Comparative experimental transmission of pancreas disease in Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout

The effects of experimental transmission of pancreas disease (PD) were compared in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and brown trout Salmo trutta in fresh water. Only Atlantic salmon developed a total loss of exocrine pancreas acinar cells, which is used to diagnose PD. Brown trout were the least susceptible, exhibiting focal necrosis in an otherwise normal-appearing pancreas. The effect in rainbow trout was intermediate between that seen in salmon and brown trout.