Vibrio tubiashii

  • Mollusc pathogen

Overview

Vibrio tubiashii is a Gram-negative marine bacterium that serves as a major pathogen of shellfish larvae and juvenile molluscs in aquaculture systems worldwide. First recognized as a significant threat to oyster hatcheries, this temperature-sensitive pathogen has been responsible for severe mortality events in Pacific and Eastern oysters, geoducks, and other bivalves. Historically confused with the closely related V. coralliilyticus, V. tubiashii represents one of the most economically important bacterial pathogens in marine aquaculture.

Affected species (hosts)

Primary Shellfish Hosts:

  • Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) – highly susceptible larvae
  • Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) – particularly vulnerable larvae
  • Geoduck clams (Panopea generosa)
  • Various clam species in aquaculture

Secondary Marine Hosts:

  • Some marine fish species (though V. harveyi often the actual cause)
  • Coralline algae (reef-building species)
  • Occasionally implicated in coral diseases (though often misidentified V. coralliilyticus)

Taxonomic Confusion and Misidentification Issues

Historical Misclassification. One of the most important aspects of V. tubiashii research is the widespread historical confusion with V. coralliilyticus. Many strains previously identified as V. tubiashii in coral disease studies have been reclassified as V. coralliilyticus, which is actually more virulent to both corals and oyster larvae.

Detection Challenges: This misidentification has significant implications for disease management, as the two species have different host preferences, virulence factors, and environmental triggers. Proper molecular identification using species-specific qPCR assays is essential for accurate diagnosis.

Ecological Niche Separation: True V. tubiashii appears more specialized for shellfish pathogenesis, while V. coralliilyticus has broader host range including corals. However, both species can cause larval oyster mortality, with V. coralliilyticus generally being more virulent.

Geographic Distribution: V. tubiashii outbreaks have been well-documented on the US West Coast, in European oyster hatcheries (particularly France), and in various aquaculture regions worldwide. Environmental factors like temperature and upwelling events strongly influence outbreak severity.

Management and Prevention Strategies

Since this is primarily a concern for mollusc aquaculture, we don’t have any suggestions for its management in reef tanks. 

V. tubiashii in reef tanks

Prevalence

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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

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Comparing the levels of this pathogen in your tank with those found in other tanks provides a context for interpreting your test results.

References

Elston, R., et al. (2008). Re-emergence of Vibrio tubiashii in bivalve shellfish aquaculture: severity, environmental drivers, geographic extent and management. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 82(2), 119-134. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao01982

Richards, G.P., et al. (2014). Mortalities of Eastern and Pacific oyster larvae caused by the pathogens Vibrio coralliilyticus and Vibrio tubiashii. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 81(1), 292-297. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.02930-14

Wilson, B., et al. (2013). An improved detection and quantification method for the coral pathogen Vibrio coralliilyticus. PLoS ONE, 8(12), e81800. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0081800

Travers, M.A., et al. (2014). First description of French V. tubiashii strains pathogenic to mollusk: I. Characterization of isolates and detection during mortality events. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 123, 38-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2014.04.009

Ushijima, B., et al. (2018). Factors affecting infection of corals and larval oysters by Vibrio coralliilyticus. PLoS ONE, 13(6), e0199475. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0199475

Séré, M.G., et al. (2015). Identification of a bacterial pathogen associated with Porites white patch syndrome in the Western Indian Ocean. Molecular Ecology, 24(19), 4952-4967. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.13326

Sanches-Fernandes, G.M.M., et al. (2022). Vibriosis outbreaks in aquaculture: addressing environmental and public health concerns and preventive therapies using gilthead seabream farming as a model system. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 904815. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.904815

Biel, F., et al. (2014). Autolysis in Vibrio tubiashii and Vibrio coralliilyticus. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 60(2), 57-63. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2013-0654

Ben-Haim, Y., et al. (2003). Vibrio coralliilyticus sp. nov., a temperature-dependent pathogen of the coral Pocillopora damicornis. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 53(1), 309-315. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijs.0.02402-0

Meistertzheim, A.L., et al. (2017). Pathobiomes differ between two diseases affecting reef building coralline algae. Frontiers in Microbiology, 8, 1686. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01686