaining the whitish appearance of the skin lesions observed in fish affected by tenacibaculosis. A similar finding has been previously reported by Corrales, Ullal & Noga (2009) studying lateral line depigmentation (LLD) in channel catfish.…”

Rodlet cells in Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell), affected with chronic ulcerative dermatopathy

“…(). A similar condition termed ‘lateral line depigmentation’ has also been reported in channel catfish after 12 months of starvation (Corrales, Ullal & Noga ).…”

Effects of Full‐Stream Carbon Filtration on the Development of Head and Lateral Line Erosion Syndrome (HLLES) in Ocean Surgeon

“…Many etiological agents and environmental conditions have been suspected of causing HLLES. Because of this diverse array of potential etiologies, Corrales et al (2009) proposed that HLLES should be considered a clinical observation called "lateral line depigmentation" rather than a specific disease or syndrome. In any event, the current study demonstrates that filtering with extruded coconut shell activated carbon at a full-stream rate that produced a TOC of 0.4 ± 0.15 mg/L (the minimum average the carbon filters could retain), induces depigmentation in ocean surgeons beginning at the lateral line pores and progressing to what is known clinically as HLLES.…”