DAO 118:247-258 (2016)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02961

ABSTRACT: The Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus is an economically important species in the offshore fisheries on the east coast of the USA. Recently, animals collected from waters ranging from Massachusetts to Maryland have shown variably sized (up to 1 cm in diameter) orange nodular foci, predominantly in the adductor muscle tissue, but also in other organs. Histological evaluation of the nodular lesions showed rod-shaped bacteria that stain acid-fast positive and Gram-positive. PCR methodology was employed to identify the causative organism of the nodules as a Mycobacterium sp. using analysis of the partial 16S gene and the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer region. Based upon genotypic findings, the causative bacterium fits well into the genus Mycobacterium.

KEY WORDS: Atlantic sea scallop · PCR · Placopecten magellanicus · Mycobacterium sp. · Orange nodules

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Cite this article as: Grimm C, Huntsberger C, Markey K, Inglis S, Smolowitz R (2016) Identification of a Mycobacterium sp. as the causative agent of orange nodular lesions in the Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus. Dis Aquat Org 118:247-258. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02961 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn