Experimental Horizontal Transmission of Enterocytozoon salmonis to Chinook Salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Abstract

Enterocytozoon salmonis was transmitted to chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha by feeding tissues infected with the parasite and by cohabitation of noninfected fish with experimentally infected fish. Affected fish (dead and survivors) in both transmission trials had gross and microscopic signs of the disease and merogonic and sporogonic stages of the parasite. There were no morbidities or mortalities, or evidence of the parasite among control fish in either study. Results suggest that the parasite may be contracted by indirect contact among healthy and infected fish held in crowded ponds or net pens or by direct ingestion of spores found in the water.