Experimental induction of motile Aeromonas septicemia in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) by waterborne challenge with virulent Aeromonas hydrophila

•Wounding was the key factor that predisposes catfish to virulent A. hydrophila infection.•Relatively uniform wound was created by clipping part of adipose fin (Af).•Af-clipped fish were highly susceptible to A. hydrophila, showing typical symptoms.•An effective and reproducible waterborne challenge model was developed in this study. Motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS), caused by virulent clonal isolates of Aeromonas hydrophila (vAh), is emerging as a major disease in catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) aquaculture in the Southeastern United States. Predisposing conditions leading to vAh infection in catfish were however largely unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate factors that predispose catfish to vAh infection and establish a waterborne challenge model that mimics natural occurrence of MAS. Results of this study indicated that wounding on the fish body surface was one of the key factors that predisposed catfish to vAh infection via waterborne route. Relatively uniform wounds were created by clipping part of the fish adipose fin. Adipose fin clipped (Af-clipped) fish behaved normally in terms of swimming and feeding and no mortality occurred in the control treatment (a mock challenge). When subjected to challenge in vAh-infected water, Af-clipped fish were highly susceptible, showing typical symptoms of MAS observed in the field. The mortality rate of Af-clipped fish was significantly associated with vAh concentration, challenge time and water temperature. About 90% mortality occurred within 48h when Af-clipped fish were challenged for 1h with vAh at the concentration of 2×107 colony forming units per mL of water (27±1°C). The waterborne challenge model was further tested using four field isolates including A. hydrophila and A. veronii. All vAh isolates caused about 90% mortality of Af-clipped fish and one isolate of Aeromonas veronii caused no mortality under the same challenge conditions. The waterborne challenge model described in this study would facilitate urgently-needed studies of MAS prevention (such as wound avoidance and healing) and control (such as prophylactic vaccination; antibiotics treatment and probiotics screening).