Protecting salmon populations from disease
As part of that initiative, EC-funded project SPD/SD DIAGNOSIS focused on the development of diagnostics for two emerging diseases afflicting farmed salmon. Salmon pancreas disease (SPD) and sleeping disease (SD) are caused by closely related alpha viruses. Both SPD and SD are poorly diagnosed and therefore there is little information available regarding their prevalence. Project partners sought to exploit the molecular knowledge base that emerged with the characterisation of the viral causative agents of SPD and SD in order to develop diagnostics for these. Furthermore, research plans included investigation into the pathology and epidemiology of these diseases. The Queen's University of Belfast concentrated its efforts in creating viral samples with which a variety of further tests could be conducted. Researchers also analysed the genetic variations observed throughout the viral population. Cell culture isolates of the salmonid alphavirus (SAV) were obtained from a variety of partner laboratories. Further research on the SAV isolates revealed the existence of three genetic subtypes linked to geographical occurrence. Characterisation of these isolates is ongoing and researchers are keen to form new collaborations through which to further this line of investigation. The ultimate objective would be the development of novel vaccines against SPD and SD based on these research findings.
