The present study describes the first case of Staphylococcus warneri and Staphylococcus warneri co-infection in Siberian sturgeons (Acipenser baerii) and hybrid sturgeons (Huso huso x Acipenser baerii). On a sturgeon farm with recirculation aquaculture systems in North Bulgaria, an average daily mortality of 30 fish has occurred. The main pathological findings consisted in ulcerations on the skin, multiple haemorrhages on the ventral part of the body, yellow-tinted muscles with multiple haemorrhages, hyperemic spleen, yellow ochre coloured liver with frail consistency and surface petechial haemorrhages. Mesenteric blood vessels were hyperemic, and intestines were filled with bloody liquid content. Pure bacterial cultures of Staphylococcus warneriwere isolated from liver and spleen, and Staphylococcus warneri- from intestines. Histopathological examination was done. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates was determined.

Keywords: Staphylococcus warneri; Staphylococcus warneri; Siberian sturgeon; hybrid sturgeon; co-infection

Fish are in continuous contact with microorganisms in the water and sediment, which influences the microbial species diversity on their skin, gills and alimentary tract [1]. Although all microorganisms are part of the normal aquatic environment, some opportunistic pathogens cause bacterial diseases in fish with high mortality rates [2]. Examples are several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including Staphylococcus warneri(S. warneri) and Staphylococcus warneri (S. putrefaciens) [3].

From pond water samples at a fish farm, Newaj-Fyzul et al. [4] isolated Gram-positive bacteria identified as Staphylococcus spp. In the belief of Musharrafieh et al. [5] S. warneri is a part of the normal fish microflora, but Gil et al. [6] were the first to describe a disease on rainbow trouts caused by S. warneri, which makes it an opportunistic pathogen. Thereafter, Metin et al. [7] also reported S. warneri infection in rainbow trouts.

S. putrefaciens is a Gram-negative facultatively anaerobic bacterium from the Shewanellaceae family. It is usually isolated from sea water, sediment and marine fish [8,9]. The first outbreak of disease caused by S. putrefaciens was described by Saeed et al. [10]. Kozinska & Pekala [8] and Pekala et al. [11] also reported S. putrefaciens infection in fish.

The present study describes the first case of S. warneri and S. putrefaciens co-infection in Siberian sturgeons (Acipenser baerii) and hybrid sturgeons (Huso huso x Acipenser baerii).

On a sturgeon farm with recirculation aquaculture systems in North Bulgaria, an average daily mortality of 30 fish has occurred in September 2015 among fish weighing 200-800 g. In this study, a total of 10 fish were used (5 Siberian and 5 hybrid sturgeons).

Gross anatomy findings consisted in ulcerations, 1 to 1.5cm in diameter (Figure 1) on the skin and multiple haemorrhages on the ventral part of the body. After dissection of the abdominal cavity, yellow-tinted muscles with multiple haemorrhages were observed (Figure 2). The spleen was hyperemic. The liver was of yellow ochre colour, frail consistency and surface petechial haemorrhages. Small gray-yellowish nodules were detected in some areas. Mesenteric blood vessels were hyperemic, and intestines were filled with bloody liquid content.

Figure 1: Ulcerations of the skin (arrows).

Figure 2: Multiple haemorrhages on the affected muscles (arrows).

The specimens for histopathological examination were fixed in 10% neutral formalin and processed by routine histology techniques [12,13]. Cross sections (4 μm) were stained with haematoxylin-eosin (H/E).

For microbiology examination, samples from skin lesions, liver, spleen and intestines were collected and cultured on tryptic soy agar (Fluca, India) supplemented with 5% defibrinated ovine blood (TSBA), MacConkey agar (NCIPD, Bulgaria) and GSP agar (Merck, Germany). Plates were incubated aerobically at 37 °C for 24-48 h. In addition, the samples were cultured on blood agar with 2% NaCl at room temperature for 48 h. Isolates were further identified by using BioLog Gen III microplates identification system (BioLog, USA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates was determined by agar diffusion test according to CLSI [14] with the following antimicrobial discs: penicillin 10E, ceftazidime 30µg, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 20/10µg, erythromycin 15µg, enrofloxacin 5µg, chloramphenicol 30µg, flumequine 30µg and tetracycline 30µg. Disks were supplied by Oxoid (UK) and NCIPD (Bulgaria).

Pure bacterial cultures were isolated from liver, spleen and intestines. Primary identification of the liver and spleen isolates revealed Gram-positive cocci in clusters, catalase-positive and oxidase negative. Results showed species affiliation to Staphylococcus warneriwith a probability of 0.980 in two independent trials. The biochemical profile of the isolates based on positive reactions is presented in Table 1.

From intestines, Gram staining showed Gram-negative straight and slightly curved rods that gave strong positive reactions in catalase and oxidase tests. Furthermore, the colonies were brown pigmented and lactose-negative on MacConkey agar. The isolate was defined as Staphylococcus warneri B with BioLog Gen III system with a high probability of 0.989 in two subsequent trials. The positive biochemical reactions are given in Table 2.

The histopathological exam showed dystrophy of renal parenchyma and catarrhal enteritis of intestines. The major part of epithelial cells were detached from the basement membrane and shed into the intestinal lumen (Figure 3). The most obvious changes were detected in the liver. Multiple small clear lacunae (vacuoles) were seen in the cytoplasm of liver cells: lipid droplets extracted during the processing of the specimen (Figure 4). The nuclei of many cells were of the reduced size, angular and intensively stained (karyopyknosis). The chromatin of other cells was gathered into small clusters around the nuclear membrane (hyperchromatosis of the nuclear membrane). At some areas dystrophic processes have evolved into necrobiotic in single liver cells or in cell groups. Consequently, the nuclei of affected cells exhibited a various stage of karyolysis or were completely lysed, and cell boundaries have become indistinct. Vascular hyperaemia was established in the connective tissue stroma.

Figure 3: Catarrhal enteritis. Numerous epithelial cells are detached from the basement membrane and shed into the lumen of the intestine (arrows). H/E, magnification 10×.

Figure 4: Fatty liver dystrophy. In the cytoplasm of liver cells, multiple small clear lacunae (vacuoles) could be seen, representing lipid droplets extracted during the processing of the specimen (arrows). H/E, magnification 20×.

The Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) is sensitive to various diseases as White sturgeon iridovirus (WSIV), White sturgeon herpesviruses- 1, 2 (WSHV - 1, 2), Shovenose sturgeon iridovirus (SSIV), White sturgeon adenovirus (WSAV) [15], vibriosis, pasteurellosis [16], aeromonosis [17], yersiniosis [18]. This is the first study describing the co-infection caused by S. warneri and S. putrefaciens in Siberian sturgeons (Acipenser baerii) and hybrid sturgeons (Huso huso x Acipenser baerii).

Two cases of S. warneri infection in fish are reported. Gil et al. [6] were the first to describe a disease on rainbow trouts caused by S. warneri. Affected trouts demonstrated fin ulcerations, exophthalmia, distended abdomens as a result of accumulated ascitic fluid and liver discoloration. A similar condition in rainbow trouts provoked by S. warneri is also reported by Metin et al. [7]. The clinical signs included lethargy, anorexia, erosive lesions on anal fins’ base, haemorrhages in the eyes, mouth and the anus, anal prolapse and dark pigmentation. The necropsy revealed liver haemorrhages, splenomegaly, enlarged kidneys and yellow exudate in the intestine, liver discoloration, haemorrhages and lysis of muscles. Saeed et al. [10] reported high death rates in rabbitfish (Siganus rivulatus) reared in net cages in the Red Sea. The diseased fish exhibited discoloration, haemorrhagic necroses on the body and the mouth, frayed fins and exophthalmia. In Poland, Kozinska and Pekala [8] isolated a variety of bacteria from the internal organs of carps and trouts exhibiting lethargy, skin discoloration and death, but the predominant species was S. putrefaciens. According to the authors S. putrefaciens is an opportunistic pathogen for fish causing illness at certain conditions as stress or in fish with compromised immune defense. Recently, Pekala et al. [11] reported a disease on carps and trouts with gill necrosis or skin ulcerations, cause by S. putrefaciens. Gross anatomy findings consisted in haemorrhages, oedematous kidneys and enlarged spleen. The findings of these authors are comparable with ours.

Metin et al. [7] affirmed that staphylococcosis was an economic problem in fish farms and recommended observation of veterinary sanitary measures. Moreover, S. warneri and S. putrefaciens can cause infections in human [19,20]. The described pathological, histological and microbiological findings in this case clearly demonstrated the pathogenic potential of S. warneri and S. putrefaciens in Siberian sturgeons and hybrid sturgeons. The most obvious changes were established in the liver and intestine where S. warneri and S. putrefaciens were respectively isolated from. We deem that the present work will add to the clinical and laboratory experience.

We have no conflict of interest to declare.