Abstract

An infectious disease highly specific for the pancreas of young brook trout has been observed. The lesions are those of massive necrosis of the acinar and islet tissues. The complete absence of bacteria or parasites in infected fish suggests that a virus may be the causative agent. The similarity of the lesions to those described by Pappenheimer and co-workers following the injection of Coxsackie virus in adult mice also lends credence to this possibility. Neither is it inferred at the present time nor is the possibility overlooked that the inclusion bodies observed in acinar cells at the periphery of necrotic areas are true virus inclusion bodies. Further studies are in progress to clarify the etiologic agent.
(Note : this is the first detailed report of IPN published)