RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To clarify pathogens and sources of the off-plate syndrome at the attachment stage in the larval culture of Apostichopus japonicus, and further to find out effective medicines for this disease. METHODS: Etiological analysis was performed on larvae with typical off-plate syndrome from three larvae culture factories. Suspicious pathogens were used for artificial infection test, and were identified through morphological, physiological and biochemical tests, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Quantitative bacterial analysis was done on the culture systems of the three factories, including water sources, rearing water, ordure (in the pond floor), attachments and feeds. Finally, drug-sensitive tests were done against the pathogens. RESULTS: A common dominant bacterium strain was isolated from all ill larvae included in the study. Artificial infection test showed it was the causative pathogen associated with the disease, and the artificially infected sea cucumbers had same syndromes to the naturally ill ones. The bacterium was identified as Vibrio sp. Bacterial quantity of water sources was in the qualified range (<50 cfu/mL), while out of the standard range in others (> 1 x 10(5) cfu/mL). The sources of the pathogen were complicated, since pathogens were discovered in the water sources, rearing water, ordure, attachments and feeds. However, the density of causative bacteria was the highest in the feeds, middle in the attachments, and lowest in the water sources. Twelve antibiotics could inhibit growth of the pathogens. CONCLUSION: The possible pathogen for off-plate syndrome was Vibrio sp. Feeds may be the main source of the pathogen. Twelve antibiotics besides nalidixic acid could be applied for disease prevention and treatment of Apostichopus japonicus.