Journal Article
Proliferative kidney disease in Switzerland: current state of knowledge
T Wahli; R Knuesel; D Bernet; H Segner; D Pugovkin; P Burkhardt‐Holm; M Escher; H Schmidt‐Posthaus
Journal of Fish Diseases · Vol. 25, Issue 8 · pp. 491-500 · 2002
Abstract
This study presents an overview of the distribution of proliferative kidney disease (PKD) in wild and farmed fish in Switzerland based on two sources: (1) the results of routine diagnostic work at the National Fish Disease Laboratory, and (2) the results of a country‐wide survey for PKD. The first case of PKD in Switzerland was diagnosed in 1979 and since 1981, a few cases have been found every year. Affected species were rainbow trout, brown trout and grayling from rivers and fish farms. Most of the diseased fish were found in the lower altitude regions of the country (Swiss midlands). A seasonal distribution of the cases was evident: PKD‐positive fish occurred only from June to November withprominent peaks in August and September. Among infected fish all length classes were present, but the highest numbers of affected fish were found in the length classes