Dr. Claudia Hase, associate professor at the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, has clarified the identity of a bacteria that hurt commercial oyster hatcheries in the Pacific Northwest.
Oyster Larval Death was previously thought to be caused by Vibrio tubiashii, but Hase has published a new study showing it was actually caused by a different pathogen:Vibrio coralliilyticus. In addition, the study shows that the bacteria are even more widespread and deadly than previously thought, and that they can infect a variety of fish and shellfish.
Hase’s research team has developed a rapid diagnostic assay for this bacteria that is nearing commercialization, and it may help shellfish farmers, as well as provide a tool in the fight to save coral reefs.
“Although we’ve largely addressed the problems the hatcheries face, these bacteria continue to pose threats to wild oysters,” Häse said. “And corals are still declining in many places, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is dying at an alarming rate. Better diagnostics might help in all of these situations.”
