Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Carp pox is a fairly common, relatively benign '''proliferative skin disease''' of cyprinids (carps and minnows). It is caused by a '''herpes virus'''.

Carp pox is a fairly common, relatively benign '''proliferative skin disease''' of cyprinids (carps and minnows). It is caused by a [[:Category:Herpesviridae|'''herpes virus''']].

It occurs most commonly in '''ornamental cyprinids''' and the '''common Carp''' in the UK.  

It occurs most commonly in '''ornamental cyprinids''' and the '''common Carp''' in the UK.  

Juvenile fish can be adversely affected by Carp Pox and can suffer a '''high mortality''', developing signs such as anorexia, intermittent immobility, exophthalmia, darkened skin and haemorrhages on the operculum and abdomen.

Juvenile fish can be adversely affected by Carp Pox and can suffer a '''high mortality''', developing signs such as anorexia, intermittent immobility, exophthalmia, darkened skin and haemorrhages on the operculum and abdomen.

Lesions usually '''develop in low temperatures''' (winter/spring) and '''regress with high temperatures''' (summer) but the latent infection remains.

Lesions usually '''develop in low temperatures''' (winter/spring) and '''regress with high temperatures''' (summer) but the latent infection remains. This means that lesions can '''recur''' the following year.

 

This means that lesions can '''recur''' the following year.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

'''Skin histology''' will reveal epidermal epithelial cell hyperplasia, and intracytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions.

'''Skin histology''' will reveal epidermal epithelial cell hyperplasia, and intracytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions.

'''Electrom microscopy''' examination may reveal herpes-like particles in the hyperplastic epithelial cells.

'''Electron microscopy''' examination may reveal herpes-like particles in the hyperplastic epithelial cells.

'''Virus isolation''' and identification can be attempted by innoculation of tissue cultures, serum neutralisation or in-situ hybridisation.  

'''Virus isolation''' and identification can be attempted by inoculation of tissue cultures, serum neutralisation or in-situ hybridisation.  

==Treatment and Control==

==Treatment and Control==

The only effective method of control is '''preventing the introduction''' of affected fish.  

The only effective method of control is '''preventing the introduction''' of affected fish.  

No particular treatment exists, but recovery can be accelerated by '''raising the temperature''' of the water to above 15°c, '''liming''' the ponds, or transferring the fish to ponds supplied with large amounts of '''clear, oxygenated water'''.

No particular treatment exists, but recovery can be accelerated by '''raising the temperature''' of the water to above 15°C, '''liming''' the ponds, or transferring the fish to ponds supplied with large amounts of '''clear, oxygenated water'''.

If the disease is uncomplicated, the lesions will eventually be replaced by unmarked epidermis. However, lesions can recur due to the pathogen's nature as a herpes virus, and the disease can '''reappear''' the following Spring.

If the disease is uncomplicated, the lesions will eventually be replaced by unmarked epidermis. However, lesions can recur due to the pathogen's nature as a herpes virus, and the disease can '''reappear''' the following Spring.

Noga, E. (2010) '''Fish Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment''' ''John Wiley and Sons''

Noga, E. (2010) '''Fish Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment''' ''John Wiley and Sons''

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[[Category:Fish Diseases]]

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