Molecular detection of a novel cyprinid herpesvirus in roach ( Rutilus rutilus ) and asp ( Leuciscus  aspius ) showing typical signs of carp pox disease

AbstractIn the early spring of 2018, in Lake Balaton (Hungary), a roach (Rutilus rutilus) and an asp (Leuciscus aspius) were found in an fish trap at the outlet of the river Si ó showing typical signs of the so-called carp pox disease, such as foci of epidermal hyperplasia on the head and the whole body surface, including the fins. Molecular tests revealed the presence of the DNA of an unknown fish herpesvirus. Three genes encoding the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase, major capsid protein and ATPase subunit of terminase were amplified and sequenced from the alloherpesviral genome. The gene sequences of the viruses obtained from the two different fish species shared 94.4% nucleotide sequence identity (98.1% amino acid sequence identity), suggesting that they belong to t he same virus species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the DNA polymerase (and the concatenated sequences of the amplified genes, as well) implied that the detected virus belongs to the genusCyprinivirus within the familyAlloherpesviridae. The sequences of the novel alloherpesvirus diverge from those of the five cyprinivirus species described previously, so it putatively represents the sixth virus species in the genus.
Source: Archives of Virology - Category: Virology Source Type: research