merged

Molecular Detection of Megalocytivitus in Ram Cichlid (Apistogramma
Ramirezi)
Logajothiswaran S/O Ambalvananan
Supervisor: Dr Sandra Catherine Zainathan
Bachelor of Science in Agrotechnology (Aquaculture)
School of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Ram cichlid, Apistogramma ramirezi is one of the famous ornamental fish being traded
in the global market. However, many cases have been reported due to the high
mortality and huge losses in ornamental trading business caused by Megalocytivirus
infections. No mortality cases has been recorded in Ram cichlid, Apistogramma
ramirezi from Malaysia but number of positive samples has been prevailing in other
countries. The aim of this study was to detect the presence or absence of
Megalocytivirus in Apistogramma Ramirezi from Johor. The PCR analysis was
conducted according to the method by Nolan et al. (2015). Out of 50 samples, the
PCR analysis demonstrated 5 positive pooled samples (n=25) for the presence of
Megalocytivirus. All the samples did not show any clinical signs. Sequence analysis of
MCP gene showed 96% and 99% similarities for primary sample 3 and 89% and 99%
for nested sample 10 respectively with Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus
(ISKNV) and Megalocytivirus Sabah. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of MCP gene
revealed that viruses from genus Megalocytivirus is the closest to ISKNV complete
genome and can be classified into Megalocytivirus genotype 1.
562 | UMT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY 2018