Ovacystis-like condition in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico

• Published in: Diseases of aquatic organisms Vol. 53; no. 1; pp. 89 - 90
• Main Authors: WINSTEAD, James T, COURTNEY, Lee A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oldendorf Inter-Research 22.01.2003
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Crassostrea virginica; Female; Florida; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Marine; Microscopy, Electron - veterinary; Ostreidae - virology; Ovum - pathology; Ovum - ultrastructure; Ovum - virology; Protozoa. Invertebrata; Virion - ultrastructure; Gulf of Mexico; Florida; United States; North America; America; ASW, USA, Florida, Pensacola Bay; ASW, Mexico Gulf; Virus-like; First record; Host; Germinal cell; Host virus relation; Ovacystis; Infection; Marine environment; Gamete; Transmission electron microscopy; Bivalvia; Crassostrea virginica; Ultrastructure; Viral disease; Bay; Ova; Invertebrata; Mollusca; Hypertrophy
• ISSN: 0177-5103; 1616-1580
• DOI: 10.3354/dao053089

Histological examination of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica from a study in Pensacola Bay, Florida, revealed 2 cases of abnormally large, basophilic ova that resembled cells characteristic of ovacystis disease previously reported in oysters from Maine and Long Island. The hypertrophied gametes measured up to 250 pm in diameter, had scant cytoplasm and contained granular nuclear-masses of Feulgen-positive material. Electron microscopy of reclaimed tissue revealed these masses to consist of virus-like particles (average 46 nm) similar to those reported in cases of ovacystis.