Renibacterium salmoninarum

Renibacterium salmoninarum is a member of the Micrococcaceae family. It is a Gram-positive, intracellular bacterium that causes disease in young salmonid fish. The infection is most commonly known as Bacterial Kidney Disease but may also be referred to as BKD, White Boil Disease, Dee Disease, Salmonid Kidney Disease and Corynebacterial Kidney Disease. It is of significant ecologic importance due to its effect on both farmed and wild salmonids. The disease is found in North America, Europe, Japan, Chile and Scandinavia, and is spread both vertically and horizontally. Pacific salmon appear to be the most susceptible to the disease.