Publication Abstract

Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) Represents a Third Cyprinid Herpesvirus (CyHV-3) in the Family Herpesviridae.

T.B. Waltzek, G.O. Kelley, D.M. Stone, K. Way, A. Davison, L. Hanson and R.P. Hedrick

Sequence data obtained from three genes were compared to determine the genetic similarity of koi herpesvirus (KHV) to three other fish herpes-like viruses in the family Herpesviridae: carp pox herpesvirus (Cyprinid herpesvirus 1, CyHV-1), haematopoietic necrosis herpesvirus of goldfish (Cyprinid herpesvirus 2, CyHV-2), and channel catfish virus (Ictalurid herpesvirus 1, IcHV-1). Comparisons generated from the aligned nucleic and deduced amino acid sequences revealed significant similarities between KHV, CyHV-1, and CyHV-2 as well as lower but still significant similarities between the three cyprinid herpesviruses and the channel catfish virus. This genomic sequence data as well as previously published virion developmental and morphological data strongly supports the inclusion of KHV within the family Herpesviridae. In accordance with the current nomenclature adopted by the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), the official designation for koi herpesvirus becomes Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3). Sequence fragments of the DNA polymerase gene yielded identical nucleic acid sequences among seven KHV isolates. Database searches of the genomic sequence of KHV revealed significant amino acid similarities between our taxa and that of other fish and amphibian herpes-like viruses but not with mammalian or avian herpesviruses.

Reference:

T.B. Waltzek, G.O. Kelley, D.M. Stone, K. Way, A. Davison, L. Hanson, R.P. Hedrick (2005). Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) Represents a Third Cyprinid Herpesvirus (CyHV-3) in the Family Herpesviridae. Journal General Virology, 86(5): 1659-1667.