ABSTRACT 



Transmission of kidney disease was studied in eastern brook trout 

 (Salvelinus fontinalis ) held at 12.5° C. Fish were subjected to almost 

 daily inoculations or exposures for 102 days, and observations were con- 

 tinued for an additional 200 days . Two strains of the causative Dacterium 

 were compared. The bacterium was fed alone, with glass splinters, and 

 with bile salts. It was also inoculated by two methods of abrasion. Other 

 fish were inoculated subdermally and held at 7° G. and at 12.5° C. in 

 order to determine the effects of these two temperatures on the kidney 

 disease infections. 



Infection was not successful by addition of the bacterium alone to 

 the diet or with glass shards or with bile salts. Infection was accomplished 

 by manual abrasion and autoabrasion in the presence of the bacterium. The 

 eastern strain of the bacterium infected fish more readily than the western 

 strain; all infections developed slowly and were chronic . 



