Lymphocystis disease virus: its importance in aquaculture

• Published in: Reviews in aquaculture Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 179 - 193
• Main Authors: Borrego, Juan J., Valverde, Estefania J., Labella, Alejandro M., Castro, Dolores
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Burwood Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-06-2017
• Subjects: Aquaculture; Aquaculture systems; Cells; Connective tissue; Connective tissues; Control; control measures; Control methods; diagnostic methods; Diagnostic systems; Diseases; Economic impact; Economics; Epizootiology; Fish; Fish diseases; Freshwater; Freshwater environments; Freshwater fish; Geographical distribution; Hypertrophy; Incidence; Information dissemination; Inland water environment; Lymphocystis; Lymphocystis disease virus; Marine fish; Marine fishes; Measurement methods; Pathogenesis; Properties; Reviews; Taxonomy; Tissue; Viral diseases; Viruses
• ISSN: 1753-5123; 1753-5131
• DOI: 10.1111/raq.12131

Lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) is the causative agent of a well‐known fish viral disease that is characterized by hypertrophy of fibroblastic cells in the connective tissue. This viral disease affects more than 125 wild and cultured species of teleost fish from marine and freshwater environments and has a cosmopolitan geographical distribution. In aquaculture systems, the prevalence of LCDV infection is very high, likely reflecting the horizontal transmission of this virus. The incidence rate of the disease may reach 70%, causing significant economic losses for the aquaculture industry. This review provides information on the taxonomy, viral properties, epizootiology and pathogenesis, diagnostic methods and control measures of LCDV infection in fish.