Experimental transmission, pathogenicity and physical-chemical properties of infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV)

The pathogenicity of infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) was examined by infection trials in the first known host species, the mandarinfish, Siniperca chuatsi, and in 20 other teleosts cultured in China. Mandarinfish and large-mouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, were highly susceptible to infection after intraperitoneal infection of ISKNV in spleen and kidney materials from infected fish. ISKNV did not induce mortality in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), but histopathological studies revealed that they might be infected by both bathing and intraperitoneal infection. No deaths, clinical or histopathological signs were found in the IS other species exposed by immersion or injection. Experimental infection studies showed that ISKNV infection in mandarinfish could be transmitted from infected to healthy fish through contaminated water. ISKN only occurred in mandarinfish cultured at temperature above 20degreesC. The resistance of the virus to treatment with disinfectants, high and low pH and UV irradiation, as well as storage at selected temperatures was assessed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.