Koi herpesvirus epizootic in cultured carp and koi, Cyprinus carpio L., in Taiwan

Koi herpesvirus (KHV) poses a significant threat to cultured koi and common carp, both Cyprinus carpio L. Since the first reported case in Israel in 1998, KHV has rapidly spread worldwide. This study investigates the spread of KHV to Taiwan by collecting 49 cases of suspected common carp and koi infections from 2003 to 2005 for analysis. Clinical signs included lethargy, anorexia, increased respiratory movements and uncoordinated swimming. Hyperaemia, haemorrhage on body surface and necrotic gill filaments were recorded. Gill epithelial hyperplasia, necrosis and eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed by histological examination, while virions were detected using transmission electron microscopy. By detecting the presence of the KHV thymidine kinase (TK) gene and the KHV 9/5 gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 37 cases were identified as KHV-positive, and the cumulative mortality of infected fish was 70-100%. Positive cases showed identical sequences for the genes analysed, implying that they were of the same origin. For the KHV 9/5 gene sequence, these cases exhibited 100% identity with the Japanese strain (TUMST1, accession number AP008984) and 99% identity with the Israeli (KHV-I, DQ177346) and US (KHV-U, DQ657948) strains. Additionally, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was performed and found to be more sensitive than PCR tests, suggesting its potential use as a rapid diagnostic method for KHV. This is the first epidemiological study of KHV infection in cultured common carp and koi in Taiwan.     

Rapid detection and differentiation of carp oedema virus and cyprinid herpes virus‐3 in koi and common carp

Carp oedema virus (CEV) and koi herpes virus (KHV) are of major concern to common carp breeders and koi enthusiasts worldwide. The viruses cause diseases that exhibit similar external signs; thus, it is difficult to distinguish between them clinically. In this study, we developed and optimized rapid and accurate single‐ and multiplex isothermal diagnostic tools, based on recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), for detection and differentiation of CEV and KHV. The assays were combined with a lateral flow dipstick to enable visual detection of amplification products and simplify post‐amplification analysis. Both CEV‐ and KHV‐RPA assays were specific for their target virus. The lower detection limits of the assays were similar to those of established diagnostic PCR tests for the viruses. A sample preparation method was optimized to eliminate the need for total DNA extraction from fish tissues. The estimated time to perform these RPA assays, from receiving the sample to having a result, is 50 min, compared to 10 and 7 hr for CEV‐ and KHV‐PCR tests, respectively. The assays can be performed in field situations to improve screening of fish and reduce spread of these viruses and thereby enhance the common carp and koi industries.     

鲤浮肿病检测方法实验室间比对的结果与评价

鲤浮肿病(carp edema virus disease,CEVD)是在锦鲤中发现的一种传染性病毒病,近年来在全球传播迅速,对鲤养殖业造成严重损害。本研究设计CEV环介导等温扩增(loop-mediated isothermal amplification,LAMP)引物,进行特异性实验;选取套式PCR、荧光PCR和LAMP三种检测方法,组织10家实验室进行室间比对测试:制备含CEV病毒核酸的测试样品,评价其均匀性和稳定性,通过测试结果分析方法检出限。结果显示,套式PCR的核酸样品检测限可达6.8×10^-10 g。     

Detection of koi herpesvirus DNA in tissues of infected fish

A newly recognized herpesvirus, koi herpesvirus or KHV, causes a lethal disease in common carp, Cyprinus carpio , and its colourful strain known as koi or fancy carp. In this study, we report new outbreaks of the disease, present initial characterization of the KHV genome, and describe assays for detection of KHV DNA in infected cells and tissues of infected fish. Restriction endonuclease (RE) profiles of viral DNA derived from two epidemiologically distinct KHV isolates were identical to each other. Cloned KHV BamHI and SphI DNA probes specifically hybridized to KHV DNA, but not to DNAs derived from a variety of other fish herpesviruses. The KHV DNA probes detected KHV DNA in tissues of experimentally infected koi fish by DNA hybridization. The KHV specific polymerase chain assays (PCR) were developed for rapid detection and confirmation of KHV DNA in tissues of infected fish.     

Koi herpesvirus and carp oedema virus: Infections and coinfections during mortality events of wild common carp in the United States

Koi herpesvirus (KHV; cyprinid herpesvirus‐3) and carp oedema virus (CEV) are important viruses of common and koi carp (Cyprinus carpio); however, the distribution of these viruses in wild common carp in North America is largely unknown. During the summers of 2017 and 2018, 27 mass mortalities of common carp were reported from four states in the USA (Minnesota, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin), the majority of which were distributed across eight major watersheds in southern Minnesota. Samples from 22 of these mortality events and from five clinically healthy nearby carp populations were screened for KHV, CEV and SVCV using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). KHV was confirmed in 13 mortality events, CEV in two mortality events and coinfections of KHV/CEV in four mortality events. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the KHV and CEV detected here are closely related to European lineages of these viruses. While molecular detection alone cannot conclusively link either virus with disease, the cases described here expand the known range of two important viruses. This is also the first reported detection of KHV and CEV coinfections in wild carp populations.     

Antibody response of two populations of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., exposed to koi herpesvirus

Common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., exposed to koi herpesvirus (KHV) may become persistently infected and populations containing such virus-infected individuals may transmit the virus to other fish when co-habited. Detection of virus-infected fish in a population is thus critical to surveillance and control programmes for KHV. A study was therefore designed to detect anti-KHV serum antibodies, with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, in common carp following experimental exposures to KHV under varying environmental conditions. The study determined that a proportion of fish within a population experimentally exposed to KHV (at least 10–25%) develop high antibody titres (1/1600 or greater) to the virus, and this immunological response was detectable for several months (observed at the termination of the experiments at 65, 46 and 27 weeks post-exposure). Furthermore, this response was detected in one population of fish that did not succumb to a high level of mortality when maintained at water temperatures that were non-permissive for KHV. Elevating the water temperatures to permissive conditions for KHV resulted in recurrence of disease despite the presence of anti-virus antibodies, suggesting that serum antibodies alone are not protective under the conditions of our trials.     

Sensitivity of seven PCRs for early detection of koi herpesvirus in experimentally infected carp,Cyprinus carpio L., by lethal and non-lethal sampling methods

Koi herpesvirus (KHV) causes an economically important, highly infectious disease in common carp and koi, Cyprinus carpio L. Since the occurrence of mass mortalities worldwide, highly specific and sensitive molecular diagnostic methods have been developed for KHV detection. The sensitivity and reliability of these assays have essentially focused at the detection of low viral DNA copy numbers during latent or persistent infections. However, the efficacy of these assays has not been investigated with regard to low-level viraemia during acute infection stages. This study was conducted to compare the sensitivity of seven different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to detect KHV during the first hours and days post-infection (hpi; dpi), using lethal and non-lethal sampling methods. The results highlight the limitations of the assays for detecting virus during the first 4 dpi despite rapid mortality in experimentally infected carp. False-negative results were associated with time post-infection and the tissue sampled. Non-lethal sampling appears effective for KHV screening, with efficient detection in mucus samples obtained from external swabs during this early infection period (<5 dpi), while biopsies from gills and kidney were negative using the same PCR assays. Non-lethal sampling may improve the reliability of KHV detection in subclinical, acutely infected carp.     

Validation of a KHV antibody enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Koi herpesvirus (KHV) causes KHV disease (KHVD). The virus is highly contagious in carp or koi and can induce a high mortality. Latency and, in some cases, a lack of signs presents a challenge for virus detection. Appropriate immunological detection methods for anti‐KHV antibodies have not yet been fully validated for KHV. Therefore, it was developed and validated an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect KHV antibodies. The assay was optimized with respect to plates, buffers, antigens and assay conditions. It demonstrated high diagnostic and analytical sensitivity and specificity and was particularly useful at the pond or farm levels. Considering the scale of the carp and koi industry worldwide, this assay represents an important practical tool for the indirect detection of KHV, also in the absence of clinical signs.     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒逆转录环介导等温扩增(RT-LAMP)检测方法的建立

根据草鱼呼肠孤病毒 (grass carp reovirus, GCRV)衣壳蛋白VP6编码基因的序列设计特异性引物, 以病毒全基因组RNA为模板, 通过对反应条件进行优化, 建立了GCRV的逆转录环介导等温扩增(RT-LAMP)检测方法。检测结果表明, 本方法可在63℃下1 h内实现靶片段的大量扩增, 扩增产物经凝胶电泳呈现梯型条带, 反应体系中添加SYBR Green I 荧光染料后, 绿色阳性结果明显区别于橙色阴性结果。该检测体系针对草鱼呼肠孤病毒的检测灵敏度高, 其最低检测限为33 pg, 与常规RT-PCR方法相比较, 灵敏度高10倍, 且与斑点叉尾鮰呼肠孤病毒(CCRV)、鲤春病毒血症病毒(SVCV)、锦鲤疱疹病毒(KHV)、大鲵虹彩病毒(GSIV)等无交叉反应。该方法灵敏度及特异性高, 且不需昂贵仪器设备, 为快速检测草鱼呼肠孤病毒与诊断草鱼出血病提供了简捷快速的技术手段。

     

Inactivation of koi‐herpesvirus in water using bacteria isolated from carp intestines and carp habitats

Since its first outbreak in Japan in 2003, koi‐herpesvirus (KHV) remains a challenge to the carp Cyprinus carpio L. breeding industry. In this study, inactivation of KHV in water from carp habitats (carp habitat water) was investigated with the aim of developing a model for rapidly inactivating the pathogen in aquaculture effluent. Experiments with live fish showed that, in carp habitat water, KHV lost its infectivity within 3 days. Indications were that inactivation of KHV was caused by the antagonistic activity of bacteria (anti‐KHV bacteria) in the water from carp habitats. Carp habitat water and the intestinal contents of carp were therefore screened for anti‐KHV bacteria. Of 581 bacterial isolates, 23 showed anti‐KHV activity. An effluent treatment model for the disinfection of KHV in aquaculture effluent water using anti‐KHV bacteria was developed and evaluated. The model showed a decrease in cumulative mortality and in the number of KHV genome copies in kidney tissue of fish injected with treated effluent compared with a positive control. It is thought that anti‐KHV bacteria isolated from the intestinal contents of carp and from carp habitat water can be used to control KHV outbreaks.     

Antiviral activity of exopolysaccharides from Arthrospira platensis against koi herpesvirus

Although koi herpesvirus (KHV) has a history of causing severe economic losses in common carp and koi farms, there are still no treatments available on the market. Thus, the aim of this study was to test exopolysaccharides (EPS) for its antiviral activity against KHV, by monitoring inhibition and cytotoxic effects in common carp brain cells. These substances can be easily extracted from extracellular algae supernatant and were identified as groups of sulphated polysaccharides. In order to reach this aim, Arthrospira platensis, which is well known for its antiviral activity of intra‐ and extracellular compounds towards mammalian herpesviruses, was investigated as standard organism and compared to commercial antiviral drug, ganciclovir, which inhibits the viral DNA polymerization. The antiviral activity of polysaccharides of A. platensis against KHV was confirmed in vitro using qualitative assessment of KHV life cycle genes, and it was found by RT‐PCR that EPS, applied at a concentration of >18 μg mL^?1 and a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.45 of KHV, suppressed the viral replication in common carp brain (CCB) cells even after 22 days post‐infection, entirely. Further, this study presents first data indicating an enormous potential using polysaccharides as an additive for aquacultures to lower or hinder the spread of the KHV and koi herpesvirus disease (KHVD) in future.     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒逆转录环介导等温扩增(RT-LAMP)检测方法的建立

根据草鱼呼肠孤病毒(grass carp reovirus,GCRV)衣壳蛋白VP6编码基因的序列设计特异性引物,以病毒全基因组RNA为模板,通过对反应条件进行优化,建立了GCRV的逆转录环介导等温扩增(RT-LAMP)检测方法。检测结果表明,本方法可在63℃下1 h内实现靶片段的大量扩增,扩增产物经凝胶电泳呈现梯型条带,反应体系中添加SYBR Green I荧光染料后,绿色阳性结果明显区别于橙色阴性结果。该检测体系针对草鱼呼肠孤病毒的检测灵敏度高,其最低检测限为33 pg,与常规RT-PCR方法相比较,灵敏度高10倍,且与斑点叉尾鮰呼肠孤病毒(CCRV)、鲤春病毒血症病毒(SVCV)、锦鲤疱疹病毒(KHV)、大鲵虹彩病毒(GSIV)等无交叉反应。该方法灵敏度及特异性高,且不需昂贵仪器设备,为快速检测草鱼呼肠孤病毒与诊断草鱼出血病提供了简捷快速的技术手段。     

鲍疱疹病毒原位LAMP检测方法的建立与初步应用

为精确定位鲍疱疹病毒(HaHV-1)在宿主不同组织器官中的分布,明确HaHV-1的组织亲嗜性和侵染进程,实验基于环介导等温扩增技术(LAMP)和原位杂交技术建立了HaHV-1的原位LAMP检测方法。利用该方法研究了HaHV-1人工感染实验不同时间节点,病毒在杂色鲍主要器官的分布规律和组织亲嗜性。并对已报道的HaHV-1 LAMP扩增引物进行优化,实现对载玻片上原位固定靶组织内病毒DNA的稳定、特异扩增,筛选最佳显色时间等原位杂交反应条件,最后通过免疫酶标技术分析HaHV-1在组织样本内的分布情况。结果显示,HaHV-1原位LAMP检测方法最适显色时间为60 min。利用该方法对攻毒后24、36、48、60和72 h,HaHV-1在杂色鲍外套膜、鳃、肝胰腺和腹足神经节4种样本的组织分布情况进行检测和分析。病毒阳性信号最早于36 h出现在腹足神经节,48 h在部分外套膜样本中观察到病毒阳性信号,分布局限于外周神经中。在感染实验后期,病毒阳性信号出现在肝胰腺结缔组织中。病毒阳性信号出现的部位常有大量细胞渗出和浸润,渗出的细胞中可见被病毒感染的血淋巴细胞。本研究建立的HaHV-1原位LAMP检...     

传染性鲑鱼贫血症病毒实时荧光环介导等温扩增检测方法的建立

根据ISAV的基因保守序列,利用LAMP Designer软件设计了6条引物,采用新型的环介导等温扩增设备进行扩增和检测,优化了反应条件,分析了所建立方法的特异性和灵敏度,并与RT-PCR和实时荧光RT-PCR进行比较。研究表明,该方法最适反应温度为64℃,反应10 min就可以观察到明显的扩增。该方法灵敏度高,检测限为78.4 fg RNA,比常规RT-PCR灵敏度高100倍,与实时荧光定量RT-PCR灵敏度相当;特异性好,与传染性胰腺坏死病毒(IPNV)、鲤春病毒血症病毒(SVCV)、出血性败血症病毒(VHSV)、鱼类病毒性神经坏死病病毒(VNNV)、鱼腹水病毒(YAV)等14种主要鱼类病毒没有交叉反应。结果表明,本研究建立了ISAV的实时荧光环介导等温扩增检测方法,实验能对整个扩增过程进行实时监测,提高检测灵敏度的同时,防止由于开盖跑电泳或加染料而导致的污染。     

白斑综合征病毒环介导等温扩增快速检测方法的建立

根据对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)囊膜蛋白VP28基因保守序列,利用Primer Explorerv 4.0软件设计了4条引物,建立了白斑综合征病毒环介导等温扩增快速检测方法,对反应温度和反应时间等参数进行了优化,同时将建立的LAMP检测方法与巢式PCR进行了比较分析。结果表明,LAMP最适反应在64℃恒温条件60min内完成,凝胶电泳呈现梯型条带;反应体系中添加SYBR Green I荧光染料后,绿色的阳性结果明显区别于橙色阴性结果。LAMP方法的最低检出限为100拷贝/μL,灵敏度较巢式PCR高100倍,而且LAMP方法在1h内即可完成检测,操作简单,无需复杂仪器,肉眼可直接观察检测结果。用建立的LAMP方法对临床发病南美白对虾样品进行了检测,结果表明,LAMP方法适合对虾白斑综合征病毒的现场快速检测。     

Rapid detection of Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV), the pathogenic agents of white tail disease of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man), by loop-mediated isothermal amplification

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) procedure is described for rapid diagnosis of white tail disease, a viral disease caused by Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV), in the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. This method was more sensitive than conventional RT-PCR for detecting the two viruses. A set of four primers, two outer and two inner, were designed for MrNV detection. An additional pair of loop primers was also used in an accelerated LAMP reaction for detection of XSV. Time and temperature conditions were optimized for detection of the two viruses. The LAMP reaction is highly suited for disease diagnosis in developing countries as amplification of DNA can be detected without the use of agarose gel electrophoresis, by the production of whitish precipitate of magnesium pyrophosphate as a by-product.     

Do wild fish species contribute to the transmission of koi herpesvirus to carp in hatchery ponds?

The koi herpesvirus (KHV) has spread worldwide since its discovery in 1998 and causes disease and mortality in koi and common carp populations with a high impact on the carp production industry. Many investigations have been conducted to examine ways of distribution and to identify possible transmission vectors. The answers, however, raise many new questions. In the present study, different wild fish species taken from carp ponds with a history of KHV infection were examined for their susceptibility to the virus. In the tissue of these fish, the virus load was determined and it was tested whether a release of the virus could be induced by stress and the virus then could be transferred to naive carp. Wild fish were gathered from carp ponds during acute outbreaks of virus‐induced mortality in summer and from ponds stocked with carp carrying a latent KHV infection. From these ponds, wild fish were collected during the harvesting process in autumn or spring when the ponds were drained. We found that regardless of season, temperature variation, age and infection status of the carp stock, wild fish from carp ponds and its outlets could be tested positive for the KHV genome using real‐time PCR with a low prevalence and virus load. Furthermore, virus transfer to naive carp was observed after a period of cohabitation. Cyprinid and non‐cyprinid wild fish can therefore be considered as an epidemiological risk for pond carp farms.     

环介导等温扩增技术与横向流动试纸条法快速检测鳗利斯顿氏菌的研究

采用环介导等温扩增技术(Loop-mediated isothermal amplification,LAMP)、横向流动试纸条技术(Lateral flow dipstick,LFD),建立一种鳗利斯顿氏菌快速检测方法。针对鳗利斯顿氏菌金属蛋白酶基因设计一套特异性引物及异硫氰酸荧光素(Fluorescein isothiocyanate,FITC)标记的探针,结合生物素标记的环介导等温扩增技术扩增反应和横向流动试纸条技术对鳗利斯顿氏菌进行检测;比较LAMP-AGE、LAMP-LFD和PCR-AGE的灵敏度;选取4株鳗利斯顿氏菌和6株非鳗利斯顿氏菌验证LAMP-LFD特异性。试验结果表明,应用LAMP-LFD,能在30 min内完成鳗利斯顿氏菌的检测;LAMP-LFD检测的灵敏度为7.7 cfu/ml,LAMP-AGE和PCR-AGE检测的灵敏度均为77 cfu/ml;4株鳗利斯顿氏菌均呈阳性反应,其他6株非鳗利斯顿氏菌均为阴性。应用LAMP-LFD检测鳗利斯顿氏菌特异性强、灵敏度高、并且操作安全、简便、快捷。