When it comes to understanding disease in aquaculture, pathogen exposure is rarely a simple yes-or-no event. Researchers use dose-response studies to determine how increasing pathogen levels influence disease severity, mortality, and fish health outcomes. These studies form the foundation of reliable challenge models that support the development of vaccines, functional feeds, and other preventative health strategies.

Read the full article to learn how challenge models help researchers better understand pathogen behaviour and bridge the gap between laboratory research and real-world aquaculture production.