Detection and Genetic Characterization of Lymphocystis Disease Virus (LCDV) Isolated during Disease Outbreaks in Cultured Gilt-head Sea Bream Sparus aurata in Tunisia

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Lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) causes a self-limiting disease in fish. However, recently, LCD outbreaks have increased, causing significant mortalities. In this study, we report the occurrence of two disease outbreaks in reared gilt-head sea bream Sparus aurata in the Tunisian coast. Presence of LCDV in diseased fish was confirmed by virus isolation using BF-2 cells and PCR amplification targeting the polymerase gene. Amino acid sequence analysis of the major capsid protein suggested that the LCDV strain was identical to nine strains previously isolated from the Mediterranean, Red Sea and South Atlantic coasts of Europe. These strains might have been disseminated through recent international trade.