Detection of Acipenser European Iridovirus (AcIV-E) in Sturgeon Farms in Northern Italy between 2021-2023.

Sturgeon farming is rapidly expanding in Europe, where Italy ranks first in farmed caviar production. A major threat to sturgeon health in captivity is infection with Acipenser European Iridovirus (AcIV-E), a viral disease definitively identified in 2016. Here we present data on the occurrence of AcIV-E in 482 sturgeons (age ≤ 12 months, species of the genus and the species ) collected from sturgeon farms in northern Italy between January 2021 and December 2023.

Isolation and Genetic Characterization of Virulence Factors in Adriatic Sturgeon ().

The first case of infection of in Adriatic sturgeon () was recently reported in a raceway system located in Northern Italy. A second episode of infection in sturgeons with absence of mortality and evident clinical signs, was registered in November 2020 in the same farm and is reported in this study. Histopathological changes observed in infected organs are described.

Two New Sturgeon Species are Susceptible to Acipenser Iridovirus European (AcIV-E) Infection.

We report the first case of Acipenser iridovirus European (AcIV-E) infection in starry sturgeon ( ) and in sterlet ( ) reared in Northern Italy. During 2018, mortality began in and specimens reared in co-habitation with Russian sturgeon positive for AcIV-E. Molecular analyses were done on the gills to amplify a fragment of the major capsid protein (MCP) gene using real-time PCR against AcIV-E.

The Old and the New on Viral Diseases in Sturgeon.

Although sturgeon production by aquaculture has increased worldwide, a major factor limiting its expansion are infectious diseases, although few data about viral diseases are available however. This review provides a rapid overview of viral agents detected and described to date. Following a general introduction on viral diseases are four sections arranged by virus classification: sturgeon nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses, herpesviruses, white sturgeon adenovirus 1, and other viruses.

Mycobacterium chelonae associated with tumor-like skin and oral masses in farmed Russian sturgeons (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii).

Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria responsible for piscine mycobacteriosis usually produce visceral granulomas in both freshwater and marine species. In this study, the first occurrence of Mycobacterium chelonae associated with tumor-like lesions in the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) is reported. Fifteen sturgeons from an Italian fish farm showing skin and oral cauliflower-like masses were investigated by histopathology, bacterial culture and molecular analyses.