Pathophysiological Responses of Individuals Enlightens the Etiology of Mass Mortality Situation in the Mediterranean Populations.

Due to the rapid decrease of populations during the previous decades, this bivalve species, endemic in the Mediterranean Sea, is characterized as 'critically endangered'. In addition to human pressures, various pathogen infections have resulted in extended reduction, even population extinction. While is characterized as one of the major causative agents, mass mortalities have also been attributed to sp. and spp. Due to limited knowledge concerning the physiological response of infected specimens against various pathogens, this study's aim was to investigate to pathophysiological response of individuals, originating from mortality events in the Thermaikos Gulf and Lesvos and Limnos islands (Greece), and their correlation to different potential pathogens detected in the diseased animals. In isolated tissues, several cellular stress indicators of the heat shock and immune response, apoptosis and autophagy, were examined. Despite the complexity and limitations in the study of mortality events, the present investigation demonstrates the cumulative negative effect of co-infection additionally with in comparison to the non-presence of haplosporidian parasite. In addition, impacts of global climate change affecting physiological performance and immune responses result in more vulnerable populations in infectious diseases, a phenomenon which may intensify in the future.