Francisella piscicida

Francisella piscicida is a gram-negative bacteria species that belongs to the Francisellaceae family. It is a pathogenic bacterium that primarily affects fish, causing a disease known as Francisellosis.

Taxonomy

The bacterium was first identified and named in 2007. It belongs to the Francisella genus, which is part of the Thiotrichales order. The genus also includes other species such as Francisella tularensis and Francisella philomiragia, which are known to cause diseases in humans and animals.

Characteristics

Francisella piscicida is a small, aerobic bacterium that is coccobacillus in shape. It is non-motile and does not form spores. The bacterium is catalase and oxidase negative, and can grow in both MacConkey agar and Cystine Heart Agar supplemented with hemoglobin.

Pathogenicity

Francisella piscicida is the causative agent of Francisellosis in fish, a serious systemic disease that can lead to high mortality rates in affected populations. The bacterium can infect a wide range of fish species, including tilapia, cod, and salmon. Infection usually occurs through the gills, and the bacteria can spread to various organs, causing inflammation and tissue damage.

Treatment and Control

Treatment of Francisellosis is challenging due to the bacterium's resistance to many common antibiotics. Control measures typically involve improving water quality and reducing stress in fish populations. Vaccines are also being developed to provide immunity against the disease.

See Also

• Francisella
• Francisellosis
• Fish diseases

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