Susceptibility of rainbow trout to three different genogroups of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is a globally distributed viral disease that is highly prevalent in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss farms in Finland. Seven genogroups (1-7) of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) exist, of which genogroup 5 (serotype Sp) is generally considered to be the most virulent in European salmonid farming. In Finland, 3 genogroups (2, 5 and 6) have been detected. Genogroup 2 is the most widespread and to date is the only genogroup associated with clinical disease in field observations. A bath challenge model infection trial was conducted to investigate the potential pathogenicity of the existing Finnish IPNV genogroups on IPNV-negative rainbow trout fry. Three Finnish IPNV isolates, a positive control (a Norwegian genogroup 5 isolate previously associated with high virulence in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar) and a negative control were used, and mortality was recorded daily for 8 wk. The Finnish IPNV genogroup 5 isolate caused the highest cumulative mortality, and the genogroup 2 isolate also caused elevated mortalities. The genogroup 6 isolate caused only low mortality, and the positive control treatment showed negligible mortality. Fish exposed to the Finnish genogroup 2 and 5 isolates had IPN-associated lesions, while no lesions were noted in the other treatment groups. These results indicate that Finnish IPNV genogroup 5 is potentially the most virulent IPNV genogroup for Finnish rainbow trout. Interestingly, the Norwegian IPNV genogroup 5 isolate caused only a subclinical IPN infection, providing further evidence for a host species-dependent, virus isolate-related difference in virulence in IPNV genogroup 5. The results also support the continuation of legislative disease control of IPNV genogroup 5 in Finnish inland waters.

High prevalence of zoonotic trematodes in roach (Rutilus rutilus) in the Gulf of Finland.

The intention to increase roach (Rutilus rutilus) consumption is in focus for ecological and economic reasons in Finland. However, its safety as food has not been considered comprehensively. We collected and artificially digested 85 roach halves originating from the south-eastern coast of Finland, and found trematode metacercariae in 98.8% of the samples. Based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of amplicons generated from the ITS2 gene region, zoonotic parasites of the family Opistorchiidae were identified as Pseudamphistomum truncatum and Metorchis bilis, and also non-zoonotic Holostephanus dubinini (family Cyathocotylidae) and Posthodiplostomum spp. (family Diplostomidae) were identified. The species identity of other trematodes found is currently being investigated. Mixed infections of several trematode species were common. The prevalence of morphologically identified zoonotic P. truncatum was 46%, and zoonotic M. bilis was found in one sequence sample. The high prevalence of zoonotic trematode metacercariae in roach from the Gulf of Finland is alarming. Only thoroughly cooked roach products can be recommended for human or animal consumption from the area.

Molecular characterisation of infectious pancreatic necrosis viruses isolated from farmed fish in Finland.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) has been isolated annually since 1987 from salmonids without clinical signs at coastal fish farms in Finland. In the inland area, viral isolations were rare until 2012, when IPNV was detected at several freshwater fish farms. Between 2013 and 2015, the infection spread and IPNV was continuously isolated from several farms, both inland and on the coast. The aim of this study was to genetically characterise the IPNV isolates collected from Finnish coastal and inland fish farms over the last 15 years, and to detect genetic changes that may have occurred in the virus populations during the study period. The partial VP2 gene sequence from 88 isolates was analysed. In addition, a complete genomic coding sequence was obtained from 11 isolates. Based on the genetic analyses, Finnish IPNV isolates belong to three genogroups: 2, 5 and 6. The genetic properties of the isolates appear to vary between inland farms producing juveniles and food fish farms in the coastal region: the inland farms harboured genogroup 2 isolates, whereas at coastal farms, all three genogroups were detected. Little genetic variation was observed within the Finnish genogroup 2 and 5 isolates, whereas among the genogroup 6 isolates, two subgroups were detected. All isolates studied demonstrated amino acid patterns in the viral VP2 gene previously associated with avirulence. However, increased mortality was detected at some of the farms, indicating that more research is needed to clarify the relationship between the pathogenicity and genetic properties of IPNV isolates from different genogroups.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) strain with genetic properties associated with low pathogenicity at Finnish fish farms.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is a contagious viral disease of fish that causes economic losses in aquaculture worldwide. In Finland, IPN virus (IPNV) has been isolated since 1987 from adult fish showing no signs of clinical disease at fish farms located in the coastal areas of the Baltic Sea. The inland area of Finland, however, remained free of IPN until 2012, when fish on several rainbow trout farms were diagnosed IPNV-positive. The fish mortalities detected at the farms were low, but clinical signs and histopathological changes typical for IPNV infection were seen in juvenile salmonids. IPNV was isolated at high water temperatures up to 22°C. In 2013 and 2014, IPNV detections continued at inland farms, indicating that infections have spread. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of the outbreak and to characterise the Finnish inland IPNV isolates using histopathological, immunohistochemical and genetic approaches. In order to determine the epidemiological origin of the inland IPNV infections, the partial viral capsid protein (VP2) gene sequences of the inland IPNV isolates were compared with the sequences of the isolates from the coastal farms. Based on the genetic analysis, the inland isolates belong to IPNV Genogroup 2 (Serotype A3/Ab), and the origin of the isolates appears to be one or several coastal fish farms.