{"title":"Molecular surveillance and genetic characterization of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in rainbow trout farms of East Azerbaijan, Iran","authors":"Amin Reza Makhdoum , Amin Gholamhosseini , Mohammadreza Ghorani , Vahideh Taghadosi , Nasser Hajipour","doi":"10.1016/j.rvsc.2025.105894","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), a member of the <em>Birnaviridae</em> family, is a significant pathogen in salmonid aquaculture, causing notable economic losses worldwide. This study aimed to detect and genetically characterize IPNV in rainbow trout (<em>Oncorhynchus mykiss</em>) farms in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Sampling was conducted at 12 farms. Five tissue samples were taken from each farm. A total of 60 tissue samples from juvenile fish (<10 g) were collected across 12 farms. RNA was extracted and subjected to nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the NS/VP3 region in segment A of the IPNV genome. The virus was detected in 8 out of 60 samples (13.3 %), with positive cases identified in three farms. Sequencing was performed on four positive samples. Sequence analysis of four representative isolates (PP316090, PP316091, PP429499, PP429500) revealed high nucleotide similarity to previously reported Iranian strains from Shiraz and Ahvaz, as well as European strains, particularly from Spain and Turkey. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed close clustering with endemic Iranian isolates, indicating minimal genetic variation and possible intra-regional transmission. The persistence of genetically stable strains over time suggests that current biosecurity measures may be insufficient to prevent viral spread. These results highlight the need for improved monitoring systems, targeted molecular diagnostics, and the development of region-specific vaccines to manage IPNV effectively. Furthermore, the genetic resemblance to European isolates highlights the importance of broader epidemiological studies. Continued molecular surveillance and strain tracking are essential for early detection and control. Future studies should also explore the pathogenic potential of local strains and assess their impact on fish health and farm productivity under field conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21083,"journal":{"name":"Research in veterinary science","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 105894"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Research in veterinary science","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034528825003686","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"VETERINARY SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), a member of the Birnaviridae family, is a significant pathogen in salmonid aquaculture, causing notable economic losses worldwide. This study aimed to detect and genetically characterize IPNV in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farms in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Sampling was conducted at 12 farms. Five tissue samples were taken from each farm. A total of 60 tissue samples from juvenile fish (<10 g) were collected across 12 farms. RNA was extracted and subjected to nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the NS/VP3 region in segment A of the IPNV genome. The virus was detected in 8 out of 60 samples (13.3 %), with positive cases identified in three farms. Sequencing was performed on four positive samples. Sequence analysis of four representative isolates (PP316090, PP316091, PP429499, PP429500) revealed high nucleotide similarity to previously reported Iranian strains from Shiraz and Ahvaz, as well as European strains, particularly from Spain and Turkey. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed close clustering with endemic Iranian isolates, indicating minimal genetic variation and possible intra-regional transmission. The persistence of genetically stable strains over time suggests that current biosecurity measures may be insufficient to prevent viral spread. These results highlight the need for improved monitoring systems, targeted molecular diagnostics, and the development of region-specific vaccines to manage IPNV effectively. Furthermore, the genetic resemblance to European isolates highlights the importance of broader epidemiological studies. Continued molecular surveillance and strain tracking are essential for early detection and control. Future studies should also explore the pathogenic potential of local strains and assess their impact on fish health and farm productivity under field conditions.
期刊介绍:
Research in Veterinary Science is an International multi-disciplinary journal publishing original articles, reviews and short communications of a high scientific and ethical standard in all aspects of veterinary and biomedical research.
The primary aim of the journal is to inform veterinary and biomedical scientists of significant advances in veterinary and related research through prompt publication and dissemination. Secondly, the journal aims to provide a general multi-disciplinary forum for discussion and debate of news and issues concerning veterinary science. Thirdly, to promote the dissemination of knowledge to a broader range of professions, globally.
High quality papers on all species of animals are considered, particularly those considered to be of high scientific importance and originality, and with interdisciplinary interest. The journal encourages papers providing results that have clear implications for understanding disease pathogenesis and for the development of control measures or treatments, as well as those dealing with a comparative biomedical approach, which represents a substantial improvement to animal and human health.
Studies without a robust scientific hypothesis or that are preliminary, or of weak originality, as well as negative results, are not appropriate for the journal. Furthermore, observational approaches, case studies or field reports lacking an advancement in general knowledge do not fall within the scope of the journal.