DAO 66:153-157 (2005)  -  doi:10.3354/dao066153

ABSTRACT: In situ hybridization (ISH) was used to investigate the presence of viral mRNA in different fractions of blood cells of Atlantic salmon between 6 and 12 d following experimental infection with infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV). Using a riboprobe targeting ISAV segment 7 mRNA, hybridization signals were observed only in leucocytes in buffy coat smears from samples collected from 8 to 12 d post-infection (dpi). None of the red blood cell smears from any sample showed ISH signal. These observations allow us to conclude that viremia in ISAV infection is associated with virus replication in leucocytes, and that erythrocytes are not target cells for virus replication.

KEY WORDS: ISAV · Cell-associated viremia · In situ hybridization · Atlantic salmon