Vibrio harveyi strain BSW5

Vibrio harveyi strain BSW5 is a gram-negative bacterium found primarily in marine environments, particularly within aquaculture settings in the Changjiang estuary. This strain possesses flagella, facilitating its motility in aquatic habitats. It is classified as mesophilic, indicating it thrives within moderate temperature ranges. Vibrio harveyi strain BSW5 has a single replicon, which is indicative of its genomic organization. It has been identified as a pathogen with a diverse host range, affecting various species including Homo sapiens, different seahorse species (Hippocampus abdominalis, Hippocampus erectus, and Hippocampinae), as well as commercially important fish and crustaceans such as Sebastes schlegelii and Penaeus vannamei. The strain is associated with several health impacts, causing conditions such as septicaemia, vibriosis, gastroenteritis, and vasculitis in humans and infections in aquatic animals. In fish and crustaceans, it can lead to severe outcomes including mass mortality, scale drop, muscle necrosis, hemorrhage, and skin ulcers. Notably, it has been implicated in the tail rot disease and the development of operculum nodules in affected species. The presence of Vibrio harveyi strain BSW5 in aquaculture ecosystems highlights the ecological implications of pathogenic bacteria on both human health and marine biodiversity. Its ability to infect a wide range of hosts underlines the importance of monitoring and managing microbial populations in aquaculture to prevent outbreaks that could threaten both aquaculture productivity and public health.