In situ Hybridization of a Megalocytivirus Using Nucleic Acid Probes against ATPase and the Major Capsid Protein of Rock Bream Iridovirus

Systemic infections of maricultured fishes by Megalocytivirus species have occurred over a broad area in South Korea, causing extensive economic loss. We developed digoxigenin-labeled nucleic acid probes against the 230-bp ATPase and 311-bp major capsid protein (MCP) of rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus iridovirus (RBIV) using polymerase chain reaction, and an in situ hybridization (ISH) method to detect Megalocytivirus in formalin-fixed tissues of mariculture species (rock bream, sea bass, and olive flounder). ISH-positive cells were abundant in the hematopoietic and connective tissues of various organs, while brain tissue showed little or no signal. The ISH procedure can become an important diagnostic tool in complement with histopathological methods, and advances epidemiological studies on the origin and distribution of Megalocytivirus in mariculture.