[Rhabdovirus anguilla in eels in the USSR and its pathogenicity for fish]

A virus belonging to Rhabdovirus anguilla was isolated from elvers imported from the FRG. It was established that a reduction of the multiplicity of infection to less than or equal to 0.005 increased more than 100-fold the yield of infection in ASE cell culture. The pathogenicity of this virus for eel has first been demonstrated. Experimentally, at 10.5 degrees-13.5 degrees C the disease and death of up to 37.5% of 4-year-old eels (3+) were observed with signs of hemorrhages into the interradial tissue of fins, on the mucous membrane of the mouth, and in the eye ball, exudate in the peritoneal cavity, edema and anemia of internal organs.