Assessment of the susceptibility of the brine shrimp Artemia salina and rotifer Brachionus plicatilis to experimental nodavirus infections

Cultures of Artemia salina nauplii and the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis we re experimentally infected with Creek and Japanese nodaviruses isolates, in order to investigate the possibility of the invertebrates acting as a rese rvoir and source of nodavirus infection. Virological examination of extract s obtained showed well-developed cytopathic effects (CPE) for 1, 4 and 24 h post-initial exposure to virus but the infectivity did not persist. Electr on microscopy failed to reveal any evidence of degenerative changes or the presence of viral particles in the invertebrates under the conditions exami ned. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.