Identification of possible agent(s) of puffy skin disease in rainbow trout

Puffy skin disease (PSD) is an economically significant, emerging skin condition, affecting rainbow trout. Direct cohabitation challenges with PSD-affected fish have shown that PSD is a transmissible condition. However, despite extensive histological, virological and bacteriological examinations, the actual causative infectious agent(s) remain unknown (Cano et al., 2016). The proposed work seeks to provide scientific data on the nature of the transmissible agent(s) of PSD, an emerging disease which remains a significant economic concern to the fish farming industry since affected fish are unmarketable. Understanding the nature of the aetiological agent will assist in the development of disease mitigation strategies.