A novel bacterial infection of the edible crab, Cancer pagurus

J Invertebr Pathol. 2016 Jan:133:83-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.12.002. Epub 2015 Dec 7.

Abstract

There are few reports of bacterial diseases in crabs. A juvenile edible crab (Cancer pagurus) with a rickettsial-like infection was found in the intertidal zone at Freshwater East in South West Wales in July, 2012. Large numbers of bacteria-like particles were found in the haemolymph and within fixed phagocytes of the hepatopancreas. Molecular sequencing and subsequent phylogenetic analysis showed that the infectious agent was a member of the order Rhizobiales and therefore distinct to bacteria classified as rickettsia.

Keywords: Bacterial septicaemia; Crustacean; Rickettsia-like infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alphaproteobacteria / genetics*
  • Alphaproteobacteria / physiology
  • Animals
  • Brachyura / microbiology*
  • Hemolymph / microbiology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Phagocytes / microbiology
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / chemistry
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Wales

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S