Controlled Infection Experiment With Aphanomyces astaci Provides Additional Evidence for Latent Infections and Resistance in Freshwater Crayfish

For 150 years the crayfish plague disease agent Aphanomyces astaci has been cause of mass mortalities among native European populations. However, recently several studies have highlighted great variability A. virulence and resistance toward disease. The main aim this study was to compare response two species, noble ( Astacus astacus ) invasive alien marbled Procambarus virginalis ), an challenge with a highly virulent strain from haplogroup B lowly In controlled infection experiment we showed high against infection, zoospores being able infect crayfish, but unable signs Furthermore, demonstrated reduced in belonging A, as shown by light symptoms lack mortality generally susceptible crayfish. Interestingly, both challenged strain, observed significant decrease detected amount pathogen’s DNA during experiment, suggesting that A decreased ability penetrating into cuticle Our results provide additional evidence how drastically strains differ their virulence. This confirmed adaptation one specific novel hosts, supposedly due feature might be consequence ’s penetrate Finally, experimentally are remarkably resistant could potentially latently infected, acting carriers strains.