Seroconversion and the mucosal lysozyme G (lysG), complement 3 (c3), and immunoglobulins M (IgMsec) and Z2 (IgZ2) were measured for up to 900 degree days (DD) in skin swabs from common carp exposed to koi herpesvirus (KHV or CyHV-3) at either a non-permissive temperature (12 °C) or permissive temperatures (17 and 22 °C), and in survivors subjected to temperature increase to 22 °C 500 DD after the initial exposure. The survival rate at 22 °C varied from 100% in fish initially exposed at 12 °C, to 20% at 17 °C and 0% at 22 °C. Viral shedding episodes lasted for up to 29 days (493 DD) for fish clinically infected at 17 °C, and up to 57 days (684 DD) for asymptomatic fish held at 12 °C. Up-regulation of lysG transcripts was measured at 17 and 22 °C. Down-regulation of c3 and IgMsec transcripts was measured independent of the water temperature, followed by up-regulation after the temperature increase coinciding with seroconversion and clearance of KHV from the skin mucus. IgZ2 mRNA showed a negative correlation with IgM transcripts. KHV subversion of the complement system at the mucosal site coupled with poor immunoglobulin secretion during the viral replication might contribute to the long window of viral shedding, thus facilitating viral transmission.
Keywords: IgM; IgZ2; common carp; complement; koi herpesvirus; lysozyme; mucosal immunity; seroconversion; skin swabs; viral shedding.