Herpes-like virus infection causing mortality of cultured abalone Haliotis diversicolor supertexta in Taiwan.
A herpes-like virus is demonstrated for the first time to be associated with high mortality rates in maricultured abalone Haliotis diversicolor supertexta in Taiwan. Histopathology of moribund abalone indicated that the nerve system was the primary target tissue. The lesions were characterised by tissue necrosis accompanied with infiltration of haemocytes. Electron microscopic examination demonstrated viral particles within the degenerated cerebral ganglion cells. The viruses were hexagonal, approximately 100 nm in diameter and had a single coat. Some viral particles contained a dense nucleoid, while others were empty. The ultrastructure and morphogenesis of the virus particles were consistent with those of the herpesvirus described from the oyster Crassostrea virginica. Experimental infection using supernatant collected from minced visceral organs and muscle of moribund abalone induced 100 % mortality through both intramuscular injection and bath treatments.
Chang
Pen Heng
PH
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bio-Resources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC. penheng@ntu.edu.tw
Kuo
Shu Ting
ST
Lai
San Huei
SH
Yang
Hong Shii
HS
Ting
Yun Yuan
YY
Hsu
Ching Lung
CL
Chen
Hon Cheng
HC
D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D006564:Herpesviridae; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008974:Mollusca / Q000821:virology*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D013624:Taiwan