Strawberry Disease (SD) is a chronic, nonlethal skin condition that affects Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the United States, several European countries (Scotland, England, Switzerland, Germany, France, among others), Chile and Peru (Sandoval 2017, unpublished report). In Europe it is also known as Red Mark Syndrome (RMS) or Cold-Water Strawberry Disease.
![Acute haemorrhagic dermatitis in rainbow trout, typical of what is called “summer strawberry disease”. This mild condition usually responds well to increased levels of dietary vitamin C. It should not be confused with the more serious colder water condition.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_300,h_196/http://fishhistopathology.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Summer-strawberry-disease-L-Awe2-300x196.png)
The severity of the skin lesions suggests a hypersensitivity response, but hypersensitivity to what? Affected fish respond well to immune suppressors including corticosteroids, but also to a wide range of antibiotic treatments, suggesting that bacteria are the root cause.
![Rainbow trout with SD, showing characteristic bright-red lesions on the skin, and scale loss.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_300,h_200/http://fishhistopathology.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/feature-images-300x200.png)
Several potential aetiological agents have been proposed, including a Rickettsia-like organism (RLO) in SD in the USA and Chile, and Flavobacterium psychrophilum in the UK.
The disease is generally observed in fish that weigh more than 100 g and that are held at water temperatures below 15°C.
Grossly, the condition is characterized by scale loss (resorption), prior to the emergence of the characteristic external lesions, bright-red, usually raised, non-ulcerative lesions that range from 2 mm to several centimeters in diameter and that are normally found on the flank of the fish. There are no systemic signs of infection (i.e. no effect on appetite, growth or mortality).
![Rainbow trout with characteristic bright-red gross lesions on the skin, and scale loss. (Picture courtesy of Luis Montoya VM)](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_300,h_219/http://fishhistopathology.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Imagen-1-300x219.png)
REFERENCES
- Ferguson, HW., Girons, A., Rizgalla, G., LaPatra, S., Branson, EJ., MacKenzie, K., Davies, M., Collins, RO., Diab, A., Crumlish, M. (2006) Strawberry disease in rainbow trout in Scotland: pathology and association with Flavobacterium psychrophilum. Veterinary Record 158, 630-632.
- Metselaar, M. (2012). Aetiology of red mark syndrome in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
- Sandoval, C., Infante, J., Abad, J., Ferguson, H. W., Paredes, E., Valdebenito, S., … & Avendaño-Herrera, R. (2016). Case report: Strawberry disease in farmed Chilean rainbow trout. Journal of aquatic animal health, 28(1), 1-10.