Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2017

Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster V48

Research on Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, the causative agent of Proliferative kidney disease (PKD): an emerging pathogen in wild salmonids in Iceland

Höfundar / Authors: Fjóla Rut Svavarsdóttir (1), Mark A. Freeman (2), Þórólfur Antonsson (3), Friðþjófur Árnason (3), Árni Kristmundsson (1)

Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland, 2. Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts West Indies, 3. Marine Research Institute, Reykjavik, Iceland

Kynnir / Presenter: Fjóla Rut Svavarsdóttir

Introduction: Proliferative kidney disease (PKD) is a widespread, serious and temperature dependent disease in salmonids caused by a myxozoan parasite, Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (T.b.). Recent reports, e.g. from Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and USA, suggest that it is an emerging pathogen of wild salmonid populations, most likely as a cause of global warming. PKD was first reported in Iceland in 2008 and subsequently extensive research have been ongoing.
Material & methods: Since 2008, Arctic charr and brown trout from Lake Elliðavatn were annually sampled. Salmonids from numerous other lakes and rivers in Iceland were sampled over the same period. Furthermore, frozen salmonid kidneys from many lakes sampled in the 1990s were available and usable for screening for T.b. Methods applied in this study consisted of macroscopic examination, histology and PCR.
Results & Conclusions: The prevalence of T.b. was high in both Arctic charr and brown trout from Lake Elliðavatn during the years 2008-2016. Proportion of fish showing macroscopic signs of PKD varied between years depending on water temperature, being up to 100% in 1-2 year old fish in warmest summers. The results strongly suggest that PKD is a major factor of influence in the severe decline of Arctic charr population observed in shallow lowland lakes in Iceland.
Based on available data the last two decades, T.b. seems to be widespread and an emerging pathogen in wild salmonids in Icelandic freshwater.