Detection, characterization and differentiation of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) strains in farmed Atlantic salmon

IPN outbreaks are seen both in the freshwater and seawater phase of the production, resulting in severe annual losses, and has emerged as a severe threat to the economy of the fish-farming industry. According to recent estimates, the yearly losses due to IPN in Norway are NOK 1 billion. This project aims to identify factors related to the introduction and transfer of IPNV in the fresh water phase of the production of Atlantic salmon. Such information is a prerequisite for the implementation of new practi ces to control both the horizontal and vertical transmission of IPNV in Norwegian aquaculture. The principal objective of this project is to develop and validate methods for detection and instant genotyping of field variants of infectious pancreatic necro sis virus (IPNV) strain. These tools will be used to determine the source and clinical importance of high and low virulent IPNV strains in the production of Atlantic salmon smolts. PatoGen is serving the Norwegian aquaculture industry with commercial scre ening services based on Real-Time PCR technology. This project will contribute to a further improvement, validation and application of Real-Time PCR analyses as a tool to improve the control with IPNV in Norwegian aquaculture. The results gained in this p roject will be essential to stimulate the use of broodstock testing to control the vertical transmission of IPNV, and for the implementation of new practices to control the horizontal transmission of clinically important IPNV strains in Norwegian aquacult ure. Real-Time PCR represents a very attractive method for use in broodstock screening, but further validation and documentation is needed before the use of this screening tool will be fully implemented as a tool in the broodfish industry.