The first outbreak of bacterial kidney disease (BKD) of salmonids occurred in the autumn of 1973 in Hokkaido, Japan. Subsequently, outbreaks of BKD were confirmed in Hokkaido and main land of Japan. Most of the cases were caused by imported eyed eggs of coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch. In this review, pathogenicity of the causative agent R. salmoninarum (Rs), culture methods of Rs, serological and Rs specific gene detection methods for diagnoses, disease signs of infected fish, and distribution of BKD in Japan are described. Also, preventive measures of vertical transmission and control methods of BKD are introduced.
