Extracellular Products Associated with Virulent and Avirulent Strains ofEdwardsiella ictalurifrom Channel Catfish

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Abstract
Little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms possessed by Edwardsiella ictaluri, the etiological agent of enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC). Extracellular products probably play a major role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Comparative studies were done to assess the extracellular products present in virulent and in avirulent (attenuated) strains of E. ictaluri. Virulence factors studied were capsule production, detection of surface proteins, and hemolytic and chondroitinase activities. Electron microscopy showed a fibrilar network connecting virulent cells. Virulent isolates had greater amounts of capsular material and surface proteins, and they demonstrated a greater ability to degrade chondroitin than avirulent forms. There was no clear correlation between hemolytic activity and virulence.

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