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Protozoan isolates from the gills of marine-reared Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts were cultured, cloned and 8 dominant isolates were studied in detail. The light and electron-microscopical characters of these isolates were examined, and 7 were identified to the generic level. Structure, ultrastructure, a species-specific immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), and PCR verified the identity of the Neoparamoeba sp. isolate. Five other genera of amoebae, comprising Platyamoeba, Mayorella, Vexillifera, Flabellula, and Nolandella, a scuticociliate of the genus Paranophrys, and a trypanosomatid (tranosomatid-bodonid incertae sedis) accompanied Neoparamoeba sp. in the gills. The pathogenic potential of the isolated organisms, occurring in conjunction with Neoparamoeba sp. in the gills of cultured Atlantic salmon smolts in Ireland, remains to be investigated.

Brown Ring Disease (BRD), which affects the Manila clam in Europe, is caused by the bacterium, Vibrio tapetis. BRD has been diagnosed in Ireland on only one occasion (1997) although the aetiological agent has recently been detected in apparently healthy Manila clams from a number of sites around the Irish coast. The present work investigated the susceptibilities to BRD of two stocks of Manila clams, one from Ireland and the second from Galicia, north-western Spain, where BRD has been reported on a number of occasions. Exposure of the clams was by addition of V. tapetis to the holding waters. Development of BRD was assessed by the appearance of brown ring signs on the host shells, by bacterial isolation and characterization, and by detection of the bacterium by PCR. The pathogen was recovered from infected individuals and confirmed as V. tapetis by biochemical tests and a slide agglutination test. Galician clams experienced significantly higher mortalities, BRD prevalences and V. tapetis levels than Irish clams. Background infection with V. tapetis in the control stocks prevented conclusions being drawn on comparative susceptibility of the two stocks. Irish clams were significantly affected by the experimental challenge, as demonstrated by the development of BRD and an increase in V. tapetis levels. Results illustrate the vulnerability of Irish clams to BRD and have implications for the movement and transfer of clam seed in Ireland.

A study of microfauna, associated with pathological changes in the gills of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., was conducted over 2001-2002. Monthly samples of 1(+) salmon smolts were taken, protozoan populations were quantified and gill health was assessed histologically. Protozoan densities were correlated with pathological changes, in order to determine their possible role in lesions in the gills. The most severe gill tissue changes were observed in summer/autumn and the least in spring. A diverse polyphyletic protozoan community was observed colonizing the gills, including Neoparamoeba sp., other amoebae, scuticociliates, Ichthyobodo-like flagellates, trichodinid ciliates and prostomatean ciliates. The earlier gill tissue changes in the gill were not always associated with the presence of these microorganisms, whereas amoebae (other than Neoparamoeba sp.), Ichthyobodo-like flagellates and trichodinid ciliates correlated with augmenting gill lesions. Neoparamoeba sp. was present, but its abundance did not correlate with the disease. This study suggests that a diversity of protozoans including Ichthyobodo-like flagellates, trichodinid ciliates and amoebae other than Neoparamoeba sp. are involved in the aetiology of amoebic gill disease in the Irish situation.

A 2-year study was carried out on amoebic gill disease (AGD) involving monthly samples of 1+ Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., smolts, histological assessment of the gills and analysis of environmental data. Gill pathology was seen before amoebae could be detected microscopically. These changes in gill integrity were associated with marine environmental conditions, particularly elevated ammonium, nitrite and chlorophyll levels. The results suggest that the environmental changes predispose salmon to colonization by amoebae and ciliates. High densities of histophagous scuticociliates were observed in the gills during periods of advanced gill pathology. A number of different amoebae were observed in close association with gill pathology. Neoparamoeba was not seen in high densities, nor was it associated with gill pathology, indicating that Neoparamoeba may not be the primary agent of the AGD in Irish salmonid culture.

Infections of a population of Crassostrea gigas by the copepod Mytilicola orientalis were examined at an oyster growing site at Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland. Twenty-one samples, each consisting of 20 to 30 oysters have been examined over 2 yr. Condition, sex, reproductive stage, length, weight, glycogen content and other parasite burdens of the oysters were examined in relation to the degree of infection of M. orientalis; 14.38% of oysters were infested. Mean abundance was 0.6 oyster(-1) The maximum number of copepods in an oyster was 20. M. orientalis had no effect on condition, growth, sex, stage or glycogen content of the oyster but correlated with shell burrowing by Polydora sp.

Sediment samples were collected in April, June and August 1998 from a river in southwest Ireland. A total of 1,836 oligochaete specimens were collected from these sediments, and examined for actinosporean infections. Actinosporean-infected oligochaetes have been determined, symptoms and course of infection have been considered and the spores released from them have been described. Spore characteristics for each actinosporean were defined and the prevalence of infection in each oligochaete species was also determined. The overall prevalence of infection with actinosporeans within the oligochaete sample was approximately 2%. Seven types were distinguished, belonging to echinactinomyxon, aurantiactinomyxon and neoactinomyxum forms, from Tubifex ignotus, Lumbriculus variegatus and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, and compared with actinosporean types previously reported in the literature. Three of these forms have not been previously described, while the other 4 are morphologically and morphometrically similar to known forms. These actinosporeans may be stages in myxozoan life cycles.