EXPERIMENTAL INFECTION OF THE CARP (CYPRINUS CARPIO) BY MOSQUITO IRIDOVIRUS

Experimental infection indicate that mosquito iridovirus (MIV), a chloriridovirus, is pathogenic for carp Cyprinus carpio. The cumulative mortality reached up to 60?100% within 8?14 d. Symptoms of inoculated carp included cessation of feeding and decreased ventilation. Just prior to death, the fish were lethargic. The infection was characterized by focal necrosis of the gill, kidney and liver. In inoculated carp, MIV was reisolated on larva Galeria mellonella from gill, kidney, spleen and liver. This is the first time that a virus isolated from a mosquito has been shown to cause mortalities in a fish species.