Distribution of marine birnavirus (MABV) in marine organisms from Okinawa, Japan, and a unique sequence variation of the VP2/NS region.

Distribution of marine type of Aquabirnavirus (MABV) was examined in shellfish and fish from Okinawa and Ishigaki Islands, Japan, where water temperature is higher than 25 degrees C through the year. Genome detection and virus isolation were performed for shellfish and fish samples, and the results revealed the prevalent distribution of MABV in diverse species in the area, although isolation was not frequently. Detection rate of MABV genome in bivalves was higher than gastropods, which was similar result to former report in mainland of Japan. Furthermore, the unique five-nucleotide deletion was found with a high rate of occurrence in the MABV genome from shellfish and fish. This study showed distribution status of MABV in organisms in subtropical waters by wide monitoring, and discovered new genome variation in VP2/NS region of this virus.