Molecular diagnosis of fish and shellfish diseases: present status and potential use in disease control

摘要: Developments in molecular biology have led to a rapid growth new methods for diagnosing fish diseases. Techniques of major significance include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification nucleic acids, restriction enzyme digestion, probe hybridisation and nucleotide sequencing. These are briefly described, as is the requirement thorough validation before application some potential problems associated with use diagnostics. Many techniques potentially faster or more sensitive than such culture, serology histology that traditionally used identify In addition, often able readily detect genetic variations denote subspecies strains. There now many publications describing development examination identification shellfish pathogens. diseases bacterial, viral, parasitic fungal origin. This review summarises published diagnosis listed under European Commission (EC) health regulations. Molecular research has demonstrated not only ability pathogenic species, but also discriminate below level species cases, it may be appropriate control strains subspecies, rather an entire group bacteria viruses. proved especially suited discrimination these Before diagnostic tests applied, available should reviewed, extent assessed, programme confirmation trials established each disease. By this means, can robust other method then disseminated laboratories. At present, there very few descriptions processes carried out validate any studies urgently required. New developments hardware considered, likely will significant impact on tests.