Isolation and characterization of a novel reovirus from white bream Blicca bjoerkna

Abstract

During a fish health inspection in the Viennese waterway 'Old Danube', a virus was isolated exclusively from white bream Blicca bjoerkna (L.) (formerly Abramis bjoerkna L.), one of the most abundant cyprinids present and not known as a host species for this virus. The virus preferentially replicated in cultures of the epithelioma papulosum cyprini cell line where focal plaques of infection developed slowly. Examination of infected cell cultures by electron microscopy revealed non-enveloped 60 to 70 nm icosahedral virions that had characteristic multiple segregated protrusions of their outer capsid. A partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene sequence was obtained and a BLAST search indicated 76% identity to golden shiner reovirus and grass carp reovirus. These results suggested that the virus belonged to the genus Aquareovirus (Family Reoviridae). Phylogenetic analysis placed the isolated virus within a clade of the species Aquareovirus C species. Accordingly, the virus was tentatively designated as white bream reovirus (WBRV) strain A-127/06 within the species Aquareovirus C.

Whole-Genome Analysis of a Novel Fish Reovirus (MsReV) Discloses Aquareovirus Genomic Structure Relationship with Host in Saline Environments

“…An increasing number of different reoviruses have been isolated from marine and fresh water in the past years [ 8 , 28 , 34 , 45 ]. Emergence of new infectious diseases in lower vertebrates (e.g., fish) or human is not a new phenomenon [ 46 ].…”

“…Genus Aquareovirus belonging to the family Reoviridae can infect a wide variety of aquatic animals, including crustacean, shellfish, and fish [ 2 ]. These viruses are capable of causing severe hemorrhagic disease in fish and syncytia in cell culture, and have been isolated from hosts in both freshwater and saline environments worldwide [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Viruses in genus Aquareovirus have 11 dsRNA segments (S1–S11) [ 2 ].…”

Fish reovirus GCReV-109 VP33 protein elicits protective immunity in rare minnows

“…Aquareoviruses are non-enveloped and contain 11 segments (S1-S11) of linear double-stranded RNA [2], which encode seven structural proteins (VP1-VP7) and five nonstructural proteins [3]. A number of aquareoviruses have been isolated in various parts of the world, and more than 15 aquareovirus genomes have been completely sequenced [4], including those of Scophthalmus maximus reovirus (SMReV) and grass carp reovirus strain 109 (GCReV-109), previously reported by our laboratory [5,6].…”