19039 - Infectious Diseases of Aquatic Animals and Veterinary Hygiene

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will be familiar with the tools to prevent, diagnose and control major infectious diseases of aquatic animals, with particular reference to the diseases with high economic impact, to those subject to measures of animal health and zoonoses. The student will be able to set up a differential diagnosis in the course of health issues related to aquatic animals to enable him/her to choose the diagnostic process to be pursued. The student will be able to choose and properly handle the biological sample suitable for the diagnosis. He/She knows the available diagnostic methods for major infectious diseases of aquatic animals, the potentialities and the limitations of current therapeutic and prophylactic treatments available in aquaculture and the mandatory activities and official interlocutors in the field of animal health to undertake aquaculture activities.

Course contents

The course consists of three Modules dealing with major infectious diseases of aquatic animals both vertebrate and invertebrate and veterinary hygiene respectively.

Lessons on major Infectious Diseases of Aquatic Animals address etiopathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and control methods of each disease as well as Italian and EU legislation referred to their control. Diseases will be illustrated according to major species affected and the environmental context they emerge.

Module on infectious diseases of vertebrate aquatic animals (40 hours)

Major infectious diseases affecting trout and salmon: viral hemorrhagic septicemia, infectious hematopoietic necrosis, infectious pancreatic necrosis, enteric redmouth disease, vibriosis, furunculosis, motile Aeromonas septicaemia, Flavobacteriaceae infection, bacterial kidney disease, streptococcosis (18 hours).

Major infectious diseases affecting marine fish: lymphocystis, viral encephalopathy and retinopathy, vibriosis, photobacteriosis, tenacibaculosis, mycobacteriosis (14 hours).

Major infectious diseases affecting carp, catfish and other freshwater fish: spring viremia of carp, Koi herpevirus disease, Koi sleepy disease, carp erythrodermatitis and infections with atypical strains of Aeromona salmonicida, motile Aeromonas infection, viral infections of Ictalurus melas, Channel catfish herpesvirus, edwardsiellosis, Edwardsiella tarda infection (8 hours).

Module on infectious diseases of invertebrate aquatic animals (20 hours)

Major infectious diseases affecting bivalve molluscs: Ostreid herpesvirus disease (OsHV-1 μVar); major bacterial diseases caused by Vibrio species (V. aestuarianus, V. splendidus, V. harveyi and related species), Nocardia spp., and other bacterial pathogens of importance in shellfish aquaculture (6 hours).

Major infectious diseases affecting decapod crustaceans: White Spot Disease (WSD), Yellow Head Disease (YHD), Infectious Hypodermal and Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHHN), Taura Syndrome (TS), Infectious Myonecrosis (IMN), Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1), White Tail Disease of freshwater prawns, Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND), major vibriosis of cultured crustaceans (larval and systemic infections caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. harveyi, V. alginolyticus and related species) (12 hours).

Emerging infectious diseases of aquaculture cephalopods (with particular reference to Octopus vulgaris): opportunistic bacterial infections caused by Vibrio, Photobacterium and Pseudomonas species, and overview of the major emerging health issues associated with octopus aquaculture (2 hours).

Regarding Veterinary Hygiene Module (20 hours) the course will have the following contents:

• Principles of hygiene. International organizations interested in Public and Animal Health (FAO-WOAH-WHO). Organizations and role of the Italian Public Veterinary Service. Surveillance and biosafety. Regulation 2016/429 and Delegated Regulations (2018/1629, 2020/687, 2020/689, 2020/691, 2020/692, 2020/990) and Implementing Regulations (2018/1882, 2020/690, 2022/925). D. Lvo 5 agosto 2022, n. 136, D.Lvo 5 agosto 2022, n. 134 (10 hours).
• Direct prophylaxis. Disinfection and disinfectants, their use in aquaculture (6 hours).
• Health management in aquaculture farms: mandatory documents, risk assessment, national database, veterinary controls (2 hours).
• Indirect prophylaxis. Vaccinations and vaccines used in aquaculture (2 hours).

Practical classes on collection and management of biological specimens towards a successful diagnosis. With particular attention to: collection, storage and transport of biological samples; diagnostics methods for viral infection: sample preparation, cell cultures, virus isolation and identification; diagnostics methods for bacterial infection: sample preparation, slides preparation and staining, choice of medium for isolation and identification of bacterium by biochemical methods. Application of biotechnology and serological methods to the diagnosis of infectious diseases.

The course program matches some of the UN Sustainable Development objectives; in particular, knowledge relating to the correct management of the health aspects of farmed aquatic animals is essential for the development of a sustainable aquaculture system for the benefit of the fight against hunger in the world (objective 2), human health (objective 3) and environment (goals 12 and 13) including life underwater (goal 14).

Readings/Bibliography

Material provided by the teacher and available on Virtual Learing Environment at the following link https://virtuale.unibo.it/

To the students that did not attend the lessons I suggest to study on books

• Noga E.J. Fish Disease Diagnosis and Treatment. Second Edition. Wiley- Blackwell, Iowa, 2010.

• Woo P.T.K. & Bruno D.W. Fish Disease and disorders. Volume 3: Viral and bacterial and fungal infections. Second Edition. CAB International, UK, 2011
• Plumb J.A. & Hanson L.A. Health Maintenance and Principal Microbial Diseases of Cultured Fishes. Third Edition. Wiley-Blackwell, USA, 2011

• Eiras J., Segner H., Wahli T. Kapoor G.B. Fish diseases Volume 1. Science Publishers, USA, 2008
• Roberts R.J. Fish pathology. 4th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell, UK, 2012
• World Organisation for Animal Health [WOAH]. (2024). Manual of diagnostic tests for aquatic animals (11th ed.). Paris. Retrieved from https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/
• ⁠World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Aquatic animal health code. 26th ed. Paris (France): WOAH; 2024. Available at: https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals

• FAO, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department: Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries 2011. Pdf scaricabile al seguente sito: http://www.fao.org/fishery/code/publications/en

• Gudding R., Lillehaug A., Evensen O. Fish vaccination 1° ed., John Wiley & Sons, Oxford, 2014
• Austin B., Infectious disease in aquaculture. Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge, 2012 [Capitoli 9-10 su vaccinazione and adiuvanti].
• Scagliarini A., Battilani M., Ciulli S., Balboni A., Gallina L. Manuale di Virologia Veterinaria. Bonomia University Press, Bologna, 2013. [Capitolo 9 Profilassi diretta].

All texts are available free of charge at the library or online.

Teaching methods

Teaching includes lectures and tutorials.

• The lectures are intended to provide and discuss the concepts in infectious diseases and the principles of veterinary hygiene.

• The practical classes are designed to make the student familiar with the instrumentation and laboratory procedures for the diagnosis of infectious diseases of aquatic animals. The student will be able to see and perform individually the activities to collect samples and to carry out diagnostic procedures. During some tutorials, educational films about the disinfection practices used in fish farms to control and prevent infectious diseases will be shown.

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance at the practical sessions requires successful completion of the University health and safety training. During laboratory activities students are required to wear a laboratory coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided when required.

Assessment methods

Each module is assessed through an oral examination consisting of two or three questions and lasting approximately 30–40 minutes.

The final examination aims to assess the achievement of the learning outcomes, with particular reference to:

• Knowledge of the major infectious diseases of aquatic animals.
• Knowledge of the diagnostic approach starting from a health problem, including differential diagnosis and the fundamental principles of virological and bacteriological diagnostic methods.
• Knowledge of the prevention and control strategies available for infectious diseases of aquatic animals.
• Knowledge of the mandatory procedures and official authorities involved in the management of health issues in the aquaculture sector.

The final grade for the course Infectious Diseases of Aquatic Animals and Veterinary Hygiene is calculated as the weighted average of the grades obtained in the two oral examinations, one for each Module. The oral examinations consist of questions designed to assess the student's knowledge of the main topics covered in each Module.

The examination is considered passed when the student obtains an overall grade of at least 18/30. In evaluating the oral examination, the instructor refers to the following grading scale:

18–19 → Knowledge of only a very limited number of topics covered in the course; analytical skills demonstrated only with the guidance of the instructor; generally correct use of scientific terminology.

20–24 → Knowledge of a limited number of topics covered in the course; ability to carry out independent analysis of focused issues; correct use of scientific terminology.

25–29 → Broad knowledge of the topics covered in the course; ability to perform independent and critical analysis; good command of discipline-specific terminology.

30–30 with honours → Comprehensive knowledge of all course topics; ability to perform independent, critical and integrative analysis, including personal reflection; excellent command of discipline-specific terminology.

The result of the oral examination will be communicated to the student at the end of the examination.

Students may reject the final grade in accordance with the University Regulations.

Students with certified Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities may request the compensatory measures assigned by the University Disability and SLD Service by contacting the instructors at least 15 days before the examination. Further information is available on the University website: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students. For further information, students may also contact the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences representative, Dr Fabiana Trombetti (fabiana.trombetti@unibo.it).

With regard to the assessment of learning, the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations, a projector, educational videos, the University of Bologna Virtual Learning Environment (Virtuale), and teaching laboratories equipped for necropsy and diagnostic investigations in bacteriology, virology and biotechnology.

Office hours

See the website of Sara Ciulli

See the website of Enrico Volpe

See the website of Enrico Volpe