Increased susceptibility of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar to infections with Gyrodactylus derjavini induced by dexamethasone bath treatment
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Dexamethasone, a known immunosuppressant, was administered by bath or injection to Atlantic salmon Salmo salar (Conon stock) to study if this treatment could affect the susceptibility of fish to infections with a Danish strain of Gyrodactylus derjavini (Monogenea). Three groups of S. salar (Conon stock) were immersion treated either with 10, 60 or 240 μg dexamethasone 1-1 water, respectively. In addition, one group (positive control) was treated intraperitoneally with 200 μg dexamethasone per fish and one negative control group was kept untreated. A single G. derjavini parasite was placed on the anal fin of each fish and the infection was subsequently monitored weekly for 6 weeks. An increase in parasite populations on the salmon was positively correlated with the amount of immunosuppressant used. Infection levels in the group immersion treated with dexamethasone (240 μg1-1 water) and in the i.p. treated positive control group were significantly higher compared to the untreated control group.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Helminthology |
Volume | 77 |
Issue number | 1 |
Pages (from-to) | 65-68 |
Number of pages | 4 |
ISSN | 0022-149X |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2003 |
ID: 247151081