Previous studies have shown that dissolved calcium affects survival
and growth of F. columnare in vitro , as well as incidence of columnaris disease
showed that
dissolved calcium increased F. columnare attachment and bio film formation
on inert surfaces, although only at very high dissolved calcium
levels (360 mg/L, a concentration rarely seen in natural fresh waters).
In this study, we present evidence that the concentration of divalent
cations, at environmentally relevant concentrations, affects bacterial
adhesion to catfish gills and resulting mortality after challenge with
F. columnare.