PCR TARGETED THE VIRULENCE GENES OF VIBRIO SPECIES AFFECTING LONGNOSE PARROTFISH (Hipposcarus harid) INHABITING THE RED SEA BASIN AT HURGHADA, EGYPT

Mahmoud Hashem1*; Hany M.R. Abdel-Latif 2


and Islam I.Abogabal3

1Department of Fish Diseases and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley Branch, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.

2Department of Poultry and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.

3Water quality management, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), Red Sea branch, Hurghada, Egypt.

* Corresponding author e-mail: dm4467201@vetnv.au.edu.eg

Abstract

Vibriosis is a life-threatening septicemic bacterial disease affecting a wide range of fish species. In this study, several mortalities in the marine Longnose parrotfish, Hipposcarus harid, inhabiting the Red Sea basin in Hurghada, Egypt have been recorded. The clinicopathological picture of the examined fish was investigated, and the bacteriological examination was also done. The retrieved bacterial isolates were phenotypically identified. Further molecular identification of Vibrio spp using a multiplex PCR using different species-specific primers for ToxR (V. alginolyticus), and Tlh (V. parahaemolyticus) virulence genes. The examined fish displayed generalized septicemic signs; hemorrhages of skin and at the base of all fins with tail rot. Additionally, petechiae were found over the liver, congested spleen, intestine and gills, with petechial hemorrhages over the ovaries and peritoneum. Several Vibrio species were identified. It has been found that the prevalence of the identified Vibrio spp was 21.54, and 38.46 % for V. alginolyticus,
and V. parahaemolyticus respectively. It is concluded that multiplex PCR helped the accurate detection of pathogenic Vibrio spp affecting the marine Longnose parrotfish, Hipposcarus harid.

Keywords: Vibriosis – IGS-PCR – Longnose parrotfish.