Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 01115

Branch : Fish Health Branch

Study Plan Number : 01115

Study Title : Molecular based detection of fish pathogens relevant to the endangered suckers of Upper Klamath Lake and the development of a surrogate laboratory model for disease challenge studies

Starting Date : 07/01/2005

Completion Date : 09/30/2006

Principal Investigator(s) : Ottinger, Chris; Cipriano, Rocco C.; Beauchamp, Katherine A; Densmore, Christine

Primary PI : Ottinger, Chris

Telephone Number : (304) 724-4453

Email Address : cottinger@usgs.gov

SIS Number :

Primary Program Element :

Second Program Element :

Status : Active

Abstract : BACKGROUND
In 1988 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the short-nose (Chasmistes brevirostris) and Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) suckers as endangered species. These listings were prompted by precipitous population declines of these once abundant species. In the Upper Klamath Basin, losses of adult shortnose and Lost River suckers have been associated with diseases caused by several endemic bacteria. During algal blooms in Upper Klamath Lake, both increased pH and elevated ammonia levels were observed. These conditions have caused gill pathologies in the suckers that impair respiration and ion regulation across gill filaments (Lease et al. 2003). The near-anoxic conditions observed during the senescence phase of algal blooms has caused larval and juvenile sucker mortalities in the Upper Klamath Lake (Martin et al. 1999; Sakai et al. 1999). Gill pathology and oxygen stress accompanying algal blooms may not directly cause morbidity and mortality in adult suckers, but these factors are precursors to the development of serious disease. Gill infections caused by Flavobacterium columnare, the primary bacterial pathogen of concern in the Upper Klamath Lake, are believed to be intrinsically related to reduced water quality resulting from algal blooms, but this association has yet to be confirmed (Scott Foott, USFWS, personal communication).
OBJECTIVES
1. Develop a real-time PCR assay for the detection and quantification of F. columnare on the gills of suckers and from environmental samples.

2. A surrogate laboratory-model research system based on white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) will be evaluated for duplication of pathology observed in the Upper Klamath Lake suckers exposed to F. columnare. This model will be used to assess F. columnare virulence and other questions on disease resistance as it relates to potential environmental stressors identified in Upper Klamath Lake. These items are addressed in an appendix to this study plan and such studies will be conducted if the requested reimbursable funds are obtained.
HYPOTHESIS TO BE TESTED
1. A real time PCR assay can be developed to detect and quantify F. columnare in sucker gills and environmental samples.

2. A model for infection and disease associated with F. columnare can be developed using white suckers as a surrogate species for those endangered species of suckers found in the Upper Klamath Lake.

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Branch :	Fish Health Branch
Study Plan Number :	01115
Study Title :	Molecular based detection of fish pathogens relevant to the endangered suckers of Upper Klamath Lake and the development of a surrogate laboratory model for disease challenge studies
Starting Date :	07/01/2005
Completion Date :	09/30/2006
Principal Investigator(s) :	Ottinger, Chris; Cipriano, Rocco C.; Beauchamp, Katherine A; Densmore, Christine
Primary PI :	Ottinger, Chris
Telephone Number :	(304) 724-4453
Email Address :	cottinger@usgs.gov
SIS Number :
Primary Program Element :
Second Program Element :
Status :	Active
Abstract :	BACKGROUND In 1988 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the short-nose (Chasmistes brevirostris) and Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) suckers as endangered species. These listings were prompted by precipitous population declines of these once abundant species. In the Upper Klamath Basin, losses of adult shortnose and Lost River suckers have been associated with diseases caused by several endemic bacteria. During algal blooms in Upper Klamath Lake, both increased pH and elevated ammonia levels were observed. These conditions have caused gill pathologies in the suckers that impair respiration and ion regulation across gill filaments (Lease et al. 2003). The near-anoxic conditions observed during the senescence phase of algal blooms has caused larval and juvenile sucker mortalities in the Upper Klamath Lake (Martin et al. 1999; Sakai et al. 1999). Gill pathology and oxygen stress accompanying algal blooms may not directly cause morbidity and mortality in adult suckers, but these factors are precursors to the development of serious disease. Gill infections caused by Flavobacterium columnare, the primary bacterial pathogen of concern in the Upper Klamath Lake, are believed to be intrinsically related to reduced water quality resulting from algal blooms, but this association has yet to be confirmed (Scott Foott, USFWS, personal communication). OBJECTIVES 1. Develop a real-time PCR assay for the detection and quantification of F. columnare on the gills of suckers and from environmental samples. 2. A surrogate laboratory-model research system based on white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) will be evaluated for duplication of pathology observed in the Upper Klamath Lake suckers exposed to F. columnare. This model will be used to assess F. columnare virulence and other questions on disease resistance as it relates to potential environmental stressors identified in Upper Klamath Lake. These items are addressed in an appendix to this study plan and such studies will be conducted if the requested reimbursable funds are obtained. HYPOTHESIS TO BE TESTED 1. A real time PCR assay can be developed to detect and quantify F. columnare in sucker gills and environmental samples. 2. A model for infection and disease associated with F. columnare can be developed using white suckers as a surrogate species for those endangered species of suckers found in the Upper Klamath Lake.
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U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility