Serum CRP-like protein profile in common carp Cyprinus carpio challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide

SummaryThe potential of C-reactive protein (CRP)-like proteins to be used as a biomarker of health status in cultured carp obtained from various European fish lines has been assessed. Varying CRP-like protein levels in the serum of carp were monitored using an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CRP-like protein basal levels in normal fish varied between carp lines, ranging on average from 2.9±0.15 to 12.57±1.19 μg ml−1. Serum levels of CRP-like protein in carp were observed to increase several fold in fish infected with the pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila. However, carp injected with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) serotype 0111:B4 did not exhibit an increase in CRP-like proteins levels.