A herpes-like virus
infecting Crassostrea gigas and Ruditapes philippinarum larvae in France
T.
Renault, C. Lipart, I. Arzul-2001
Journal of Fish Diseases, 24(6): 369-376
(from Current Contents)
Abstract :
Concomitant sporadic high mortalities were reported
in June 1997 among batches of larval Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, and
Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, in a French commercial hatchery.
Histological observation showed the presence of cellular abnormalities in
affected animals. Electron transmission microscopy revealed the presence of
herpes-like virus particles in infected larvae of both bivalve species.
Viruses observed in C. gigas and R. philippinarum are closely related with
respect to ultrastructure and morphogenesis. They were detected
simultaneously in both bivalve species larvae indicating possible
interspecific transmission. Moreover, PCR analysis using oyster herpes-like
virus specific primers allowed amplification of fragments of expected sizes
for both bivalve species and demonstrated the presence of viral DNA. The PCR
products obtained for both bivalve species and digested by restriction
enzymes displayed the same patterns. These data suggest that the same
herpes-like virus may infect larval oysters and dams.
(Inst
Francais Rech Exploitat Mer, Lab Genet & Pathol, F-17390 La Tremblade,
France, e-mail: trenault@ifremer.fr)