Prevalence, infection intensity and histopathology ofPerkinsus in Venus clam, Protothaca jedoensis from Yo-su, Korea

Venus clam, Protothaca jedoensis was collected in lune 2003 from Yosu, Korea. The prevalence and infection intensity of Perkinsus was determined by Ray's Fluid thioglycollate medium technique and Choi's 2 M NaOH digestive assay. The prevalence of infection was 80% in Yosu; 54.2% in Taejon and 15.5% in Sachon. Consequently, infection intensity was highest in clams from Yosu (6250${\pm}$8188 Perkinsus cells/g of tissue) whereas lower levels were found in Taejon (5072${\pm}$10862 Perkinsus cells/g of tissue) and in Sachon (2452${\pm}$15300 Perhnsus cells/g of tissue). Histological observation showed that Perkinsus presented in mantle, gills, digestive tubes and gonad of clams. The hemocytic infiltrations and tissue damages were found in heavy Perkinsus-infected clams. Results after immunofluorescence staining with antibody developed from Perkinsus atlanticus suggested that there is closed relationship between Perkinsus found in Venus clam and Manila clam.