Crayfish plague

Signs of disease

Important: animals with disease may show one or more of the signs below, but disease may still be present in the absence of any signs.

Disease signs at the farm level

• high mortality at time of initial outbreak
• many dead or weak crayfish floating or lying in watercourses or ponds (mortalities may go unnoticed in the wild)
• crayfish in open water with an unsteady and raised gait ('walking on stilts')
• rapid tail escape response weakens
• crayfish fall over, unable to right themselves (more evident out of water)

Clinical signs of disease in an infected animal

• fungal growth on soft, noncalcified parts of shell
• browning or blackening spots on the carapace, where fungal hyphae proliferate
• white necrotic musculature in tail instead of the pearl grey of healthy crayfish
• fine black lines on the soft shell underneath the tail
• melanised (black) shell in chronically infected individuals
• death, within weeks, of nonresistant European crayfish

Disease agent

Crayfish plague is caused by infection with the freshwater oomycete fungus, Aphanomyces astaci. This pathogen is known to occur in fresh water only.

Host range

Crustaceans known to be susceptible to crayfish plague:

• Japanese crayfish* (Cambroides japonicus)
• Louisiana swamp crayfish* (Procambarus clarkii)
• noble crayfish* (Astacus astacus)
• signal crayfish* (Pasifastacus leniusculus)
• stone crayfish* (Austropotamobius torrentium)
• Turkish crayfish* (Astacus leptodactylus)
• white-clawed crayfish* (Austropotamobius pallipes)
• Chinese mitten crab (Eriocher sinensis)
• freshwater crayfish (Cherax spp.)
• giant Tasmanian crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi)
• Gippsland spiny crayfish (Euastacus kershawi)

It is believed that all species of freshwater crayfish are susceptible.

* naturally susceptible (other species have been shown to be experimentally susceptible)

Presence in Australia

EXOTIC—not present in Australia.

Epidemiology

• Mortalities of up to 100 per cent have occurred in Europe, with extermination of susceptible populations.
• The North American crayfish species are largely resistant and are carriers of the disease agent and are a source of transmission among less resistant species of crayfish.
• All freshwater crayfish can become infected, but only North American freshwater crayfish show signs of resistance to it.
• The disease was introduced into Europe in American freshwater crayfish and has decimated European crayfish stocks (both wild and cultured). There has been no evidence of developing resistance to the disease among European species during the 100 years since its introduction.
• Crayfish plague can occur at any time of year, but is more likely in the summer months.
• Death can occur 5–50 days (or more) from initial infection, depending on water temperature and the initial number of zoospores.
• The fungal infestation releases motile zoospores direct to the water column when the crayfish dies, and these infect other crayfish.
• The primary transmission mechanism is the zoospore of A. astaci, which swims actively in the water column and has been demonstrated to show positive movement towards crayfish.
  Transmission is horizontal through the water column.
• Translocation and migration of fish, birds and other wildlife can allow them to act as vectors, transporting the disease to previously unexposed waters.
• The fungus can be introduced to a new susceptible population on contaminated ropes, traps, fishing gear, boots, nets and other equipment.

Differential diagnosis

The differential diagnostic table and the list of similar diseases appearing at the bottom of each disease page refer only to the diseases covered by this field guide. Gross signs observed might well be representative of a wider range of diseases not included here. Therefore, these diagnostic aids should not be read as a guide to a definitive diagnosis, but rather as a tool to help identify the listed diseases that most closely account for the gross signs.

None of the other diseases featured in this field guide result in the rapid mortality or other gross signs of crayfish plague. In Australia, infection with the microbial parasite Thelohania (or porcelain disease) may cause similar clinical signs.

In a few cases, examination by light microscopy can further define a diagnosis. However, further laboratory examination is always required for a definitive diagnosis.

Sample collection

Because of uncertainty in differentiating diseases using only gross signs, and because some aquatic animal disease agents might pose a risk to humans, you should not try to collect samples unless you have been trained. Instead, you should phone your state or territory hotline number and report your observations. If samples have to be collected, the agency taking the call will advise you on what you need to do. Local or district fisheries/veterinary authorities could advise you on sampling.

Emergency disease hotline

For your state or territory emergency disease hotline number, see Whom to contact if you suspect a disease.

Further reading

The currently accepted procedures for a conclusive diagnosis of crayfish plague are summarised at www.oie.int/eng/normes/fmanual/A_00054.htm