Overview
Vibrio galatheae is a recently described member of the Vibrionaceae family that was originally isolated from mussels in marine environments. While initially characterized for its ecological role in chitin colonization and potential for producing bioactive compounds, V. galatheae has been identified as a possible opportunistic pathogen in aquaculture settings. This marine bacterium contributes to the understanding of bacterial diversity in marine ecosystems and represents an emerging concern for aquaculture operations, particularly in live feed systems.
Affected species (hosts)
Documented Hosts:
- Mussels – original isolation source
- Aquaculture live feeds – potential pathogen presence
Potential Aquaculture Hosts:
- Fish species in aquaculture systems (opportunistic infections)
- Other marine invertebrates in culture systems
- Various shellfish species (based on original mussel isolation)
Pathogenicity Status: Current research has not established V. galatheae as a confirmed pathogen of fish, corals, or other marine invertebrates. It is mentioned as a possible or opportunistic pathogen in aquaculture settings, but this is not substantiated by experimental infection data or documented outbreak reports.
Ecological Role and Marine Diversity
Marine Bacterial Diversity. V. galatheae contributes significantly to understanding marine bacterial diversity within the Vibrionaceae family. As a novel species, it expands our knowledge of the ecological roles that different Vibrio species play in marine environments.
Chitin Colonization: Research has identified V. galatheae’s role in chitin colonization, which is an important ecological function in marine environments where chitin is abundant from crustacean shells and other sources. This capability suggests it may play a role in nutrient cycling in marine ecosystems.
Bioactive Compound Production: Studies have explored V. galatheae’s potential for producing bioactive compounds, indicating possible biotechnological applications. This characteristic is common among marine vibrios and may contribute to their competitive advantage in marine environments.
Molecular Identification: V. galatheae has been included in molecular identification studies of Vibrionaceae species, contributing to improved detection and classification methods for marine bacterial communities. Proper identification is crucial for distinguishing it from other vibrios in marine samples.
Management and Prevention Strategies
Prevention. Implement standard biosecurity measures in aquaculture operations, including regular monitoring of live feed quality and maintaining optimal water conditions. Quarantine protocols for new stock should be maintained.
Live Feed Management. Since V. galatheae has been detected in aquaculture live feeds, careful screening and quality control of feed sources is recommended. Monitor bacterial loads in live feed cultures regularly.
Environmental Monitoring: Regular monitoring of bacterial communities in aquaculture systems can help detect the presence of potentially opportunistic vibrios like V. galatheae before they become problematic.
Water Quality Management: Maintain optimal environmental conditions including temperature, salinity, and nutrient levels to reduce stress on cultured organisms and minimize opportunities for opportunistic infections.
Research Needs: Given the limited evidence for pathogenicity, continued research is needed to clarify V. galatheae’s role as a potential pathogen and to develop specific management strategies if warranted.
V. galatheae in reef tanks
Prevalence
Looking at how common this pathogen is in other tanks can help you gauge whether finding it in your tank is expected or unusual.
Abundance Distribution
Comparing the levels of this pathogen in your tank with those found in other tanks provides a context for interpreting your test results.
References
Giubergia, S., & Gram, L. (2016). Marine Vibrionaceae as a reservoir for bioprospecting and ecology studies. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Available at: https://consensus.app
Skliros, D., Kostakou, M., Kokkari, C., Tsertou, M., Pavloudi, C., Zafeiropoulos, H., Katharios, P., & Flemetakis, E. (2024). Unveiling Emerging Opportunistic Fish Pathogens in Aquaculture: A Comprehensive Seasonal Study of Microbial Composition in Mediterranean Fish Hatcheries. Microorganisms, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12112281
Machado, H., Cardoso, J., Giubergia, S., Rapacki, K., & Gram, L. (2017). FurIOS: A Web-Based Tool for Identification of Vibrionaceae Species Using the fur Gene. Frontiers in Microbiology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00414
Thode, S., Rojek, E., Kozlowski, M., Ahmad, R., & Haugen, P. (2018). Distribution of siderophore gene systems on a Vibrionaceae phylogeny: Database searches, phylogenetic analyses and evolutionary perspectives. PLoS ONE, 13. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0191860
Gamiz-Arco, G., Risso, V., Gaucher, E., Gavira, J., Naganathan, A., Ibarra-Molero, B., & Sanchez-Ruiz, J. (2021). Combining ancestral reconstruction with folding-landscape simulations to engineer heterologous protein expression. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.07.16.452635