Involvement of apoptosis in the dialogue between the parasite Bonamia ostreae and the flat oyster Ostrea edulis.

The protozoan parasite Bonamia ostreae has been associated with the decline of flat oyster Ostrea edulis populations in some European countries. Control of shellfish diseases mostly relies on prevention measures including transfer restrictions and stock management measures such as breeding programmes. These prevention and mitigation measures require a better understanding of interactions between host and pathogens.