Detection and characterization of the Lymphocystivirus in fish from Northeastern and Central-Eastern regions of State of São Paulo

• Grant number: 13/09542-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2013
• End date: June 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Luiz Moro de Sousa
• Grantee: Tiago Machado Carneiro Lucera
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Brazilian aquaculture is the agricultural sector with the highest growth in recent years and, like other livestock production systems presents challenges in sanity. In this context, viral diseases are considered a major cause of economic losses. Lymphocystis disease is a chronic, benign viral disease caused by viruses of the genus Lymphocystivirus, family Iridoviridae. This disease affects species of freshwater and marine fish in various parts of the world, including Brazil, causing severe economic losses. However, epidemiological data available for these viruses are minimal or nonexistent. In this context, the objective of this project is to perform molecular diagnostics of infections caused by Lymphocystivirus in fish from the state of São Paulo by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Tissue samples from fish specimens collected in cities of watersheds of the rivers Pardo and Mogi-Guaçu, both from commercial flocks and free-living populations, will be submitted to laboratory investigation of viral genetic material. It is believed that the results obtained in this study may contribute to the increase of information on fish species susceptible to this disease as well as to the geographical circulation of these viruses in the regions investigated, thereby providing support for the development of potential strategies to control the associated diseases. (AU)