Salmonid herpesvirus 2. Epizootiology and serological relationship.

Herpesvirus infections of kokanee salmon, masu salmon, coho salmon, and rainbow trout have been reported in Japan. The 11 herpesvirus strains isolated from kokanee salmon (NeVTA), masu salmon (YTV and 3 strains of OMV), coho salmon (CSTV, COTV and 2 strains of OKV), rainbow trout (RKV and RHV), and Herpesvirus salmonis were compared for their serological relatedness by serum cross-neutralization tests with polyclonal rabbit antiserum. The herpesvirus strains isolated in Japan were neutralized by antisera against these viruses and were found to be closely related to salmonid herpesvirus 2 (OMV strain 00-7812). These strains were, however, clearly distinguished from salmonid herpesvirus 1 (H salmonis).