Comparative evaluation of three real-time polymerase chain reaction assays to detect Myxobolus cerebralis.

Objective: We sought to evaluate accurate and reproducible detection of Myxobolus cerebralis (Mc), the causative agent of whirling disease, by using nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and three previously established real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays: K18S (Kelley 18S), C18S (Cavender 18S), and Hsp70 (heat shock protein 70). We used a "fit for purpose" approach combined with intra- and interlaboratory testing to identify a molecular testing method that would be equivalent to the currently accepted nPCR procedure for Mc.

Methods: Assay performance was compared using a combination of intra- and interlaboratory testing that used synthetic gBlocks along with naturally and experimentally infected fish tissue.

Characterization of serum and mucosal antibody responses in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus Richardson) following immunization with WSIV and a protein hapten antigen.

Serum and cutaneous mucus antibodies were monitored in white sturgeon for 15 weeks following intraperitoneal immunization. Ten fish were immunized (50 microg) with white sturgeon iridovirus (WSIV) or white sturgeon gonad (WSGO) tissue culture cells emulsified with or without FCA. An additional group was immunized with FITC:KLH+FCA.