Zebrafish are becoming increasingly popular to use in different kinds of research projects as research animals, replacing rodents in many fields. When using animals for research, it is important to keep track of the animal health in order to get reliable results. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether these pathogens could be found analyzing environmental materials with real-time PCR instead of euthanizing fish and submitting them for histopathology. Also, to see if any material differentiated from the rest regarding accessibility to work with in a routine diagnostic laboratory.

    This study was performed on environmental samples, such as filters, swabs, detritus and water, from a recirculating water system holding zebrafish. The pathogens analyzed were Mycobacterium chelonae, M. haemophilum, M. abscessus, M. marinum, M. fortuitum and Pseudoloma neurophilia, all common pathogens that can affect zebrafish.

    All materials tested gave at least one positive result for most of the pathogens tested. Two pathogens were not detected, M. marinum and M. abscessus. Due to poorly working PCR-system for M. fortuitum, the results for that bacteria were deemed inconclusive. The filter materials and the swabs of the filter materials gave the best results in this small study, although all materials gave satisfactory results.

In conclusion this study shows that environmental samples can be used to detect pathogens in zebrafish, but larger studies should be performed to better evaluate which material is the best one to use.