Betanodavirus meningoencephalitis in an Atlantic blue marlin

Viral nervous necrosis (viral encephalopathy and retinopathy) is caused by piscine nodavirus (Nodaviridae, Betanodavirus). Since 1986, this highly infectious virus has caused mass mortalities of up to 100% in farmed saltwater and freshwater fish around the world (with the exception of South America and Antarctica), affecting >60 species across 10 orders. The Atlantic blue marlin (Makaira nigricans Lacépède, 1802) is a top-level predator found throughout the tropical waters of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans. Despite their popularity as a sportfish, relatively little is known about the Atlantic blue marlin and other billfish. We describe here chronic betanodavirus infection in a juvenile Atlantic blue marlin, which is, to our knowledge, the first report of disease in M. nigricans.

Nervous Necrosis Virus Modulation of European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.) Immune Genes and Transcriptome towards Establishment of Virus Carrier State

Viral infections of teleost fish have great environmental and economic implications in aquaculture. Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) is a pathogen affecting more than 120 different species, causing high mortality and morbidity. Herein, we studied the course of NNV experimental infection of D. labrax, focusing on survivors which indicated viral carrier state. To determine the carrier state of D. labrax head kidney, we performed a gene expression analysis of selected immune-related genes and we profiled its transcriptome 14 days post infection (dpi). All tested genes showed clear differentiations in expression levels while most of them were up-regulated 14 dpi suggesting that their role is not limited in early antiviral responses, but they are also implicated in disease persistence. To gain a better understanding of the fish that survived the acute infection but still maintained a high viral load, we studied the differential expression of 124 up-regulated and 48 down-regulated genes in D. labrax head kidney, at 14 dpi. Concluding, the NNV virus persistent profile was assessed in D. labrax, where immune-related gene modification was intense (14 dpi) and the head kidney transcriptome profile at this time point offered a glimpse into host attempts to control the infection in asymptomatic carriers.

Redspotted Grouper Nervous Necrosis Virus and the Reassortant RGNNV/SJNNV In Vitro Susceptibility against a Commercial Peroxy-Acid Biocide under Different Conditions of Use

Aquaculture is a constantly growing sector. The intensification of fish production and the movement of aquatic animals could cause the spread of infectious diseases. Remarkably, the diffusion of viral agents represents the major bottleneck for finfish production, and viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) is considered the most impacting disease for Mediterranean aquaculture. No effective therapies are available to contrast VER, and vaccination can be applied only in grow-out facilities. Hence, programs to minimize the sanitary risks in farms are paramount to implementing hygienic standards and biosecurity. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro virucidal activity of a peroxy-acid disinfectant (Virkon^® S, DuPont, Sudbury, UK) towards the two NNV strains most widespread in the Mediterranean Sea. Remarkably, two protocols were applied to assess the virucidal activity under different conditions of use: the suspension test and the net test. The latter has been applied to evaluate the efficacy of the biocide on instruments, simulating the in-field application. The obtained results demonstrated the suitability of the tested biocide for NNV inactivation, being effective under some of the tested conditions. However, the presence of organic matter, the concentration of the product, and the application conditions can significantly affect the result of the disinfection procedure.

Genetic Basis for Resistance Against Viral Nervous Necrosis: GWAS and Potential of Genomic Prediction Explored in Farmed European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) is an infectious disease caused by the red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) in European sea bass and is considered a serious concern for the aquaculture industry with fry and juveniles being highly susceptible. To understand the genetic basis for resistance against VNN, a survival phenotype through the challenge test against the RGNNV was recorded in populations from multiple year classes (YC2016 and YC2017). A total of 4,851 individuals from 181 families were tested, and a subset (n∼1,535) belonging to 122 families was genotyped using a ∼57K Affymetrix Axiom array. The survival against the RGNNV showed low to moderate heritability with observed scale estimates of 0.18 and 0.25 obtained using pedigree vs. genomic information, respectively. The genome-wide association analysis showed a strong signal of quantitative trait loci (QTL) at LG12 which explained ∼33% of the genetic variance. The QTL region contained multiple genes (ITPK1, PLK4, HSPA4L, REEP1, CHMP2, MRPL35, and SCUBE) with HSPA4L and/or REEP1 genes being highly relevant with a likely effect on host response in managing disease-associated symptoms. The results on the accuracy of predicting breeding values presented 20–43% advantage in accuracy using genomic over pedigree-based information which varied across model types and applied validation schemes.

Mass mortalities associated with viral nervous necrosis in Murray cod in China

In December 2019, a mass mortality among cultured Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) fry occurred on a freshwater farm located at Foshan city of Guangdong province, China. The cumulative mortality was up to 45% within 15 days. The diseased fish showed clinical signs, including abnormal swimming behaviour, loss of appetite and dark body colouration before mass mortality. Samples of brain and retina tissues were collected from affected fish and subjected to reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction detection and virus isolation in cell culture. Approximately 430 bp product was detected from the brain and retina tissues and culture supernatant of betanodavirus-infected SSN-1 cells. The typical cytopathic effect of betanodavirus infection, which is characterized by vacuolation, was observed in SSN-1 cells at three days after inoculating with the tissue filtrate of diseased Murry cod fry, and the TCID₅₀ of the infected SSN-1 cell supernatant was 10^7.8 . Histopathological examinations revealed vacuolation and necrosis in the brain and retina of naturally and experimentally infected Murray cod fry. Electron microscopic observation also showed the aggregation of numerous spherical, non-enveloped viral particles measuring 22-28 nm in diameter in the cytoplasm of betanodavirus-infected SSN-1 cells. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis based on RdRp and Cp genes further indicated that the betanodavirus isolated from Murray cod belonged to the RGNNV genotype. Much higher mortality was obtained in challenged Murray cod fry compared with the controls through immersion challenge. This study is the first report of the natural infection of betanodavirus in freshwater fish in China.

Update on the Inactivation Procedures for the Vaccine Development Prospects of a New Highly Virulent RGNNV Isolate

Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) caused by the nervous necrosis virus (NNV) affects a broad range of primarily marine fish species, with mass mortality rates often seen among larvae and juveniles. Its genetic diversification may hinder the effective implementation of preventive measures such as vaccines. The present study describes different inactivation procedures for developing an inactivated vaccine against a new NNV isolate confirmed to possess deadly effects upon the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), an important Mediterranean farmed fish species that is highly susceptible to this disease. First, an NNV isolate from seabass adults diagnosed with VNN was rescued and the sequences of its two genome segments (RNA1 and RNA2) were classified into the red-spotted grouper NNV (RGNNV) genotype, closely clustering to the highly pathogenic 283.2009 isolate. The testing of different inactivation procedures revealed that the virus particles of this isolate showed a marked resistance to heat (for at least 60 °C for 120 min with and without 1% BSA) but that they were fully inactivated by 3 mJ/cm² UV-C irradiation and 24 h 0.2% formalin treatment, which stood out as promising NNV-inactivation procedures for potential vaccine candidates. Therefore, these procedures are feasible, effective, and rapid response strategies for VNN control in aquaculture.

Nervous Necrosis Virus-like Particle (VLP) Vaccine Stimulates European Sea Bass Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses and Induces Long-Term Protection against Disease

The rapidly increasing Mediterranean aquaculture production of European sea bass is compromised by outbreaks of viral nervous necrosis, which can be recurrent and detrimental. In this study, we evaluated the duration of protection and immune response in sea bass given a single dose of a virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccine. Examinations included experimental challenge with nervous necrosis virus (NNV), serological assays for NNV-specific antibody reactivity, and immune gene expression analysis. VLP-vaccinated fish showed high and superior survival in challenge both 3 and 7.5 months (1800 and 4500 dd) post-vaccination (RPS 87 and 88, OR (surviving) = 16.5 and 31.5, respectively, p < 0.01). Although not providing sterile immunity, VLP vaccination seemed to control the viral infection, as indicated by low prevalence of virus in the VLP-vaccinated survivors. High titers of neutralizing and specific antibodies were produced in VLP-vaccinated fish and persisted for at least ~9 months post-vaccination as well as after challenge. However, failure of immune sera to protect recipient fish in a passive immunization trial suggested that other immune mechanisms were important for protection. Accordingly, gene expression analysis revealed that VLP-vaccination induced a mechanistically broad immune response including upregulation of both innate and adaptive humoral and cellular components (mx, isg12, mhc I, mhc II, igm, and igt). No clinical side effects of the VLP vaccination at either tissue or performance levels were observed. The results altogether suggested the VLP-based vaccine to be suitable for clinical testing under farming conditions.

Risk factors associated with viral nervous necrosis in hybrid groupers in Malaysia and the high similarity of its causative agent nervous necrosis virus to reassortant red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus/striped jack nervous necrosis virus strains

Background and Aim:

Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) is a serious disease of several marine fish species. VNN causes 100% mortality in the larval stages, while lower losses have been reported in juvenile and adult fish. This study aimed to detect the occurrence of VNN while identifying its associated risk factors and the genotypes of its causative agent in a hybrid grouper hatchery in Malaysia.

Materials and Methods:

A batch of newly hatched hybrid grouper fry (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × Epinephelus lanceolatus) were followed from the larval stage to market size. Samples of the hybrid groupers, water, live feed, and artificial fish pellets were collected periodically from day 0 to 180 in the hybrid grouper hatchery. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested PCR amplifications were carried out on VNN-related sequences. The phylogenetic tree including the sampled causative agent of VNN was inferred from the coat protein genes from all known Betanodavirus species using Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA). Pearson’s correlation coefficient values were calculated to determine the strength of the correlation between the presence of VNN in hybrid grouper samples and its associated risk factors.

Results:

A total of 113 out of 146 pooled and individual samples, including hybrid grouper, water, and artificial fish pellet samples, demonstrated positive results in tests for the presence of VNN-associated viruses. The clinical signs of infection observed in the samples included darkened skin, deformation of the backbone, abdominal distension, skin lesions, and fin erosion. VNN was present throughout the life stages of the hybrid groupers, with the first detection occurring at day 10. VNN-associated risk factors included water temperature, dissolved oxygen content, salinity, ammonia level, fish size (adults more at risk than younger stages), and life stage (age). Detection of VNN-associated viruses in water samples demonstrated evidence of horizontal transmission of the disease. All the nucleotide sequences found in this study had high nucleotide identities of 88% to 100% to each other, striped jack nervous necrosis virus (SJNNV), and the reassortant strain red-spotted grouper NNV/SJNNV (RGNNV/SJNNV) isolate 430.2004 (GenBank accession number JN189932.1) (n=26). The phylogenetic analysis showed that quasispecies was present in each VNN-causing virus-positive sample, which differed based on the type of sample and life stage.

Conclusion:

This study was the first to confirm the existence of a reassortant strain (RGNNV/SJNNV) in hybrid groupers from Malaysia and Southeast Asia. However, the association between the mode of transmission and the risk factors of this virus needs to be investigated further to understand the evolution and potential new host species of the reassortant strain.

Complete genome sequence and pathogenic analysis of a new betanodavirus isolated from shellfish

We determined the complete genomic RNA sequence of a new type of betanodavirus Korea shellfish nervous necrosis virus (KSNNV) isolated from shellfish. Compared with other isolates representing four genotypes of betanodaviruses, the identity of the whole nucleotide sequence of the virus was in the range of 76%-83% with the presence of specific genetic motifs and formed a separate new branch in the phylogenetic analysis. In pathogenic analysis by immersion method, KSNNV-KOR1 shows 100% cumulative mortality like SFRG10/2012BGGa1 (RGNNV) in newly hatched sevenband grouper and mandarin fish, which is clearly different from those found in negative control groups. There were no significant differences in increasing rates of mortality and viral intra-tissue concentration of larval fishes infected with KSNNV-KOR1 at both 20 and 25°C water temperature. Histopathological examination of each fish species in the moribund stage revealed the presence of clear vacuoles in both brain and retinal tissues similar to typical histopathology features of RGNNV. In the present study, we first report a new betanodavirus from shellfish as the aetiological agent of viral nervous necrosis disease in fish with complete genomic nucleotide sequence and pathogenic analysis.

Resistance of pearlspot larvae, Etroplus suratensis, to redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus by immersion challenge

Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) affects more than 120 species mostly belonging to the order Perciformes. However, none of the brackishwater species belonging to the family Cichlidae under the order Perciformes are reported to be susceptible. Hence, the present experiment was undertaken to study the susceptibility of the brackishwater cichlid, pearlspot, Etroplus suratensis to NNV. Thirty-day-old pearlspot larvae were infected with NNV by immersion. Mortality was recorded till 14 days post-infection, and the infected larvae were subjected to nested RT-PCR and histology. The virus was isolated from infected larvae using SSN-1 cells. To study the replication of the virus in vitro, primary cultured brain cells of E. suratensis and IEK cells were infected with NNV. No mortality was observed in any of the control or experimentally infected larvae. However, the experimentally infected larvae were positive for NNV by nested RT-PCR and the virus was isolated using SSN-1 cells. Further, the infected pearlspot brain cells and IEK cells showed cytopathic effect at second and third passage of the virus and they were positive for NNV by nested RT-PCR. Pearlspot is relatively resistant to VNN although the virus could replicate in the larvae and in cell culture.

Risk factors of a viral nervous necrosis disease in grouper (Epinephelus spp.) cultured in Bintan district, Indonesia

Aim:

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of viral nervous necrosis (VNN) disease in tiger grouper cultured in the floating net cage in Bintan district, Indonesia.

Materials and Methods:

Sampling used multiple stages with ponds as interest units. The selection conducted by systematic random sampling from the entire net cage in Bintan district. The fish samples were selected based on the appearance of clinical signs of infected fish. The risk factors investigated in this study included net cage, technical, and sample fish information, culture, water quality, and feed management. A total of 195 fishes pooled to the 39 net cages and tested using the nested polymerase chain reaction technique to determine the VNN status. The brain and eye processed for histopathology.

Results:

The prevalence rate of VNN on the net cage was 38% (15/39). The risk factors affecting VNN using bivariate analysis was cleaning the net (χ²=9.80; p=0.002), replacement of net cage (χ²=5.20; p=0.0226), and floating net cage technicians knowledge (χ²=4.13; p=0.042). The variables of positive risk factors affecting VNN by multivariate analysis were the juvenile source and the level of mid-weather changes (technician experience and dissolved oxygen [DO]). Seven variables associated to the VNN outbreak have detected. The positive multiplier factors were the source of juveniles, mid weather changes, technician experience, and the DO, while the negative factors were salinity, mixed feed, and the low weather changes. Histopathologically, the grouper fish showed the brain, eye, and muscle vacuolization and kidney necrosis.

Conclusion:

It proves that the Bintan waters contaminated by VNN had a prevalence rate of 38% from the total sample based on bivariate method, net cleaning, net replacement, and knowledge on the VNN outbreak. Natural infection of VNN in grouper leads to vacuolization of the brain, the eye, and muscles nearby the eye as well the kidney necrosis.

Isolation and initial characterization of new betanodaviruses in shellfish

Betanodaviruses cause the disease viral nervous necrosis (VNN) in finfish. Using a novel approach with two consecutive PCRs, detection semi-nested two-step RT-PCR (DSN-2 RT-PCR) and discriminative multiplex two-step RT-PCR (DMT-2 RT-PCR), we have identified the presence of a new type of betanodavirus in shellfish and called it Korean shellfish nervous necrosis virus (KSNNV). Partial nucleotide sequences of the T4 region in RNA2 fragment of KSNNVs were 73%-75% homologous to those of other reported genotypes and formed a new cluster of betanodavirus in phylogenetic tree analysis. Successful isolation of KSNNV was achieved in two of six shellfish samples containing high concentrations of virus using the blind passage method, and the typical shapes of betanodavirus were confirmed in KSNNV-KOR1 by electron microscopy. In the experimental infection test, seven of 14 fish species showed susceptibility to KSNNV-KOR1 isolate but without clinical signs or death. Although the range of susceptible host species was not significantly different from the RGNNV type, the concentration of KSNNV in the brain of infected fish (10² -10⁵ copies/mg brain) was much lower compared to that found in sevenband grouper (Epinephelus septemfasciatus Thunberg) sampled in the moribund stage with RGNNV infection (10⁶ -10⁷ copies/mg brain). However, histopathological analyses showed the presence of multiple vacuoles in brains of all KSNNV-infected fish at 14 days postinjection. In detection test, as a single or multiple type with the other genotype(s) (RGNNV or BFNNV), the prevalence of KSNNV was 8.4% and 8.7% in domestic (62 of 741 samples) and Chinese samples (12 of 138 samples), respectively, but not in finfish. We propose that KSNNVs obtained from shellfish be classified into a separate and new genotype of betanodavirus.

First report of viral nervous necrosis-induced mass mortality in hatchery-reared larvae of clownfish, Amphiprion sebae Bleeker

Frequent mortality was observed in the larval rearing facility of marine clownfish, Amphiprion sebae Bleeker. Mortality resulted in 80% loss of larval stock. Moribund larvae showed clinical signs typical of viral nervous necrosis, such as uncoordinated, corkscrew-like swimming behaviour, hypersensitivity to stimuli, darkening of body and assembly into large groups, similar to bunches of grapes. The aetiology of the disease was confirmed by gross observation of clinical signs, histopathology and molecular diagnosis. Histological studies revealed severe vacuolation in the brain and in the bipolar and ganglion layers of the eye. Molecular diagnosis by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) specific to piscine nodavirus yielded a positive result. The partial nucleotide sequences of the PCR-amplified fragment were 97-98% similar to other betanodavirus isolates reported globally and more closely aligned with red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV). This is the first report of susceptibility of clownfish, A. sebae, to betanodavirus and the presence of the RGNNV in India.

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of Toll-like receptor 3 gene in orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) plays an important role in activating innate immune responses during viral infection. In this report, TLR3 (EcTLR3) was characterized and analyzed for the first time in Epinephelus coioides. The full-length EcTLR3 cDNA is predicted to encode a 909 amino acid polypeptide that contains a signal peptide sequence, 18 leucine-rich repeat (LRR) motifs, a transmembrane region and a Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the EcTLR3 mRNA was much more abundant in the liver than in other immune organs, and that the expression levels were very low in hemocyte and muscle. During development of the grouper, the levels of EcTLR3 transcripts increased with age, with very low expression levels at the early stages of development. EcTLR3 mRNA levels were examined in the liver at different times after treatment with polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:C), and in nervous necrosis virus (NNV)-infected larval groupers. The results suggested that EcTLR3 plays an important role in a fish's defense against viral infection.