Lymphocystis Infection in an Uncommon Host: Goldfish (carassius Auratus, Linn.)

Creamy white coloured nodules were observed on skin of the dorsal part of head of 5 months old goldfish (Carassius auratus Linn.), kept in an aquarium. On microscopy of collected skin tissue, clumps of cells were observed suggesting Lymphocystis disease (LCD) affected fibroblasts. To confirm presence of Lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) in the lesions, nodules were pooled and total DNA was extracted. Subsequently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using established primers of major capsid protein (MCP) of LCDV that confirmed presence of LCD virus in the lesion. The affected fish was treated with potassium permanganate and showed no lesion in post treatment periods (6th day onward) up to 1 month. Detection of LCD infection in an un-common host i.e. goldfish expands the knowledge regarding susceptible host range of the virus.