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Ribogospod. nauka Ukr., 2025; 4(74): 286-307
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61976/fsu2025.04.286
UDC [597-12:578]:597.442(477)

Sturgeon iridovirus (AcIV-E): new hosts and distribution in Ukraine

Yu. Rud, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0001-6927-5377, Institute of Fisheries of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of  Ukraine, Kyiv
L. Buchatsky, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0003-1350-7954, Institute of Fisheries of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of  Ukraine, Kyiv

Purpose. To conduct monitoring studies in specialized farms for the detection of the sturgeon iridovirus AcIV-E, to determine the range of potential hosts for the virus, including various variants of sturgeon hybrids, and to establish the epizootic situation regarding the iridovirus infection of sturgeons in Ukraine.

Methodology. PCR was used For AcIV-E identification and monitoring by amplifying different fragments of the major capsid protein (MCP) gene of the virus.

Findings. During the monitoring studies of 2020-2024, the sturgeon iridovirus AcIV-E was detected on specialized sturgeon farms in 11 regions of Ukraine. Bester was the most sensitive species to the virus, since the mortality of this hybrid reached 40%. Russian sturgeons, Siberian sturgeons and their hybrids were also sensitive to the virus, the mortality of which was 5–25%. AcIV-E was not identified in any of the studied samples of sterlet and beluga.

Originality. For the first time, high susceptibility to the virus of bester and the hybrids of the Russian and Siberian sturgeon was shown. It was found that the virus is most often identified in younger age groups, namely in fry, age-0+, age-1 fish and less often in age-2 sturgeons. Symptoms of the disease mostly appear on the skin and gills. Anemia, petechiae and tissue necrosis are observed on the gills. Iridovirus infection was often systemic, destructive changes occurred in internal organs, especially in the liver and spleen.

Practical Value. Monitoring of AcIV-E is very important, since today iridoviral infection is the most dangerous viral disease for both national and the world sturgeon farming. The described symptoms of the disease will help to assess its putative cause and establish a preliminary diagnosis at farms. Information about the spread of the virus and the state of the epizootic situation in the country will be useful for specialized farms in order to prevent the disease.

Keywords: iridovirus, sturgeon, diagnostics, disease spread, Ukraine.

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