Understanding the Dynamic of POMS Infection and the Role of Microbiota Composition in the Survival of Pacific Oysters, Crassostrea gigas
Lizenn Delisle, Olivier Laroche, Zoë Hilton, Jean-François Burguin, Anne Rolton, Jolene Berry, Xavier Pochon, Pierre Boudry, Julien Vignier
Abstract
For more than a decade, Pacific oyster mortality syndrome (POMS) has severely impacted the Crassostrea gigas aquaculture industry, at times killing up to 100% of young farmed Pacific oysters, a key commercial species that is cultivated globally. These disease outbreaks have caused major financial losses for the oyster aquaculture industry. Selective breeding has improved disease resistance in oysters, but some levels of mortality persist, and additional knowledge of the disease progression and pathogenicity is needed to develop complementary mitigation strategies. In this holistic study, we identified some potentially harmful and beneficial bacteria that can influence the outcome of the disease. These results will contribute to advance disease management and aquaculture practices by improving our understanding of the mechanisms behind genetic resistance to POMS and assisting in predicting oyster vulnerability to POMS.