TY - JOUR
T1 - Molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of carp edema virus (CEV) in China (2013–2019)
T2 - New insights into transmission and diagnosis
AU - Chien, Tinhan
AU - Ma, Chuwei
AU - Wang, Junqi
AU - Tian, Weizhong
AU - Kan, Shifu
AU - Yang, Xuebing
AU - Tang, Shaolin
AU - Lee, Meiting
AU - Stone, David
AU - St-Hilaire, Sophie
AU - Huang, Hsien-Da
AU - Liu, Hong
AU - Wen, Zhiqing
AU - Jia, Peng
PY - 2026/6/30
Y1 - 2026/6/30
N2 - Carp edema virus (CEV), an emerging pathogen, poses a significant threat to global aquaculture, especially in China, the world's leading producer of carp. This study investigated the molecular epidemiology of carp edema virus (CEV) in China from 2013 to 2019, during which 781 samples across 21 provinces were analyzed via PCR. The results indicated a CEV positivity rate of 9.86%, with the highest prevalence noted in Henan and Jiangsu provinces. Common carp and koi are sensitive to CEV, while grass carp, Prussian carp, and goldfish are resistant, even under coculture conditions. Notably, CEV and KHV coinfections have been reported, and this study documents the first instance of CEV and SVCV coinfection in China. Phylogenetic analysis of a 357-bp fragment of the CEV P4a gene (83 Chinese strains and 45 GenBank reference sequences) identified 31 P4a sequence types (STs; unique 357-bp haplotypes). All Chinese strains clustered within genogroup II, with most STs assigned to subgenogroup IIa, suggesting multiple introductions of CEV into China, while a distinct cluster of Henan strains fell within subgenogroup IIb indicated a separate introduction. This study underscores the role of environmental temperatures, ranging from 8 °C to 30 °C, in the ecological adaptability and infection rates of CEV. The genetic relatedness of Chinese isolates to European strains points to international trade as a possible transmission route. This research advocates advanced molecular diagnostics to enhance pathogen identification, highlighting the crucial role of systematic surveillance and biosecurity measures in controlling the spread of CEV in aquaculture, a factor that complicates disease management and highlights the need for multi-pathogen surveillance. © 2026
AB - Carp edema virus (CEV), an emerging pathogen, poses a significant threat to global aquaculture, especially in China, the world's leading producer of carp. This study investigated the molecular epidemiology of carp edema virus (CEV) in China from 2013 to 2019, during which 781 samples across 21 provinces were analyzed via PCR. The results indicated a CEV positivity rate of 9.86%, with the highest prevalence noted in Henan and Jiangsu provinces. Common carp and koi are sensitive to CEV, while grass carp, Prussian carp, and goldfish are resistant, even under coculture conditions. Notably, CEV and KHV coinfections have been reported, and this study documents the first instance of CEV and SVCV coinfection in China. Phylogenetic analysis of a 357-bp fragment of the CEV P4a gene (83 Chinese strains and 45 GenBank reference sequences) identified 31 P4a sequence types (STs; unique 357-bp haplotypes). All Chinese strains clustered within genogroup II, with most STs assigned to subgenogroup IIa, suggesting multiple introductions of CEV into China, while a distinct cluster of Henan strains fell within subgenogroup IIb indicated a separate introduction. This study underscores the role of environmental temperatures, ranging from 8 °C to 30 °C, in the ecological adaptability and infection rates of CEV. The genetic relatedness of Chinese isolates to European strains points to international trade as a possible transmission route. This research advocates advanced molecular diagnostics to enhance pathogen identification, highlighting the crucial role of systematic surveillance and biosecurity measures in controlling the spread of CEV in aquaculture, a factor that complicates disease management and highlights the need for multi-pathogen surveillance. © 2026
KW - Carp edema virus
KW - Diagnostics
KW - Epidemiology
KW - PCR
KW - Risk factors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105035310342&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.scopus.com/record/pubmetrics.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105035310342&origin=recordpage
U2 - 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2026.743944
DO - 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2026.743944
M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal
SN - 0044-8486
VL - 621
JO - Aquaculture
JF - Aquaculture
M1 - 743944
ER -