Duration of Infectivity of the Causative Agent for Abalone “Amyotrophia” in Sea Water

Abstract

The duration of infectivity of the causative agent of “amyotrophia” of juvenile abalone, Haliotis discus, in sea water was examined by experimental infection. A filtrate (0.45μm) of diseased abalone homogenate was added to sterile sea water and stored at 10°C, 18°C or 25°C for 5, 10 or 20 days. After storage, juvenile abalones were exposed to the filtrate-containing sea water for 20 minutes, and reared for 80 days. The occurrence of infection was determined by examining abalones histopathologically. As a result, the infectivity of the agent was lost in 5 days at 25°C or 20 days at 18°C, but maintained for 20 days at 10°C.