Detection of reverse transcriptase activity in golden carpet shell clams (Venerupis aurea) with disseminated neoplasia

作者：Manso C F; Diaz S; Carballal M J; Villalba A; Romalde J L^*

来源：Bulletin of the European Association of Fish Pathologists, 2012, 32(2): 56-63.

Disseminated neoplasia (DN) is a progressive and lethal condition of bivalves characterized by the presence of neoplastic cells in the circulatory system and organs. This leukemia-like disease has been reported in association with massive mortalities in different bivalve shellfish. Although the factor responsible for causing DN has not been determined, several authors found evidence of a retroviral aetiology in other molluscan species. In this work, the possible implication of a retroviral agent in the appearance and development of DN in golden carpet shell clam (Venerupis aurea) from Galicia, Spain was analysed. A total of 39 clams obtained from a population with DN history were included in the study. These samples were analysed by light microscopy (LM), showing that 74.4% of them present neoplastic cells. The samples were also analysed using a commercial kit for detection and quantification of reverse transcriptase activity (RT). This assay showed positive RT activity in 82.8% of the analysed samples. In addition, a product enhancer RT (PERT) assay was performed, producing similar results. RT activity was not detected in 10 samples from a population without DN history, included in the study as a negative control group. As for other species of molluscan shellfish, this study suggests the possible implication of a retroviral agent in the appearance and development of DN in golden carpet shell clam (V aurea) from Galicia, although further studies are needed to confirm such hypothesis.

• 出版日期2012