Author
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GRAY, WAYNE - UAMS/LITTLE ROCK |
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WILLIAMS, RHONDA - UAMS/LITTLE ROCK |
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Griffin, Billy |
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Submitted to: Journal of Fish Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/1999 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: This is the first report of a rapid, accurate, diagnostic procedure for detecting channel catfish virus (CCV). The procedure employs modern DNA amplification techniques that result in multiple copies of specific genes. In this case the amplification can be restricted to just the genes peculiar to CCV, and none of the genes of the catfish are amplified. The multiple copies of the CCV are then broken apart and analysed with a technique that makes a fingerprint of the broken pieces. The fingerprint produced by CCV genes is different from fingerprints produced by catfish genes or anything else and can be easily differentiated. Technical Abstract: Channel catfish virus (CCV) causes an acute hemorrhagic disease in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fry and fingerlings. In this study, we describe a polymerase chair reaction (PCR) bassed assay for detection of CCV DNA in tissues of acutely infected jevenile catfish. The assay is rapid, sensitive, and specifically detects CCV DNA derived from epidemiologically distinct viral isolates. The use of two independent PCR primer sets, each specific for particular CCV genes (open reading frames 8 and 59), provides a means to confirm the results and minimize false-positive results. The method identifies CCV DNA in several tissues of acutely infected fish including brain, blood, intestine, kidney, and liver. The CCV PCR assay is useful for diagnosis of acute CCV disease and for studies to investigate the molecular basis of CCV pathogenesis. |
