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Comparative study of ranavirus isolates from cod (Gadus morhua) and turbot (Psetta maxima) with reference to other ranaviruses

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Abstract

Two iridovirus isolates recovered from cod (Gadus morhua) and turbot (Psetta maxima) in Denmark were examined in parallel with a panel of other ranaviruses including frog virus 3 (FV3), the reference strain for the genus Ranavirus. The isolates were assessed according to their reactivity in immunofluoresent antibody tests (IFAT) using both homologous and heterologous antisera and their amplification in PCR using primers targeting five genomic regions. The corresponding PCR fragments were sequenced, and the sequences obtained were used in phylogenetic analysis. In addition, the pathogenicity to rainbow trout under experimental challenge conditions was investigated. The viruses were serologically and genetically closely related to highly pathogenic ranaviruses such as European catfish iridovirus (ECV), European sheatfish iridovirus (ESV) and epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV). The challenge trials indicate that rainbow trout fry cultured at 15°C are not target species for the virus isolates in the present panel. We suggest that the two isolates belong in the genus Ranavirus and propose the name Ranavirus maxima (Rmax) for the turbot isolate.

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Acknowledgments

The present work was partly funded by the 6th framework program of European Union contract number SSPE-CT-2005-006459, project RANA. Drs. Ahne, Bovo, Hyatt, de Kinkelin, Larsen, Nakajima, Owens and Whittington are acknowledged for providing iridovirus strains and antibodies. Thanks are due to all our technicians, but especially Nicole Nicolajsen.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Århus, Denmark

    Ellen Ariel & Niels Jørgen Olesen

  2. Department of Veterinary Virology, Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Helsinki, Finland

    Riikka Holopainen & Hannele Tapiovaara

  3. School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    Ellen Ariel

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  1. Ellen Ariel
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  2. Riikka Holopainen
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Ariel, E., Holopainen, R., Olesen, N.J. et al. Comparative study of ranavirus isolates from cod (Gadus morhua) and turbot (Psetta maxima) with reference to other ranaviruses. Arch Virol 155, 1261–1271 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-010-0715-z

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