The stress–immunity axis in shellfish

Emerging Diseases and Epizootics in Crabs Under Cultivation

“…It is well-established that disease outbreaks in both shellfish and fish are often linked to environmental perturbations/stressors. These include changes in (usually elevated) temperature, toxins, such as those from harmful algal blooms, metals, nitrogenous waste products and changes in pH (reviewed by Coates and Söderhäll, 2021). Aquatic animals because of their constant and intimate association with water, are highly vulnerable to such factors that can cause disease and trauma, i.e., non-infectious or sterile inflammation, on their own (Coates, 2022).…”

“…For instance, major obstacles to larval production in hatcheries include diseases caused by opportunistic pathogens, such as vibrios (Sui et al, 2011;Zhang et al, 2014), a lack of knowledge of suitable diets (e.g., Holme et al, 2008;Waiho et al, 2018;Basford et al, 2021) and the cannibalistic behaviour of some crab species (Romano and Zeng, 2017). High stocking densities, poor water quality and other environmental parameters/stressors (e.g., temperature) can tip the balance in favour of the pathogen resulting in disease outbreaks (Coates and Söderhäll, 2021). Emerging diseasesusually defined as diseases that are new or are increasing in prevalence in new areas-can often appear when species are cultivated or moved into new geographical locations.…”

Live holding of red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) and snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) — Effect on microbial growth in processed leg meat during refrigerated storage

“…Water temperature is, in fact, an important factor for crab physiology. At higher water temperatures, lower oxygen levels are present, which has a repercussion on the metabolic functions and the stress-immunity axis of decapod species (Coates and Söderhäll, 2020). The RKC is a cold-water-adapted species typically found at 2-7 • C although tolerating up to 12 • C (Loher and Armstrong, 2005).…”

“…Previous research has demonstrated the presence of functional molecules, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which exhibit antimicrobial activity in marine crustacean decapods, including SC (Beaulieu et al, 2010;El Menif et al, 2018;Haug et al, 2002;Sperstad et al, 2011). AMPs are small cationic peptides that display a broad range of antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Yue et al, 2010); they can typically be found in the hemocytes of the hemolymph of the marine crabs as an integral component of their immune system (Anbuchezian et al, 2018), and their levels and activity can be related to the stress status of the crab (Coates and Söderhäll, 2020). For some crustacean species, including the spider crab (Hyas araneus) and shore crab (Carcinus maenas), AMPs have displayed stability to heat, specifically when exposed to 85 • C for 15 min (Haug et al, 2002) and 100 • C for 10 min (Relf et al, 1999), respectively.…”

The diarrhetic shellfish-poisoning toxin, okadaic acid, provokes gastropathy, dysbiosis and susceptibility to bacterial infection in a non-rodent bioassay, Galleria mellonella

“…Because of the diverse biological properties, distribution, and frequency of DSP toxins in the marine environment, their levels are regulated across Europe-with an upper limit of 160 μg [toxin equivalents] per kg [shellfish tissue]-to protect consumers (O'Mahony 2018). The acute, subacute and chronic, low-dose immunotoxicological effects of shellfish-poisoning toxins (including DSPs) are poorly defined and understudied in humans, as are the detrimental impact they have across marine food webs, including commercial finfish and shellfish (Coates and Söderhäll 2020;Corriere et al 2020, reviewed by Turner et al 2021.…”