First report of Iridovirus (ISKNV) infection in Israeli mariculture gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) at the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Megalocytiviruses have caused mass mortalities in various farmed fish species, both edible and ornamental. Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) belongs to this family of viruses and induces lethal diseases in cultured fish. Here, we publish the first report describing this epizootic virus affecting the sea bream (Sparus aurata) in the offshore mariculture farm located in the Mediterranean Sea in Israel. The infectious agent was diagnosed with histology analysis and was identified as ISKNV by PCR.