The immunohistochemical study of nodavirus changes in larval, juvenile and adult sea bass tissue

Owing to its quickness and sensitivity, and the minimal financial effort required, immunohistochemistry is a leading technique for nodavirus diagnosis. The aim of the study was to give detailed results of immunohistochemical changes in the various tissues of larvae, juvenile and adult sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.). Histological sections were treated with polyclonal anti-noda rabbit IgG, while diaminobenzidine-peroxidase was used for the enzyme–substrate complex. The development from first changes to vacuolating necrosis was recorded in the brain, spinal cord and retina. For the first time, immunolabelling was noted in the liver endothelium. The other sampled tissue was immunonegative.