Department of Environmental & Aquatic Animal Health - Research Programs & Projects

VIMS OIE Reference Laboratory for the molluscan diseases Haplosporidiosis and Perkinsosis

The Office International Epizooties (OIE) is a Paris, France-based international advisory organization on infectious animal diseases. The OIE is the official arbiter of the World Trade Organization for issues involving living animal products, including wild or aquacultured marine animals. Since 1924, the OIE has been responsible for promoting and coordinating research into the surveillance and control of animal diseases throughout the world. Serious diseases that should be contained from accidental geographic spread are designated “notifiable” by the OIE. This designation can restrict the export of animal products from a country that has the disease. Outbreaks of notifiable diseases must be reported to the OIE by member countries.

Research laboratories around the world with expertise in the identification of OIE notifiable diseases are designated as OIE Reference Laboratories. Reference Laboratories serve as an advisory resource for the OIE and as an identification resource for researchers and government agencies around the world. Reference Laboratories are also obligated to develop and standardize diagnostic protocols for relevant disease agents and to provide a diagnostic service for researchers around the world; reference laboratories receive no funds from the OIE.

The Shellfish Diseases Laboratory at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is the sole OIE Reference Laboratory for the molluscan diseases Haplosporidiosis and Perkinsosis, which affect shellfish populations world wide. The OIE-designated Reference Expert is Dr. Eugene M. Burreson. Other Reference Laboratory personnel include Dr. Kimberly Reece, molecular diagnoses and phylogenetics of Perkinsus spp. and Haplosporidia; Dr. Ryan Carnegie, non-molecular diagnoses of both Perkinsus spp. and Haplosporidia, and Bonamia spp. diagnostics and phylogenetics; Ms. Nancy Stokes, molecular diagnoses of Haplosporidia; Ms. Rita Crockett, diagnostician; and Ms. Susan Denny, histologist.

Haplosporidium nelsoni, causative agent of MSX disease in oysters along the east coast of North America, is an OIE notifiable disease. The pathogen is also present in California, Korea, Japan and France. Haplosporidium costale, causative agent of SSO disease in oysters along the northeast coast of North America, is listed as an OIE “Other Significant Disease.”

Perkinsus marinus and Perkinsus olseni/atlanticus are both OIE notifiable diseases. Perkinsus marinus is the causative agent of Dermo disease in oysters along the east and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States. Perkinsus olseni/atlanticus is an important disease agent in abalone in Australia and in the clams Ruditapes decussatus in Europe and R. philippanarum in Japan and Korea. A variety of other molluscs are infected with P. olseni/atlanticus, but pathology is undetermined in these hosts.

See the links below for disease overviews, photographs, and OIE-recommended diagnostic methods written by Dr. Burreson and taken from the 2003 OIE Diagnostic Manual.

Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX disease): MS Word document
Haplosporidium costale (SSO disease): MS Word document
Perkinsus spp.: MS Word document
Photo gallery

Contact the Reference Laboratory:

Dr. Eugene M. Burreson
804-684-7015; gene@vims.edu
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Route 1208, Greate Road
Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062 USA