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Ribogospod. nauka Ukr., 2026; 1(75): 305-331
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61976/fsu2026.01.305
UDC 636.09:616.98:579.62

Received: 19.12.2025
Received in revised form: 02.03.2026
Published: 31.03.2026

Distribution of Yersinia ruckeri (Ewing et al., 1978) in aquaculture (a review)

A. Ushkalov, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0001-8317-7909, National Scientific Center «Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine» NAAS of Ukraine, Kharkiv
A. Paliy, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0002-9193-3548, National Scientific Center «Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine» NAAS of Ukraine, Kharkiv
L. Vygovska, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0002-5631- 9139, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
Yu. Dunaiev, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0001-7378-430X, National Scientific Center «Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine» NAAS of Ukraine, Kharkiv
O. Kolchyk, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0003-0497-2512, National Scientific Center «Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine» NAAS of Ukraine, Kharkiv
O. Matviienko,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0009-0008-4147-7709, State Research Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, Kryukivshchyna

Purpose. To summarize and analyze current scientific data on the biological properties of the bacterium Yersinia ruckeri, mechanisms of virulence, diversity of natural and anthropogenic reservoirs, environmental factors of spread in aquaculture, and to assess risks to fish health and potential threats to humans.

Methodology. The study was carried out in the format of a systematic analytical review of 55 scientific publications indexed in international databases as well as in Ukrainian publications of B category, covering bacteriological, molecular genetic and epizootological studies of Y. ruckeri. A comparative analysis of data on the morphological and cultural characteristics of the pathogen, serotypes, biotypes, strains and virulence determinants was conducted. The results of experimental models of fish infection, clinical, pathoanatomical and histological changes are summarized separately. The effectiveness of diagnostic methods (cultural, serological, molecular biological), information on antibiotic resistance and vaccine prophylaxis as well as cases of isolation of the pathogen from various species of animals and humans were analyzed.

Findings. Y. ruckeri has been found to be an ecologically plastic pathogen with a wide range of susceptible hosts, including salmonids, cyprinids, sturgeons, percids, and catfishes. Key pathogenicity factors have been summarized, including hemolysin YhlA, protease Yrp1, metalloproteases, invasin-like proteins, and the ability to develop biofilms that ensure the persistence of the pathogen in the aquatic environment and fish tissues. Significant genetic variability of strains has been shown, which affects the level of virulence and effectiveness of vaccines. The main routes of spread of the pathogen, including through water, asymptomatic carriers and waterfowl as well as the ability of the bacterium to survive for a long time in the environment have been analyzed. The impact of climate change and technological stress on the activation of the infectious process has been outlined. A trend towards increasing antibiotic resistance has been identified, including the presence of genes associated with resistance to antimicrobial drugs, which significantly limits therapeutic options. Data are provided on a rare but documented case of human infection, indicating the potential zoonotic significance of the pathogen.

Practical Value. The obtained generalizations justify the need to develop a system of epizootic monitoring of bacterial diseases of fish, the introduction of rapid molecular diagnostic methods, the restriction of uncontrolled use of antibiotics and the transition to preventive measures, in particular vaccine prophylaxis and biosecurity in aquaculture.

Keywords: bacterial infections of fish, pathogenic determinants, pathogen reservoirs, molecular diagnostics, vaccine prophylaxis, ecological sustainability, zoonotic risk.

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