Overcoming Fish Defences: The Virulence Factors of <i>Yersinia ruckeri</i>

• Main Authors: Agnieszka Wrobel, Jack C. Leo, Dirk Linke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-09-01
• Series: Genes
• Subjects: aquaculture; plasmid; fish disease; <i>Yersinia ruckeri</i>; virulence factor
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/10/9/700

<i>Yersinia ruckeri</i> is the causative agent of enteric redmouth disease, a bacterial infection of marine and freshwater fish. The disease mainly affects salmonids, and outbreaks have significant economic impact on fish farms all over the world. Vaccination routines are in place against the major serotypes of <i>Y. ruckeri</i> but are not effective in all cases. Despite the economic importance of enteric redmouth disease, a detailed molecular understanding of the disease is lacking. A considerable number of mostly omics-based studies have been performed in recent years to identify genes related to <i>Y. ruckeri</i> virulence. This review summarizes the knowledge on <i>Y. ruckeri</i> virulence factors. Understanding the molecular pathogenicity of <i>Y. ruckeri</i> will aid in developing more efficient vaccines and antimicrobial compounds directed against enteric redmouth disease.