Author(s): Yosra M I El Sherry, Mahmoud M Mahmoud, Ebtsam S Hassan, Sabah I Mustafa, Ahmad A Elkamel

Abstract: Vibriosis is one of the major disease problems in shellfish. The infection is induced by several species of the genus Vibrio. The aim of the current study was to investigate infection with Vibrio spp. in red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, in Assiut, Egypt. Isolation and identification of different Vibrio spp. from the hemolymph and hepatopancreas of the red swamp crayfish in the River Nile and its tributaries were done. The isolates were characterized both biophysically and biochemically. Further characterization was achieved using PCR targeting 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer (IGS) regions of the genome. Results revealed that red swamp crayfish collected were infected with 10 different Vibrio spp. including V. vulnificus as the predominant species. The pathogenicity of a selected V. vulnificus isolate to red swamp crayfish was investigated through an experimental challenge via injection into the hemolymph. Characteristic signs and lesions appeared two weeks after challenge and included melanized spots on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the body, melanization of both gills and hepatopancreas, and subsequently shell deformities. Eventually, challenged crayfish recovered by day 36 post challenge.

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