Transcriptome Analysis of Host Anti-Vibrio harveyi Infection Revealed the Pathogenicity of V. harveyi to American Eel (Anguilla rostrata)

Vibrio harveyi, a recently discovered pathogenic bacterium isolated from American eels (Anguilla rostrata), poses uncertainties regarding its pathogenesis in American eel and the molecular mechanisms underlying host defense against V. harveyi infection. This study aimed to determine the LD₅₀ of V. harveyi in American eel and assess the bacterial load in the liver, spleen, and kidney post-infection with the LD50 dose. The results showed that the LD₅₀ of V. harveyi via intraperitoneal injection in American eels over a 14d period was determined to be 1.24 × 10³ cfu/g body weight (6.2 × 10⁴ cfu/fish). The peak bacterial load occurred at 36 h post-infection (hpi) in all three organs examined. Histopathology analysis revealed hepatic vein congestion and thrombi, tubular vacuolar degeneration, and splenic bleeding. Moreover, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results indicated significant up or downregulation of 18 host immune- or anti-infection–related genes post 12 to 60 hpi following the infection. Additionally, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) unveiled 7 hub differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 11 encoded proteins play crucial roles in the anti-V. harveyi response in American eels. This study firstly represents the comprehensive report on the pathogenicity of V. harveyi to American eels and RNA-seq of host’s response to V. harveyi infection. These findings provide valuable insights into V. harveyi pathogenesis and the strategies employed by the host’s immune system at the transcriptomic level to combat V. harveyi infection.