Project: Effects of Myxobolus cerebralis Infection on Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Trout in Northeastern Oregon

Primary Investigator: Jerri Bartholomew
Project Summary: The goal of this research was to provide information relevant to the management of both cultured and wild salmonids in northeastern Oregon by examining the effects of M. cerebralis infection on anadromous salmon at acclimation and during the critical phase where they enter salt water. Investigations on M. cerebralis at juvenile acclimation sites in the region demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of infection (65%) in sentinel rainbow trout fry held at the Wallowa facility. Further, PCR analysis of ossified cranial elements from steelhead juveniles held at the Wallowa facility for 6 weeks demonstrated a comparable prevalence of infection of 52%. When steelhead naturally infected at the Wallowa facility were transferred to salt water, mortality was significantly increased over that of control fish from the same cohort that had not been exposed to the parasite during acclimation. This indicates that M. cerebralis can compromise survival of juvenile salmonids during saltwater adaptation. In addition to the direct effects of M. cerebralis on survival, this study suggests that infection of anadromous salmonids may contribute to the dissemination of the parasite during migration and thus complicate management efforts to contain the parasite within northeastern Oregon.
Funding Period: 2002-2003
Final Report: Bartholomew_02-03.pdf
Dataset(s) associated with this project:

Summary data for Chinook salmon susceptibility

Susceptibility of Chinook salmon to M. cerebralis infection