Isolation, identification and immuno-pathogenesis of snakehead rhabdovirus-Indian strain (SHRV-In) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17017/j.fish.1481Keywords:
infectivity, phylogenetic analysis, RT-PCR, SHRV-In, tilapiaAbstract
Snakehead rhabdovirus (SHRV-In) is the most potentially destructive pathogen of snakehead, capable of causing up to 100% mortality within five days. The present study aimed to screen freshwater fishes in Tamil Nadu for the occurrence of SHRV-In and to assess its immuno-pathogenesis potential in Nile tilapia. Screening for rhabdovirus across six districts of Tamil Nadu, namely Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Madurai, Erode, Trichy and Thanjavur, revealed the occurrence of this virus in five districts, with five isolates recovered from snakehead and tilapia exhibiting scale loss, discolouration, dermal ulceration and haemorrhagic lesions. RT-PCR confirmed all isolates based on amplification of a 483-bp conserved region of the viral L polymerase gene. In addition, the non-virion (NV) gene, a unique feature of novirhabdoovirus, was amplified and confirmed with an expected genomic region of 218 bp. Phylogenetic analysis of the conserved L polymerase region revealed 96.03% nucleotide sequence identity with the previously reported SHRV-In strain. Experimental challenge of Nile tilapia with SHRV-In-TL induced clinical and pathological alterations, including haemorrhages, scale loss, cloudy eyes, darkening, visceral congestion and abdominal fluid accumulation. Significant alterations in histopathological, haematological and immune parameters were also observed, although no mortality occurred. These findings demonstrate that SHRV-In can be detected in tilapia and induce measurable sublethal physiological and pathological responses, highlighting the need for continued surveillance and investigations into its host range, replication dynamics and epidemiological significance in freshwater aquaculture.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Michael Priyadharshini, Panchavarnam Sivasankar, Bagthasingh Chrisolite, Palaniappan Subash, Velu Rani, Kandasamy Sekaran Vijay Amirtharaj, Mohaideenpitchai Mohamed Mansoor, Muthumariyapan Selvamagheswaran, Palraj Mageshkumar
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