Complete genome sequence and pathogenic analysis of a new betanodavirus isolated from shellfish

We determined the complete genomic RNA sequence of a new type of betanodavirus Korea shellfish nervous necrosis virus (KSNNV) isolated from shellfish. Compared with other isolates representing four genotypes of betanodaviruses, the identity of the whole nucleotide sequence of the virus was in the range of 76%-83% with the presence of specific genetic motifs and formed a separate new branch in the phylogenetic analysis. In pathogenic analysis by immersion method, KSNNV-KOR1 shows 100% cumulative mortality like SFRG10/2012BGGa1 (RGNNV) in newly hatched sevenband grouper and mandarin fish, which is clearly different from those found in negative control groups. There were no significant differences in increasing rates of mortality and viral intra-tissue concentration of larval fishes infected with KSNNV-KOR1 at both 20 and 25°C water temperature. Histopathological examination of each fish species in the moribund stage revealed the presence of clear vacuoles in both brain and retinal tissues similar to typical histopathology features of RGNNV. In the present study, we first report a new betanodavirus from shellfish as the aetiological agent of viral nervous necrosis disease in fish with complete genomic nucleotide sequence and pathogenic analysis.