Isolation and characterization of frog virus 3-like strain detected in American bull frogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) in São Paulo State

• Grant number: 14/03463-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2014
• End date: June 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Luiz Moro de Sousa
• Grantee: Anna Luiza Farias Alencar
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 15/04027-6 - Experimental infection of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) with piscine reovirus and virus Y, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Aquiculture is appointed as a strategic market for sustainable development, food production and expansion of unexplored frontiers in Brazil. However, just like other animal production systems, this area faces problems due its intensification, like the production sanitation aspects and the lack of structure for the diagnosis of major infectious diseases. During the last 20 years, viruses from Iridoviridae family, especially Ranavirus genera, have been responsible for major economic and ecological impactant epizootic diseases in a great number of fish, amphibian and reptile species in many parts of the world. However, information on the occurrence of infections in fishes and amphibians caused by ranavirus in Brazil are limited. In this context, this project aims to: isolate a Frog Virus 3-like strain detected in São Paulo state in cell culture, with nucleotide sequencing of MCP gene and proceed to phenotipical characterization and replication kinetics of the strain. Liver, spleen and kidney samples from american bullfrogs from commercial frog ponds, positive by molecular diagnostic for Ranavirus, will be used for viral isolation in cell culture. In addition to isolation, the viral characterization will be carried out with the construction of a growth curve, realization of a plaque assay and chloroform sensitivity. The results obtained in this study will contribute to the understanding of the biology of the circulating iridovirus in São Paulo state as an etiological agent of ranavirus infection in amphibians.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ALENCAR, Anna Luiza Farias. Isolation and characterization of Frog Virus 3-like strain detected in american bull frogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) in São Paulo State. 2016. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Zootecnica e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZE/BT) Pirassununga.