Theses and Dissertations

Eda Ozdemir

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Karsi, Attila

Committee Member

Petrie-Hanson, Lora

Committee Member

Lawrence, Mark

Date of Degree

8-10-2018

Original embargo terms

Worldwide

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Veterinary Medical Science

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Veterinary Medicine

Department

Veterinary Medical Science Program

Abstract

Virulent Aeromonas hydrophila (vAh) is an important emerging bacterial pathogen causing motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS) in farmed catfish. Understanding the pathogenicity of the disease is essential for the development of preventive measures. In this study, we aimed to develop a bioluminescent virulent A. hydrophila (BvAh) strain to understand the pathogen-host interactions during infection. To achieve this, a new bioluminescence expression plasmid, pAKgfplux3, was constructed and mobilized to vAh. Catfish were challenged with BvAh using immersion, injection, and adipose fin clip procedures, and bioluminescence signal was tracked in live catfish during infection. We developed a novel BvAh strain for the first time, conducted imaging of BvAh in live fish, detected infection routes and attachment sites of the pathogen, and determined target organs, which provided new insights on the pathogenesis of vAh. MAS progressed better in fish when protection of skin was bypassed. Abraded skin seems to provide a potential portal of entry during vAh infection.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/21203

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