Publication Abstract

Preliminary study of the detection of antibodies to lymphocystis disease virus in flounder, Platicthys flesus L., exposed to contaminated harbour sludge

Preliminary study of the detection of antibodies to lymphocystis disease virus in flounder, Platicthys flesus L., exposed to contaminated harbour sludge

P. Dixon, D. Vethaak, D. Bucke and M.D. Nicholson

Flounder, Platichthys flesus, L., were exposed to polluted harbour sludge, or to sludge wash-off in mesocosms for three years. Towards the end the study, a pilot experiment was initiated in which flounder antibodies against lymphocystis disease virus were measured in fish held in the mesocosms for 2.5 or 3 years. Although both the sub-sample sizes and number of fish with
detectable antibody were small, it was found that between the two sampling periods there was a significant reduction in the number of antibody-positive fish in the mesocosm containing polluted harbour sludge, compared to fish in the mesocosm containing sludge wash-off, or a control mesocosm. The significance of that finding is discussed.

Reference:

P. Dixon, D. Vethaak, D. Bucke and M.D. Nicholson, 1996. Preliminary study of the detection of antibodies to lymphocystis disease virus in flounder, Platicthys flesus L., exposed to contaminated harbour sludge. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 6(2): 123-133

P. Dixon*, D. Vethaak, D. Bucke* and M.D. Nicholson*

Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 6(2): 123-133