To study pathogenesis post Piscine myocarditis virus (PMCV) infection in Atlantic salmon
Cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS) in salmon is the biggest disease problem caused by Piscine myocarditis virus (PMCV) in Norwegian aquaculture farming now-a-days and there is no vaccines available for CMS. The main causes of CMS in salmon and the pathogenesis are not well-understood.
Therefore, the main aim of the study presented in this application is to find insights into the host-virus responses w.r.t piscine myocarditis virus, for the initiation and progression of CMS in Atlantic salmon at the cell and tissue level and correlating with the virus load. Salmon smolts will be observed and sampled at different time-intervals until 16 weeks post infection for further analysis. A total of 174 salmon smolts of 100 g approx. will be used in this experiment. The study will also focus on individual responses to infection and disease progression in order to identify potential protective and pathological mechanisms.
We aim to perform an assessment of PMCV load in heart, blood and other organs and histopathological scores of heart. Inflammatory and pathological status of the live heart cells and tissues will be studied through live imaging. Gene expression studies of heart tissue will be also performed. The results obtained in this study will provide new information for effective understanding and insights into pathogen-host interaction needed for designing good prophylactic measures.
The number of experimental animal used in this study is based on the minimal requirements for the statistical analysis. During sampling, organs from the same fish will be used and the analysis will include several measurement methods, so that the degree of utilization for the planned trials are large. The combination of long experience with these type of experiment among the experimenters and very competent personnel at the Aquaculture Station in Tromsø, ensure that all procedures to be performed in these experiments builds on solid competence. This contributes to the animal welfare being taken care of in the best way and that the intentions of the 3Rs are complied with.
Therefore, the main aim of the study presented in this application is to find insights into the host-virus responses w.r.t piscine myocarditis virus, for the initiation and progression of CMS in Atlantic salmon at the cell and tissue level and correlating with the virus load. Salmon smolts will be observed and sampled at different time-intervals until 16 weeks post infection for further analysis. A total of 174 salmon smolts of 100 g approx. will be used in this experiment. The study will also focus on individual responses to infection and disease progression in order to identify potential protective and pathological mechanisms.
We aim to perform an assessment of PMCV load in heart, blood and other organs and histopathological scores of heart. Inflammatory and pathological status of the live heart cells and tissues will be studied through live imaging. Gene expression studies of heart tissue will be also performed. The results obtained in this study will provide new information for effective understanding and insights into pathogen-host interaction needed for designing good prophylactic measures.
The number of experimental animal used in this study is based on the minimal requirements for the statistical analysis. During sampling, organs from the same fish will be used and the analysis will include several measurement methods, so that the degree of utilization for the planned trials are large. The combination of long experience with these type of experiment among the experimenters and very competent personnel at the Aquaculture Station in Tromsø, ensure that all procedures to be performed in these experiments builds on solid competence. This contributes to the animal welfare being taken care of in the best way and that the intentions of the 3Rs are complied with.