Recent studies have identified LCDV-PF from the paradise fish Macropodus
opercularis and isolated GLCDV from cultured grouper. Moreover, LCDV-1 and LCDV-C have been
completely sequenced and annotated to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of LCDV pathogenesis. In the present study, we found numerous nodules on the
skin or fins of diseased black rockfish. Furthermore, many inclusion
bodies were observed in the nodules of the diseased black rockfish by
histopathology. The typical characteristics of LCD mainly show
intracytoplasmic inclusions in the lymphocytic cells. Moreover, our findings supported that viral particles of LCDV-ss were the causative agents, morphologically evidenced
by that numerous hexagonally arranged viral particles with a diameter
of 200 nm were observed in the nodules of infected fish. Based
on two core genes, our phylogenetic analysis indicated that LCDV-ss
was a novel isolate, like megalocytivirus, and it could cause disease in
black rockfish. In summary, we, for the first time, provided themolecular evidence of LCDV in black rockfish, and our findings would
greatly contribute to diagnosis and control of viral diseases in black
rockfish.