The Characteristics of the Virus Isolated from the Gill of Clam, Meretrix lusoria

Abstract

The electron microscopic examination of the abnormally dark regions of the gill from hard clam, Meretrix lusoria, revealed that there were virus-like particles present in the cytoplasm of necrotic cells. With TO-2 cell line, the virus was isolated. Electron microscopic examinations showed that there were no detactable differences in morphology and location of virions in the gill cells of clam and TO-2 cells except that virus crystals were infrequently observed in clam gills. The subsequent serological and biochemical studies indicated that all the virus isolates from clam were similar to AB IPNV (infectious pancreatic necrosis virus). These studies represent the first complete characterizations of virus isolated from clam in Taiwan.