Flavobacterium psychrophilum is the causative agent of bacterial cold-water disease (BCWD) in salmonids worldwide, resulting in substantial economic losses in aquaculture. Prevention of this disease mainly relies on antibiotics and no licensed commercial vaccines are currently available. It has been verified that the type IX secretion system (T9SS) is involved in the pathogenesis of F. psychrophilum but the mechanism is not well understood. Genetic manipulation of F. psychrophilum strains has been problematic, hampering our ability to better understand host-pathogen interactions as a step toward improved control measures. In this talk, I will present our recent breakthrough on the development of genetic manipulation tools in F. psychrophilum, discuss the roles of T9SS and other possible virulence factors, and initiate discussions on developing feasible strategies, such as using live attenuated vaccines, to prevent BCWD.
Period
6 Sept 2024
Held at
Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute of CASF