Mycobacteria as Environmental Portent in Chesapeake Bay Fish Species

Abstract

Infection with environmental mycobacteria is increasing among many Chesapeake Bay fish species. Prevalence in juvenile Atlantic menhaden differed between tributaries and ranged from 2% to 57%. Mycobacterial infection may be a syndromic sentinel of altered environmental conditions that threaten aquatic animal health.

Keywords

• Mycobacteria
• syndromic surveillance
• fish
• Atlantic menhaden
• Chesapeake Bay
• dispatch