First Molecular Detection of Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus (ISKNV) and the Parasite Centrocestus formosanus in the Ornamental Fish Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) in Chile

Abstract

Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus (ISKNV) is a significant fish pathogen historically reported in East and Southeast Asia and increasingly detected in other regions, often in association with the international movement of ornamental fish. Centrocestus formosanus is a digenean trematode of sanitary and economic relevance, with zoonotic potential, that uses snails and fish as intermediate hosts. In this study, ornamental fish representing 24 species were sampled from 13 quarantine facilities across Chile. ISKNV was detected in samples of platy fish (Xiphophorus maculatus) from two quarantine facilities in the Metropolitana district in Chile, both supplied by the same exporter in the State of Florida (United States). C. formosanus metacercariae were also detected in the gills of two ISKNV-positive platy fish. These results represent the first molecular detection of ISKNV and C. formosanus in ornamental fish in Chile and highlight the relevance of targeted surveillance for high-risk pathogens in imported ornamental fish.