Perkinsus marinus in the pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis cultivated on the southeast coast of the Gulf of California, Mexico.

The protozoan Perkinsus marinus has been associated with high mortality episodes of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica in the USA. The presence of P. marinus on the pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis cultivated in two estuaries on the southeast coast of the Gulf of California was evaluated. Oysters were collected monthly (September 2016 to September 2017) and analyzed using Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Water parameters and oyster biometrics were also recorded. Pathogen prevalence increased over time from 0 to 100% in oysters from La Pitahaya, and from 0 to 83.33% in those from Bacorehuis. At both oyster farms, infection intensity was light (<1×104 parasites g-1 wet tissue), pathogen prevalence and infection intensity were correlated with oyster size and weight, and there was a strong correlation between P. marinus prevalence and intensity (La Pitahaya r = 0.91; Bacorehuis r = 0.82). The oysters that resulted positive for P. marinus by RFTM also were assayed using PCR. P. marinus presence was confirmed in 98.27% (114/116) of the oysters from La Pitahaya, and 95.83% (46/48) of those from Bacorehuis. The detection of P. marinus confirms that this pathogen is well established in the area with high expression during the warmer season. Despite the light infection intensity of this parasite at both sites, health surveillance of this bivalve in the region is highly advisable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]