Detection of betanodaviruses in apparently healthy aquarium fishes and invertebrates

Abstract

Betanodaviruses are the causative agents of viral nervous necrosis (VNN) in cultured marine fish. A total of 237 apparently healthy aquarium fish, marine (65 species) and freshwater (12 species) fishes and marine invertebrates (4 species), which were stocked in a commercial aquarium in Seoul, South Korea, were collected from November 2005 to February 2006. The brains of the fish and other tissues of the invertebrates were examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested PCR to detect betanodavirus. Positive nested PCR results were obtained from the brains of 8 marine fish species (shrimp fish Aeoliscus strigatus, milkfish Chanos chanos, three spot damsel Dascyllus trimaculatus, Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus, pinecone fish Monocentris japonica, blue ribbon eel Rhinomuraena quaesita, look down fish Selene vomer, yellow tang Zebrasoma flavesenes), 1 marine invertebrate species (spiny lobster Pamulirus versicolor), and 2 freshwater fish species (South American leaf fish Monocirrhus polyacanthus and red piranha Pygocentrus nattereri). The detection rate in nested PCR was 11/237 (4.64%). These subclinically infected aquarium fish and invertebrates may constitute an inoculum source of betanodaviruses for cultured fishes in the Korean Peninsula.

Molecular detection of betanodaviruses from apparently healthy wild marine invertebrates

“…The presence of virus in crustacean diseases has previously been reported (Bonami, 1980;Mari, 1987). Gomez et al (2006) have detected nodavirus from the brain of the spiny lobster Pamulirus versicolor, a marine invertebrate imported from Japan in one of the commercial aquarium in Korea. In Taiwan, Chi et al (2000Chi et al ( , 2003 reported the detection of nodavirus in other live food organisms, such as crustaceans including brine shrimp nauplii Artemia sp., the copepod Tigriopus japonicus, and the shrimp Acetesinte medius.…”

Characterization and viral susceptibility of a brain cell line from brown‐marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål) with persistent betanodavirus infection

“…; Gomez et al . ; Suzuki ), thus affecting the fish health worldwide. Mx proteins are the factors that cause the persistent infections (Wu & Chi ; Lu et al .…”

Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy in aquaculture: a review

“…Commercial trade of aquatic animals should also be regarded as an important potential source of virus diffusion (Gomez et al . ).…”