Nodavirus infection in
hatchery-reared orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides: First record of
viral nervous necrosis in the Philippines
Y.
Maeno, L.D. de la Pena, E.R. Cruz-Lacierda-2002
Fish Pathology, 37(2) :
87-89 (from Current Contents)
Abstract:
Mass mortality occurred
in 34-day old larval orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides reared at a
hatchery in the Philippines with clinical signs such as anorexia and
abnormal swimming behavior. Histopathology of moribund fish demonstrated
marked vacuolation of the brain, spinal cord and retina. Cytopathic effects
were observed in SSN-1 cells inoculated with the tissue filtrate of affected
grouper. Electron microscopy revealed non-enveloped virus particles
measuring 20 to 25 nm in diameter in the cytoplasm of degenerated SSN-1
cells. Piscine nodavirus (betanodavirus), the causative agent of viral
nervous necrosis (VNN), was detected in the affected tissues and SSN-1 cells
inoculated with the tissue filtrate of affected fish by RT-PCR. This is the
first record of VNN in the Philippines.
(Japan
Int Res Ctr Agr Sci, Ohwashi 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 3058686, Japan, e-mail: ymaeno@jircas.affrc.go.jp)