Modulation of juvenile brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) cellular immune system after Aeromonas salmonicida challenge

In fish, the first line of defence against infectious microorganisms is based on non-specific cellular immune mechanisms (innate immunity). In this study, we measured the non-specific immune parameters (natural cytotoxic cells (NCC) activity, lymphoproliferation, percentage of phagocytosis and phagocytic activity) in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) infected by a virulent strain of Aeromonas salmonicida. Eight days post-infection, the mortality of infected fish reached 70%. A transient immunostimulation of the NCC activity was noticed 24 h post-infection, but there was no significant difference at 48 h. Then, infection of brook trout with A. salmonicida induced a biphasic immune response. At 24 h post-infection, lymphoproliferation was drastically depressed but returned to control level at 96 h. A slight increase in the percentage of phagocytosis and the phagocytic activity was noticed throughout the experiment. Conversely the cell mortality was significantly higher in infected fish compared to control. The modulation of immunological parameters might reveal important clues on how innate immunity might protect fish from bacterial infections.