Fins are an applicable organ for PCR-based diagnosis of koi herpesvirus disease in clinical fish

Abstract

We investigated the applicable organ to detect DNA of cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3), the causative agent of koi herpesvirus disease (KHVD). CyHV-3 DNA was detected at the highest positive rate in the caudal fin among several organs including gills, kidney and spleen of the fish sequentially sampled after experimental exposure to the virus. Moreover, CyHV-3 DNA was detected in the caudal and pectoral fins of all dead fish collected in a natural KHVD case. Since fins are an easily accessible organ, they can be an applicable organ for PCR-based diagnosis of KHVD in clinical fish.