Seasonal infection intensity cycle of the parasite Perkinsus marinus (and an absence of Haplosporidium spp.) in oysters from a South Carolina salt marsh

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Abstract
Investigation of the prevalence of the protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus in populations of intertidal oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from a South Carolina salt marsh led to the finding of a distinct, 4 phase cycle of infection intensity. The cycle consisted of characteristic quiescent, pre-virulent, virulent and remission stages of infection. For the first time, P. marinus infection intensity in South Carolina oysters was found to have a statistically significant positive correlation with temperature and salinity, and a negative correlation with oyster condition index. Our data also indicated that P. marinus infection in adult oysters from South Carolina is not size dependent. Based on a limited, qualitative histopathological examination of oyster tissue samples, we found no evidence to indicate the presence of Haplosporidium spp. in the North Inlet salt marsh/estuary system. These results strongly suggest that highly localized mass mortalities of oysters in North Inlet have been due to virulent levels of P. marinus infections.

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