Finding specific DNA of interest in the aquatic environment
eDNA
A fascinating new tool for examining the aquatic environment.
eDNA
Disease & Parasite Detection
One of the most exciting new developments in the area of disease and parasite detection is in the use of eDNA – the finding of specific DNA of interest in the aquatic environment.
We all have DNA, and it is something that has a pattern that is unique to each individual, whether it is ourselves, or a parasite or bacterium which potentially can cause disease. However the challenge lies in isolating and identifying DNA from an organism of interest. Imagine if you could collect a sample of water that your fish live in and could find the DNA of some of the troublesome parasites that affect your fish. The good news now is that science has advanced to the stage where this is now possible for a selected range of parasites.
When any living organism, whether it is a fish or a parasite moves through its environment, it sheds bits of itself which can remain in the water for a couple of weeks or more. When a sample of the water is taken for analysis it is put through a special filter when it is collected from the pond or tank and this filter is sent to the state of the art specialist laboratory.
There it undergoes some unique preparation so the scientists can determine the order of the sub-structures of the DNA, and the patterns of these which are unique to every living organism. This is the key to confirming which organism is present in the water which has been sampled, which translates into confirming which specific parasite or disease-causing agent is present.
It is clear that taking water samples is a much easier process than examining individual fish for the presence of specific parasites, especially if large numbers of fish may be involved, or if the species of fish are such that skin scrapes are not feasible. Practically it will take a few days for the laboratory to carry out the procedure, but the confidence level of the accuracy of the procedure is at least as good as human operators examining the fish, and in some cases may even be more accurate.
However, as with any new technique, it is sensible to use the results as a likely indication of the presence of the target parasite. No technique is 100% infallible.
Fish Treatment Ltd in collaboration with Mainstream Fisheries Ltd have been involved in the development of unique eDNA testing both in Ornamental Fish and the Coarse Fish Industry and have acquired exclusive access to a state of the art specialist laboratory.
As far as Ornamental Fish are concerned, the technology we are offering will indicate the likely presence of both Gyrodactylus species (skin flukes) and Dactylogyrus species (gill flukes).
The Coarse Fish Industry faces challenges from a number of other specific parasites, all of which can be indicated by our unique eDNA technology, including all the Section 30 parasites.
Our latest test includes Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) both in Ornamental Fish and Coarse Fish.
For further information please contact:
Ornamental Fish:-
www.fish-treatment.co.uk
Coarse Fish:-
www.mainstreamfisheries.co.uk
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