Comparison of Betanodavirus diagnosis quality in Grouper and Sea bass by Rapid Diagnosis Kit, histopathology and Nested-PCR methods

Betanodavirus is the leading cause of viral mortality in fish worldwide and a major barrier to the spread of fisheries and aquaculture. Due to the increase in aquaculture in the Persian Gulf and the occurrence of some disease symptoms in farmed and wild fish in the region, screening of Betanodavirus-sensitive fish became important. Therefore, to prevent economic losses and reduce aquatic reserves, two important economic species of the Persian Gulf, wild grouper and farmed Asian sea bass, were evaluated. The present study was performed with 150 fish pieces and three diagnostic methods (Immunochromatography rapid diagnosis kit, Histopathology and Nested-PCR) and eventually compared the diagnostic quality of the methods. The results of experiments performed by these three methods, for the first time in the country, revealed positive cases of Betanodavirus in both species studied. Data analysis and comparison of three diagnostic methods also introduce Nested-PCR as the most sensitive diagnostic method and Immunochromatography kit as the fastest and cheapest method before the outbreak of the disease. Hence, with the spread of aquaculture on the southern coast of Iran and the increase of imported species, choosing the appropriate method for screening fish susceptible and early detection of Betanodavirus is very important and can be used to advance the economic goals of the fisheries and aquaculture industry.