First Outbreak of Aeromoniasis, Caused by <i>Aeromonas veronii,</i> in Farmed European Seabass (<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>) in the Ionian Sea, Greece

This article documents the first outbreak of aeromoniasis caused by <i>Aeromonas veronii</i> in farmed European seabass (<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>) along the Greek Ionian Sea coast. In late spring 2024, commercially sized fish exhibited anorexia, hemorrhages, and ulcers on...

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Main Authors: Eirini Lampou, Eleni Psychari, Konstantina Louka, Charalampos Kotzamanidis, Andigoni Malousi, Ioannis Petropoulos, Markos N. Kolygas, Dimitrios Doukas, Konstantina Bitchava
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Pathogens
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/6/587
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author Eirini Lampou
Eleni Psychari
Konstantina Louka
Charalampos Kotzamanidis
Andigoni Malousi
Ioannis Petropoulos
Markos N. Kolygas
Dimitrios Doukas
Konstantina Bitchava
author_facet Eirini Lampou
Eleni Psychari
Konstantina Louka
Charalampos Kotzamanidis
Andigoni Malousi
Ioannis Petropoulos
Markos N. Kolygas
Dimitrios Doukas
Konstantina Bitchava
author_sort Eirini Lampou
collection DOAJ
description This article documents the first outbreak of aeromoniasis caused by <i>Aeromonas veronii</i> in farmed European seabass (<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>) along the Greek Ionian Sea coast. In late spring 2024, commercially sized fish exhibited anorexia, hemorrhages, and ulcers on the skin, accompanied by elevated morbidity and mortality rates. The outbreak spread rapidly across local farms in Sagiada Bay, reaching its peak in late summer, and extending into the Astakos Gulf, southern in the Ionian Sea. The postmortem examination revealed hemorrhages, organomegaly, abscess formation, and granulomatous inflammation. <i>Aeromonas veronii</i> was isolated from all examined individuals in nutrient media and confirmed by biochemical and molecular methods. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated genetic homogeneity among two strains from two different areas along the Ionian Sea and a close evolutionary relationship with other <i>Aeromonas veronii</i> strains from the Aegean Sea. Although genetically similar, the isolates exhibited differences in phenotypic and biochemical characteristics, indicating regional variability. The present study provides an overview of the pathology, clinical characteristics and progression of aeromoniasis in Ionian Sea aquaculture, highlighting the need for continued monitoring, in-depth genomic and phenotypic assessment, and the design of region-specific preventive strategies, including autogenous vaccines, for effective disease management.
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spelling doaj-art-e20f6316b3a94f72a7a239f25f2dfdd72025-08-20T03:29:35ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-06-0114658710.3390/pathogens14060587First Outbreak of Aeromoniasis, Caused by <i>Aeromonas veronii,</i> in Farmed European Seabass (<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>) in the Ionian Sea, GreeceEirini Lampou0Eleni Psychari1Konstantina Louka2Charalampos Kotzamanidis3Andigoni Malousi4Ioannis Petropoulos5Markos N. Kolygas6Dimitrios Doukas7Konstantina Bitchava8Department of Aquaculture and Fish Health, Pharmaqua S.A., Metamorfosi, 14451 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Aquaculture and Fish Health, Pharmaqua S.A., Metamorfosi, 14451 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Aquaculture and Fish Health, Pharmaqua S.A., Metamorfosi, 14451 Athens, GreeceVeterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA, 57001 Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Applied Hydrobiology, Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Aquaculture and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, GreeceLaboratory of Animal Pathology & Veterinary Forensics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, GreeceLaboratory of Applied Hydrobiology, Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, GreeceThis article documents the first outbreak of aeromoniasis caused by <i>Aeromonas veronii</i> in farmed European seabass (<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>) along the Greek Ionian Sea coast. In late spring 2024, commercially sized fish exhibited anorexia, hemorrhages, and ulcers on the skin, accompanied by elevated morbidity and mortality rates. The outbreak spread rapidly across local farms in Sagiada Bay, reaching its peak in late summer, and extending into the Astakos Gulf, southern in the Ionian Sea. The postmortem examination revealed hemorrhages, organomegaly, abscess formation, and granulomatous inflammation. <i>Aeromonas veronii</i> was isolated from all examined individuals in nutrient media and confirmed by biochemical and molecular methods. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated genetic homogeneity among two strains from two different areas along the Ionian Sea and a close evolutionary relationship with other <i>Aeromonas veronii</i> strains from the Aegean Sea. Although genetically similar, the isolates exhibited differences in phenotypic and biochemical characteristics, indicating regional variability. The present study provides an overview of the pathology, clinical characteristics and progression of aeromoniasis in Ionian Sea aquaculture, highlighting the need for continued monitoring, in-depth genomic and phenotypic assessment, and the design of region-specific preventive strategies, including autogenous vaccines, for effective disease management.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/6/587seabass<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i><i>Aeromonas veronii</i>aeromoniasisoutbreakIonian Sea
spellingShingle Eirini Lampou
Eleni Psychari
Konstantina Louka
Charalampos Kotzamanidis
Andigoni Malousi
Ioannis Petropoulos
Markos N. Kolygas
Dimitrios Doukas
Konstantina Bitchava
First Outbreak of Aeromoniasis, Caused by <i>Aeromonas veronii,</i> in Farmed European Seabass (<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>) in the Ionian Sea, Greece
Pathogens
seabass
<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>
<i>Aeromonas veronii</i>
aeromoniasis
outbreak
Ionian Sea
title First Outbreak of Aeromoniasis, Caused by <i>Aeromonas veronii,</i> in Farmed European Seabass (<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>) in the Ionian Sea, Greece
title_full First Outbreak of Aeromoniasis, Caused by <i>Aeromonas veronii,</i> in Farmed European Seabass (<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>) in the Ionian Sea, Greece
title_fullStr First Outbreak of Aeromoniasis, Caused by <i>Aeromonas veronii,</i> in Farmed European Seabass (<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>) in the Ionian Sea, Greece
title_full_unstemmed First Outbreak of Aeromoniasis, Caused by <i>Aeromonas veronii,</i> in Farmed European Seabass (<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>) in the Ionian Sea, Greece
title_short First Outbreak of Aeromoniasis, Caused by <i>Aeromonas veronii,</i> in Farmed European Seabass (<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>) in the Ionian Sea, Greece
title_sort first outbreak of aeromoniasis caused by i aeromonas veronii i in farmed european seabass i dicentrarchus labrax i in the ionian sea greece
topic seabass
<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>
<i>Aeromonas veronii</i>
aeromoniasis
outbreak
Ionian Sea
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/6/587
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