TY - JOUR
T1 - Characterization of a novel alloherpesvirus from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
AU - Marcos-Lopez, Mar
AU - Waltzek, Thomas B.
AU - Hedrick, Ronald
AU - Baxa, Dolores
AU - Garber, Amber F.
AU - Liston, Rebecca
AU - Johnsen, Eric
AU - Forward, Benjamin S.
AU - Backman, Steven
AU - Ferguson, Hugh W.
PY - 2012/1/1
Y1 - 2012/1/1
N2 - Alloherpesviruses affect freshwater and marine fish species. The aim of the current study was to characterize a novel alloherpesvirus in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Samples were processed for histopathology, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), virus isolation, molecular characterization, and in situ hybridization (ISH). Histopathology revealed that the infection was restricted to the gills and that it induced cytomegaly in infected cells. By TEM, numerous viral particles with morphology compatible with a herpesvirus were observed inside the cytomegalic cells. To characterize this new agent, polymerase chain reaction amplified regions of the ATPase subunit of the terminase, and DNA polymerase genes were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed strongest similarity with alloherpesviruses belonging to the genus Ictalurivirus and Salmonivirus. The ISH showed specific labeling of nuclear inclusions in the cytomegalic cells. While virus isolation was unsuccessful, the results obtained through different diagnostic tests in the present study confirm the discovery of a new alloherpesvirus affecting Atlantic cod. The authors propose the formal species designation Gadid herpesvirus 1 (GaHV-1) to be considered for approval by the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses.
AB - Alloherpesviruses affect freshwater and marine fish species. The aim of the current study was to characterize a novel alloherpesvirus in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Samples were processed for histopathology, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), virus isolation, molecular characterization, and in situ hybridization (ISH). Histopathology revealed that the infection was restricted to the gills and that it induced cytomegaly in infected cells. By TEM, numerous viral particles with morphology compatible with a herpesvirus were observed inside the cytomegalic cells. To characterize this new agent, polymerase chain reaction amplified regions of the ATPase subunit of the terminase, and DNA polymerase genes were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed strongest similarity with alloherpesviruses belonging to the genus Ictalurivirus and Salmonivirus. The ISH showed specific labeling of nuclear inclusions in the cytomegalic cells. While virus isolation was unsuccessful, the results obtained through different diagnostic tests in the present study confirm the discovery of a new alloherpesvirus affecting Atlantic cod. The authors propose the formal species designation Gadid herpesvirus 1 (GaHV-1) to be considered for approval by the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses.
KW - Alloherpesvirus
KW - Atlantic cod
KW - in situ hybridization
KW - polymerase chain reaction
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84857321483&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84857321483&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1040638711416629
DO - 10.1177/1040638711416629
M3 - Article
C2 - 22362936
AN - SCOPUS:84857321483
VL - 24
SP - 65
EP - 73
JO - Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
JF - Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
SN - 1040-6387
IS - 1
ER -