HISTOLOGICAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL-CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LYMPHOCYSTIS-DISEASE IN GILTHEAD-SEABREAM, SPARUS-AURATA L FROM THE SOUTH-ATLANTIC COAST OF SPAIN

Lymphocystis disease of the gilthead seabream, Spat-us aurata from the south Atlantic coasts of Spain was studied using various cytochemical methods for nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. In lym phocystis infected cells, cytoplasm and nucleoli contained RNA. DNA wa s restricted to the periphery of the nucleus and within the intracytop lasmatic inclusions. During the development of infected cells, protein s rich in different aminoacids were observed in the granular cytoplasm , nucleus/nucleoli, intracytoplasm inclusions and hyaline capsule. Som e glycogen was observed in the cytoplasm of these cells. The intracyto plasm inclusions and the hyaline capsule also contain hydrophilic lipi ds, being noticeable the presence of proteins containing S-S groups. S ulphated sialoglycoproteins and glycolipids and/or phospholipids were also components of the hyaline capsule.