First detection of infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) associated with massive mortalities in farmed tilapia in Africa.

ABSTRACT: In late 2018, unusual patterns of very high mortality (>50% production) were reported in intensive tilapia cage culture systems across Lake Volta in Ghana. Samples of fish and fry were collected and analysed from two affected farms between October 2018 and February 2019. Affected fish showed darkening, erratic swimming and abdominal distension with associated ascites. Histopathological observations of tissues taken from moribund fish at different farms revealed lesions indicative of viral infection. These included haematopoietic cell nuclear and cytoplasmic pleomorphism with marginalization of chromatin and fine granulation. Transmission electron microscopy showed cells containing conspicuous virions with typical iridovirus morphology, that is enveloped, with icosahedral and/or polyhedral

SUBMITTER: Ramirez-Paredes JG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8246855 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature