2.9. In vivo experiments with S. senegalensis juveniles
S. senegalensis juveniles (~30 mm total length) were selected as
biological models to test the efficacy of phage therapy against
A. salmonicida infections. All juveniles used in this experiment were purchased
at Safiestela Sustainable Aquafarming Investments, Lda. (Group
Sea8), a Senegalese sole hatchery in Póvoa do Varzim (Portugal). This
hatchery enforces a bio-security protocol to prevent disease in its facilities,
with emphasis to furunculosis. All fishes were transported to the
laboratory by the research team in a controlled temperature container,
with an oxygen saturated atmosphere, and quarantined to ensure that
solely healthy fishes were selected for the experimental trials (fish
were surveyed daily and no abnormal behavior or disease signal was recorded
during this period).