Pathological and Molecular Characterization of Lymphocystis Disease Virus (LCDV) In Sea Bream Fish in Egypt

Abstract

Hypertrophied nodules or papilloma like lesions were detected in the skin and fin of Sea bream farms (at Mothalath El Deba and Bardaweil Lake) in Egypt with morbidity rate reached to 70% and mortality rate up to 40%. A total of 20 affected cultured sea bream samples were collected for laboratory examinations. Histopathological examination revealed intracytoplasmic basophilic inclusion bodies in the skin and fins lesions. In addition, a thick hyaline capsule surrounding the hypertrophied fibroblast and contain heavily enlarged cells (lymphocystis) with necrosis and inflammatory response. PCR results with primers specific for the gene encoding major capsid protein (MCP) gave a predicted amplified product at 405 bp fragment by agarose gel electrophoresis. The current results encourage further investigations for this virus in Egyptian farms and recommend the development of prevention strategies against LCDV in Egypt.