MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF VIRAL DISEASES IN FISHES

Abstract

The paper provides information about the main viral diseases of fish found in Ukraine and methods of their diagnosis. Rapid diagnosis of fish viruses using polymerase chain reaction is an affordable and relevant way to monitor and prevent outbreaks of viral diseases. The work of the Laboratory of Biotechnology in Aquaculture of the Institute of Fisheries of NAAS is aimed to develop diagnostic kits for infectious diseases of fish and conducting research in accordance with the procedure of surveillance of fish diseases. For developing diagnostic test systems, attention is paid to the trends of cultured fish species and aquafarming as well as to viruses that circulate in Ukraine or can pass into the Ukrainian aquaculture from neighboring countries. An important role is given to the study of genetic variability of fish viruses, characterized by varying types of virulence. Examples of application the techniques in carrying out diagnostics for the purpose of identification of an infectious agent and the reason of an epizootic are resulted.
 A comparative analysis of techniques, components of kits and reagents for optimizing the polymerase chain reaction and its modifications, which can significantly reduce the process of identification of fish viruses, are given. Target genes for oligonucleotide primers selection for PCR diagnosis of viral diseases of fish, namely spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV), cyprinid herpesvirus type 3 (CyHV-3 or KHV), carp edema virus (CEV), infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV), infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV), Acipenser iridovirus European (AcIV-E).