An Automated Microfluidic Chip System for Detection of Piscine Nodavirus and Characterization of Its Potential Carrier in Grouper Farms

作者：Kuo Hsiao Che^*; Wang Ting Yu; Hsu Hao Hsuan; Lee Szu Hsien; Chen Young Mao; Tsai Tieh Jung; Ou Ming Chang; Ku Hsiao Tung; Lee Gwo Bin; Chen Tzong Yueh

来源：PLos One, 2012, 7(8): e42203.

DOI：10.1371/journal.pone.0042203

Groupers of the Epinephelus spp. are an important aquaculture species of high economic value in the Asia Pacific region. They are susceptible to piscine nodavirus infection, which results in viral nervous necrosis disease. In this study, a rapid and sensitive automated microfluidic chip system was implemented for the detection of piscine nodavirus; this technology has the advantage of requiring small amounts of sample and has been developed and applied for managing grouper fish farms. Epidemiological investigations revealed an extremely high detection rate of piscine nodavirus (89% of fish samples) from 5 different locations in southern Taiwan. In addition, positive samples from the feces of fish-feeding birds indicated that the birds could be carrying the virus between fish farms. In the present study, we successfully introduced this advanced technology that combines engineering and biological approaches to aquaculture. In the future, we believe that this approach will improve fish farm management and aid in reducing the economic loss experienced by fish farmers due to widespread disease outbreaks.

• 出版日期2012-8-9
• 单位清华大学