Histopathology, bacteriology and experimental transmission of cold-water vibriosis in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

In Scotland, low level mortalities in farmed Atlantic salmon were associated with a bacterium which had properties generally associated wlth the genus Vibno, but which did not resemble any previously described species. In naturally infected fish extensive sloughing and necrosis of the gut mucosa, haemorrhaging, and an increase in perltoneal exudate were recorded. Similar lesions were produced in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. experimentally infected with the bacterium. This disease outbreak resembles the condition referred to as 'Hitra disease' in Norway.