Presence of Aphanomyces astaci in Pontastacus (Astacus) leptodactylus, detected in Polyfytou lake

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Δημοσιευμένα: May 18, 2026
Ενημερώθηκε: 2026-05-18
Εκδόσεις:
2026-05-18 (3)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.39642
I Karamaligas
Department of Animal Husbandry and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Greece
E Gourzioti
Department of Aquaculture and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Greece
P Pantazis
Department of Animal Husbandry and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Greece
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4949-2862
Περίληψη

A case of Aphanomyces astaci infection in Pontastacus (Astacus) leptodactylus, is described in the present study. During summer season, in June 2023, in lake Polyfytou, 60 individuals of crayfish were collected from five different sites of it and transferred to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, at University of Thessaly. According to macroscopic and microscopic examination, 32 crayfish that exhibited obvious signs of infection, such as carapace erosion, melanized body patches and spots on their body, underparts, tail, pleiopods and walking legs joints, or individuals with amputation of the walking legs and visible inking at the amputation site, were separated for further analysis. Molecular analysis showed that 32/60 samples from lake Polyfytou were positive to Aphanomyces astaci. Further research is required to investigate the presence of Aphanomyces astaci, including more freshwater crayfish species, sites and temperature ranges.

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