Crude oil impairs immune function and increases susceptibility to pathogenic bacteria in southern flounder.

摘要: Exposure to crude oil or its individual constituents can have detrimental impacts on fish species, including impairment of the immune response. Increased observations skin lesions in northern Gulf Mexico during 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill indicated possibility oil-induced immunocompromisation resulting bacterial viral infection. This study used a full factorial design exposure and challenge examine how impairs southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) function increases susceptibility bacteria Vibrio anguillarum, causative agent vibriosis. Fish exposed prior exhibited 94.4% mortality within 48 hours exposure. Flounder challenged with V. anguillarum without had <10% mortality. resulted taxonomically distinct gill intestine communities. Mortality strongly correlated levels, where it comprised significantly higher percentage microbiome Oil/Pathogen was nearly non-existent No community. Elevated levels were direct result exposure-induced immunosuppression. Oil-exposure reduced expression immunoglobulin M, major systemic antibody, an overall downregulation transcriptome response, particularly genes related function, response stimulus hemostasis. Ultimately, sediment-borne leading increased incidences infections. type may long-term marine ecosystem effects, as oil-bound sediment will likely remain contamination source for years come.