Infection with low numbers of the sea louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis induces stress-related effects in postsmolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Infection of postsmolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) with three, six, or 10 preadult and adult sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) per fish resulted in changes to epithelial structure and at sites in the skin and gill, distant from lice attachment and feeding. In the skin, increased apoptosis and necrosis occurred in the superficial epithelial cells and numbers of mucous cells decreased. In the gill, where no lice were found, uplifting of the epithelium, intercellular swelling, and infiltration by leukocytes occurred in filaments and lamellae. High cell turnover of chloride cells was associated with significantly elevated gill Na+/K+-ATPase activities. Serum chloride levels were elevated in the 3 and 6 lice/fish groups, and the serum Na to Cl ratio was lower in all parasitized groups at 5 days. The results indicate that infection with low numbers of the preadult and adult parasite induced changes characteristic of a stress response. In the low- and medium-infested groups, homeostatic recovery had occurred by 10 days, but recovery was incomplete in the highly infected group. Thus, 10 lice per fish, which is a low infestation level in nature, is stressful and creates a long period during which the overall condition of the skin and gill epithelia may render the fish susceptible to secondary infections.