Search

During the parasitological survey of cultured juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) Thunnus orientalis in 2007 and 2008, two myxosporeans and one microsporidian were found. Morphological and molecular analysis showed that the heart-infecting and brain-infecting myxosporeans are identified as Kudoa shiomitsui and K. yasunagai, respectively. This is a new host record for both species. High prevalence of infection (77-100%) with K. shiomitsui was observed in October to December (1-2 months post-transfer to sea cages), whereas only a few fish were infected with K. yasunagai. A microsporidian observed as white 'cysts' in the trunk muscle of PBT had a resemblance to Microsporidium seriolae, the causative parasite of beko disease in yellowtail. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the microsporidian from PBT is closely related to but distinct from several other muscle-infecting species such as M. seriolae, Microsporidium sp. RSB, and Microsporidium sp. SH. Additionally, the spore dimension (2.7 × 1.5 μm on average) was remarkably smaller than the others. These results suggest that the present microsporidian is an undescribed species and designated Microsporidium sp. PBT. Prevalence and intensity of infection with Microsporidium sp. PBT reached a maximum of 100% and 20 cysts/fish, respectively. Although pathogenic effects of the two Kudoa species on fish health remain unknown, the microsporidian could be of concern to PBT aquaculture due to unsightly cysts in the musculature, reducing the market value of the fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In immunization of fish with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly[I:C], a synthetic double-stranded RNA, injection of Poly(I:C) followed by challenge with a live virus induces a transient, non-specific antiviral state by interferon activity. When exposed to a virus while in this antiviral state, the fish acquire a specific and protective immunity against the corresponding viral disease and survive. In the present study, the effiacy of Poly(I:C) immunization was investigated in japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus using viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) as a model; the minimum dose of Poly(I:C) required for inducing protection and the duration of the antiviral state were determined, and a potentially curative effect of Poly(I:C) administration was assessed. The antiviral state was induced by administration of Poly(I:C) doses ranging from 12.5 to 200 microg fish(-1). Minimum dose to induce the antiviral state (relative percentage survival, RPS: 90%) was 12.5 microg fish(-1). No curative effect of Poly(I:C) was observed in fish pre-infected with VHSV. Fish injected with 200 microg Poly(I:C) fish(-1) were highly protected (RPS: 100%) from an artificial challenge with VHSV, and specific antibodies against VHSV were detected. The corresponding high level of antiviral state against VHSV was attained 1 d post Poly(I:C) injection, lasted for 6 d and susequently decreased. Moreover, the surviving fish were highly protected from re-challenge with VHSV (RPS: 100%). Thus, it was considered that an immunity against viral hemorrhagic septicemia was induced in the Japanese flounder by injecting live VHSV following Poly(I:C) administration.

Viral nervous necrosis (VNN), caused by a fish nodavirus, is one of the most serious fish diseases worldwide. Here we report a unique vaccination method in sevenband grouper Epinephelus septemfasciatus using a synthetic double-stranded RNA polyinosinic polycytidylic acid (Poly(I:C)), an interferon inducer, followed by challenge with a live fish nodavirus. Fish injected with Poly(I:C) at 200 microg fish(-1) were highly protected from artificial challenge with red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) (relative percentage survival, RPS: 100%), and specific antibodies against RGNNV were detected in sera from survivors. Moreover, the surviving fish were protected from rechallenge with RGNNV (relative percent survival RPS: 100%). Thus, it was confirmed that specific immunity against RGNNV was established in sevenband grouper by injection with live RGNNV following Poly(I:C) administration. Antiviral state was induced in fish by injection with Poly(I:C) at > or = 50 microg fish(-1), but no toxic response was observed in the fish even if Poly(I:C) was injected at a dose of 200 microg fish . In fish injected with Poly(I:C) at 200 pg fish(-1), a high level of antiviral state of > 90% RPS against RGNNV challenge lasted for at least 4 d after Poly(I:C) injection. However, no curative effect by Poly(I:C) injection was observed in fish already infected with RGNNV. It is considered that the present immunization method using Poly(I:C) followed by a live virus injection could offer protection against various viral infections in a broader range of fish species.