Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA) is a serious, systemic disease affecting Atlantic salmon (
Salmo salar L.) in the aquaculture industry worldwide. It is caused by the
Orthomyxovirus called Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus (ISAV). It was first observed in Norway in 1984, from where it spread to the neighbouring countries. In 2000 it reached the Faroe Islands, where the epidemic forced the industry to a standstill. ISA outbreaks have since been reported twice, but any immediate danger is thought to be contained. The non-virulent variant HPR0 is however present everywhere in the industry and it has recently been attested, that HPR0 is the progenitor to the virulent HPRdel variant. Because HPR0 has yet to be successfully cultivated, there are limited characterizations of the variant. The development of this multiplex PCR method has allowed for a whole genome sequencing of multiple HPR0 variants directly from clinical samples. This will enable insight into transmission pathways of HPR0 and its evolution from a non-virulent to a virulent variant.
Development of a method for whole genome sequencing of the Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus (ISAV) directly from clinical samples and characterization of ISAV-HPR0 in the Faroe Islands
Dahl, M. M. (Author). 2019
Student thesis: Master's Thesis