SBIR-STTR Award

Commercial catfish production is significantly impaired by infectious diseases, a major cause of economic losses to the catfish producer. One of the most detrimental of these infectious diseases is enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri. In 1987, approximately 4 million worth of fish in Mississippi alone died from ESC. Prompt treatment of infected fish increases the chance of successful infection control and lowers the mortality rate. For treatment to be effective, however, early and accurate diagnosis of ESC is essential. Presently, diagnosis of ESC takes several days. Necropsy and bacterial isolation from fish tissues are the conventional means of diagnosis. Bacterial cultures take 24-48 hours to grow. Serologic tests to detect ~, ictaluri antibodies are sensitive, but take 4-24 hours to complete and require the expertise of trained laboratory technicians. A rapid diagnosis of E. ictaluri would allow for immediate treatment of infected catfish decreasing mortality, thereby reducing economic losses to the producer. We propose to provide for such a diagnosis by developing a rapid diagnostic test that can be easily performed on the farm by untrained personnel.Applications:The test we plan to develop has several potential markets in the expanding fish industry. First, private farmers plus national fisheries and hatcheries will be able to utilize the test when they suspect an infectious agent is contaminating ponds and infecting fish. They will benefit when using the test because a prompt diagnosis will be obtained, hence appropriate and immediate therapy can be initiated. This rapid diagnostic test will give producers a competitive advantage justifying the cost of testing. Second, the technology we plan to develop can be applied for use with other pathogenic organisms that affect fish.

Commercial catfish production is significantly impaired by infectious diseases, a major cause of economic losses to the catfish producer. One of the most detrimental is enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri. In 1987, approximately S4 million worth of fish in Mississippi alone died from ESC. Prompt treatment of infected fish increases the chance of successful infection control and lowers the mortality rate. For treatment to be effective, however, early and accurate diagnosis of ESC is essential. A prototype Dot-Enzymc Linked Immunosorbant Assay (Dot-ELISA) to detest A. ictaluri infections in channel catfish has been developed as a result of Phase I research. Our Phase II objectives are to optimize the Dot-ELISA in order to produce a commercial kit that is reliable, quick, and simple to use so that individuals not trained in science can easily run the test and interpret visual results. A rapid diagnosis of A. ictaluri infections will allow for immediate treatment of infected ponds, decreasing both mortality and reduced growth rates and thereby minimizing economic losses to the channel catfish producer.Applications:The test we plan to develop has several potential markets in the expanding fish industry. First, private farmers and national fisheries and hatcheries will be able to test when bacteria infecting fish is suspected. The test's primary advantage is its rapid results, making immediate and appropriate therapy possible. Because of the fast diagnosis, users will have a competitive advantage, justifying the cost of the test. Second, the technology we plan to develop can be applied for use with other pathogenic organisms that affect fish.