Investigation of the occurrence of infections caused by viruses of the family Iridoviridae in fish from northeastern and central-eastern regions of Sao Paulo State, Brazil.

• Grant number: 11/19002-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2012
• End date: March 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Luiz Moro de Sousa
• Grantee: SABRINA RIBEIRO DE ALMEIDA QUEIROZ
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Brazilian aquaculture is the agricultural field with the highest growth in recent years and, like other livestock production systems, face sanitary issues. In this context, viral diseases are considered a major cause of economic losses. Over the past 20 years, viruses of the family Iridoviridae have been responsible for outbreaks of major ecological and economic impacts on fish and amphibians of importance to aquaculture in various parts of world, including Brazil. However, epidemiological data available for many viruses are minimal or nonexistent. In Brazil, for example, the reports are restricted to amphibians, with mass mortality. In this context, the main objective of this project is to investigate the presence of infections caused by viruses of the family Iridoviridae in fish from the state of São Paulo, Brazil. To this end, fish specimens will be collected in cities of watersheds of the rivers Pardo and Mogi-Guaçu, both of commercial flocks and free-living. The specimens will be characterized according to species and clinical aspects, and submitted to laboratory investigation of infectious particles and viral genetic material of the family Iridoviridae. Later, it will make the molecular characterization of detected genomic sequences by nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. It is believed that the results obtained in this study may contribute to a better understanding of the etiology and epidemiology of viral diseases in fish. In addition, the information gained will provide necessary support for the development and establishment of potential strategies to control diseases caused by iridovirus.