Aquareoviruses in Baitfish
Andy Goodwin

We have shown that there are two aquareoviruses present in fatheads and golden shiners.  One is GSV (Aquareovirus C), the other was not previously described and will soon be named Aquareoviris G.  We have developed quantitative PCR assays for both viruses.  Based on preliminary evidence, it is likely that Aquareovirus C is present in almost all populations of shiners and fathead minnows and that Aquareovirus G is quite common.   We have been unable to correlate either virus with diseases of baitfish.

Vertical Transmission of Microsporean Parasites
Andy Goodwin

The microsporeans are important parasites in many species of wild and cultured fish.   There are no chemical treatments or intermediate hosts, so control efforts must rely on management techniques that interrupt the life cycle of the parasites.  In our work, we have shown that a microsporean parasite that infects fish ovaries is vertically transmitted inside infected fish oocytes.   This means that it will be extremely difficult to come up with methods to eradicate ovary-associated microsporeans. 

Koi and Goldfish Ulcer Disease
Andy Goodwin

Difficulties in culturing ulcer bacteria (Aeromonas salmonicida achromogense) and reports of potential viral involvement have made the cause of koi and goldfish ulcer disease unclear.   In our work, we collected ulcer samples from all over the US and used PCR to determine if Aeromonas salmonicida was present in all cases.   We did find Aeromonas salmonicida in almost all cases, but our DNA sequence data implies the involvement of sub-species other than achromogenes.