Freshwater crayfish Astacus astacus - a vector for infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV)

Abstract

Freshwater crayfish Astacus astacus were experimentally infected with infectious pan- creatric necrosis virus (IPNV) strain Sp by injection, by waterbath immersion, by administration of virus in feed, and by exposure to IPNV-infected fry of rainbow trout Salmo gairdnen. IPNV was found in crayfish organs and haemolymph up to l yr after infection. Crayfish excreted IPNV into the water continuously. Fry and eggs of rainbow trout immersed into that water became infected with IPNV. IPNV particles were demonstrable by electron microscopy in the granules of crayfish haemocytes. Results indicate that the freshwater crayfish could play a role in the epizootiology of IPN.