The Role of Vibrios in Diseases of Corals
- Author: Colin B. Munn1
- Editor: Michael Sadowsky2
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VIEW AFFILIATIONS HIDE AFFILIATIONSAffiliations: 1: School of Marine Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK; 2: University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
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Received 16 October 2014 Accepted 02 March 2015 Published 07 August 2015
- Correspondence: Colin B. Munn, [email protected]

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Abstract:
The tissue, skeleton, and secreted mucus of corals supports a highly dynamic and diverse community of microbes, which play a major role in the health status of corals such as the provision of essential nutrients or the metabolism of waste products. However, members of the Vibrio genus are prominent as causative agents of disease in corals. The aim of this chapter is to review our understanding of the spectrum of disease effects displayed by coral-associated vibrios, with a particular emphasis on the few species where detailed studies of pathogenicity have been conducted. The role of Vibrio shilonii in seasonal bleaching of Oculina patagonica and the development of the coral probiotic hypothesis is reviewed, pointing to unanswered questions about this phenomenon. Detailed consideration is given to studies of V. coralliilyticus and related pathogens and changes in the dominance of vibrios associated with coral bleaching. Other Vibrio-associated disease syndromes discussed include yellow band/blotch disease and tissue necrosis in temperate gorgonian corals. The review includes analysis of the role of enzymes, resistance to oxidative stress, and quorum sensing in virulence of coral-associated vibrios. The review concludes that we should probably regard most—possibly all—vibrios as “opportunistic” pathogens which, under certain environmental conditions, are capable of overwhelming the defense mechanisms of appropriate hosts, leading to rapid growth and tissue destruction.
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Citation: Munn C. 2015. The Role of Vibrios in Diseases of Corals. Microbiol Spectrum 3(4):VE-0006-2014. doi:10.1128/microbiolspec.VE-0006-2014.




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Abstract:
The tissue, skeleton, and secreted mucus of corals supports a highly dynamic and diverse community of microbes, which play a major role in the health status of corals such as the provision of essential nutrients or the metabolism of waste products. However, members of the Vibrio genus are prominent as causative agents of disease in corals. The aim of this chapter is to review our understanding of the spectrum of disease effects displayed by coral-associated vibrios, with a particular emphasis on the few species where detailed studies of pathogenicity have been conducted. The role of Vibrio shilonii in seasonal bleaching of Oculina patagonica and the development of the coral probiotic hypothesis is reviewed, pointing to unanswered questions about this phenomenon. Detailed consideration is given to studies of V. coralliilyticus and related pathogens and changes in the dominance of vibrios associated with coral bleaching. Other Vibrio-associated disease syndromes discussed include yellow band/blotch disease and tissue necrosis in temperate gorgonian corals. The review includes analysis of the role of enzymes, resistance to oxidative stress, and quorum sensing in virulence of coral-associated vibrios. The review concludes that we should probably regard most—possibly all—vibrios as “opportunistic” pathogens which, under certain environmental conditions, are capable of overwhelming the defense mechanisms of appropriate hosts, leading to rapid growth and tissue destruction.

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Figures

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FIGURE 1
Diagrammatic representation of the structure of (A) a coral polyp and (B) mucus and tissue compartments, providing different microhabitats for symbiotic and pathogenic microbes. The mucus secreted by epithelial cells is especially important as major habitat for bacteria, including vibrios.

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FIGURE 2a
Examples of tropical coral diseases associated with infection by Vibrio spp. (A) White syndrome in Acropora sp. (images courtesy of Meir Sussman). (B) Yellow blotch/band diseases on Montastrea sp. (image courtesy of James Cervino). Reproduced with permission from the US Geological Survey.

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FIGURE 2b
Examples of tropical coral diseases associated with infection by Vibrio spp. (A) White syndrome in Acropora sp. (images courtesy of Meir Sussman). (B) Yellow blotch/band diseases on Montastrea sp. (image courtesy of James Cervino). Reproduced with permission from the US Geological Survey.

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FIGURE 3
Tissue necrosis associated with opportunistic infection of Eunicella verrucosa by Vibrio spp. (A) early onset of coenchyme necrosis (arrow); (B) postnecrotic exposure of gorgonin skeleton (arrow) with fouling community of hydroids, barnacles, and bryozoans. Scale bars, 40 mm. Reproduced with permission of the publishers Inter-Research from reference 14 .
Tables

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TABLE 1
Principal disease of corals for which there is a strong association with fungal or bacterial infection
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