Occurrence of Mycobacterium spp. in ornamental fish in Italy

none5noThe occurrence of Mycobacterium spp. in freshwater and marine ornamental fish was studied in Italy from June 2002 to May 2005. Two surveys were carried out, one of aquarium fish sent to the Lab- oratory for diagnosis, and the other of prevalence of infection by mycobacteria in ornamental fish im- ported into Italy. Bacterial isolation was carried out from the spleen, kidney and liver, and the isolates were subsequently identified by biochemical tests. In the first survey, 387 fish were examined and Mycobacterium spp. were isolated from 181 (46.8%) fish. In the second surve y 127 batches of ornamental fish from different countries were examined. Mycobacterium spp. were isolated from 38 (29.9%) batches. The following species we re found: M. fortuitum, M. peregrinum, M. chelonae, M. abscessus , M. marinum , M. gordonae, M. non- chromogenicum and M. interjectum. There was a high prevalence of infection independent of the presence of macroscopic lesions. Mycobacterium fortuitum and M. chelonae were more prevalent than M. marinum in the samples examined.mixedZanoni R.G.; Florio D.; Rossi M.; Fioravanti M.L.; Prearo M.Zanoni R.G.; Florio D.; Rossi M.; Fioravanti M.L.; Prearo M