Ultra-deep sequencing of VHSV isolates contributes to understanding the role of viral quasispecies

Abstract

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) is an RNA virus endemic to marine and freshwater fish species. It represents one of the most important viral pathogens in salmonid fish in continental Europe where it heavily affects cultured rainbow trout, causing a severe systemic disease with mortality rates as high as 90% [1] and thus resulting in extensive economical loses to the aquaculture industry [2, 3].