Differential characterization of emerging skin diseases of rainbow trout - a standardized approach to capturing disease characteristics and development of case definitions

Citation

Oidtmann B, LaPatra SE, Verner-Jeffreys DW, Pond M, Peeler EJ, Noguera PA, Bruno DW, St-Hilaire S, Schubiger CB, Snekvik K, Crumlish M, Green D, Metselaar M, Rodger HD, Schmidt-Posthaus H, Galeotti M & Feist SW (2013) Differential characterization of emerging skin diseases of rainbow trout - a standardized approach to capturing disease characteristics and development of case definitions. Journal of Fish Diseases, 36 (11), pp. 921-937. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.12086

Abstract
Farmed and wild salmonids are affected by a variety of skin conditions, some of which have significant economic and welfare implications. In many cases, the causes are not well understood, and one example is cold water strawberry disease of rainbow trout, also called red mark syndrome, which has been recorded in the UK since 2003. To date, there are no internationally agreed methods for describing these conditions, which has caused confusion for farmers and health professionals, who are often unclear as to whether they are dealing with a new or a previously described condition. This has resulted, inevitably, in delays to both accurate diagnosis and effective treatment regimes. Here, we provide a standardized methodology for the description of skin conditions of rainbow trout of uncertain aetiology. We demonstrate how the approach can be used to develop case definitions, using coldwater strawberry disease as an example.

Keywords
cold water strawberry disease; rainbow trout; red mark syndrome; skin diseases; US rash; US strawberry disease

Journal
Journal of Fish Diseases: Volume 36, Issue 11

People

Professor Margaret Crumlish

Professor, Institute of Aquaculture

Dr Darren Green

Senior Lecturer, Institute of Aquaculture