title: First observation of herpes-like virus particles in northern pike, Esox lucius L., associated with bluespot-like disease in Ireland.
abstract: Circular whitish granular lesions, 5-12 mm in diameter, were observed on the skin and fins of a wild northern pike, Esox lucius, caught in a lake in the Republic of Ireland. Histological examination of the lesions revealed hypertrophied cells in the epidermis with deeply basophilic enlarged nuclei and dark-staining granular material in the cytoplasm. Transmission electron microscopy of these cells revealed naked hexagonal herpes-like virus nucleocapsids (97 +/- 7 nm) in their nuclei while the cytoplasm contained multiple aggregates of enveloped viral particles. This is the first report of herpes-like virus particles in northern pike originating outside North America, where esocid herpesvirus-1 (EsHV-1) has previously been reported. Shared clinical, histological, morphological and epidemiological findings suggest that the observed particles in this report may also be EsHV-1.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Sciences Division, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland, Belfast, UK. david.graham@dardni.gov.uk
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Geoghegan
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McKiernan
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Foyle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017859:Esocidae; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure* / Q000821:virology