H ATCHERY I N T E R N AT IO N A L
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 >> 33
SHOWCASE
New diagnostic tools for the
management of saprolegniosis
The external fungus-like infection known as
saprolegniosis is caused by species of Saprolegnia and
can be a problem for many species of freshwater fish.
Mycologic Inc., a biotechnology company at the
University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada
has developed some molecular diagnostic tools for
detecting this opportunistic pathogen. According to
Mycologic, these tools will be useful to fish health
staff by reducing the impact of this pathogen through
more effective disease management.
The diagnostic tools can be used to detect the
presence of Saprolegnia in water samples much earlier
than a visual inspection of fish, notes a press release
from the company, as well as quantify the level of
inoculum present.
“The affected facility can then be treated earlier
and with greater impact,” says Dr. Paul de la Bastide,
President of Mycologic. “Knowing the extent of the
problem as well as catching it earlier, results in a smaller, targeted treatment, thus reducing
the impact on fish, as well as the cost of the treatment.”
The tools will also allow efficacy determination when using anti-fungal products, as
well as confirm the effectiveness of routine water treatments in recirculation systems (e.g.,
H2O2, biofilters, UV treatments, etc.). They can be applied to water samples, to swabs
from work surfaces, as well as to tissue samples. Eggs, fry or fish can be screened and allow
management decisions to be made before stock is moved to a different facility.
For more information go to www.mycologic.ca
Portable counter tallies
microorganisms in seconds
XpertSea, a Canadian company based in
Quebec, is marketing an innovative device
for rapidly counting tiny marine organisms
that are routinely used in marine and
freshwater aquaculture facilities.
According to XpertSea, the portable
XperCount is easy to use and low
maintenance. To operate, the user simply
pours liquid containing organisms (larvae,
microalgae, plankton, rotifers, artemia,
etc) into the plastic bucket, places the
integrated user interface on top of the
bucket, and pushes a built-in count button.
The results, says XpertSea, come up on the
digital read-out in seconds. Measurements
can be performed using liquid volumes
from 10mL up to 10L
The device can count organisms in the
micron range with accuracies, claims the company, of 95% and higher. The display
outputs units such as total number of organisms or concentration of organisms per
milliliter.
For more information go to www.xpertsea.com
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