Prevalence of antibodies to lymphocystis virus in estuarine flounder Platichthys flesus

Abstract

Serological surveys were conducted on flounder Platichthys flesus L., 1758 populations in 2 German estuaries. The prevalence of antibodies to lymphocystis virus (seroprevalence) was determined by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Both seroprevalence and antibody levels in lymphocystis virus antibody positive (seropositive) fish with no gross signs of disease increased with age. These findings suggest that recovery from lymphocystis is common and concomitant with the acquisition of some degree of immunity in the populations studled