The effects of ectoparasites on the occurrence of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) virus in whiting and ectoparasite interactions on whiting

784 whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus) in total was individually sampled to determine the effect of ectoparasites density on the occurrence of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) virus. Sampling was made in Yomra Bay in 2010 and in Çamburnu in Trabzon province between January and March in 2011. In addition, relationship between two ectoparasites of whiting: Trichodina spp. and Gyrodactylus alviga was examined. Internal organs (kidney, spleen and liver) of whiting, where sampled by using the Earl?s Minimal Essential Medium (EMEM), for the presence of VHSV by inoculation on BF?2 cells and incubated. Cells demonstrating cytopathic effect (CPE) were tested with ELISA to determine the virus species. Also, amounts of ectoparasites (Trichodina spp. and Gyrodactylus alviga) were determined on the gills of same fish.VHSV is detected in 16 of 784 samples by viral examination. Average intensity Trichodina in VHSV infected fish was found (sqrt) 10,0±1,8 and average intensity Gyrodactylus was 1,8. Average intensity Trichodina in VHSV uninfected fish was found (sqrt) 7,2±1,0 and average intensity Gyrodactylus was 3,3. According to the result of the study there is no relationship between occurrence of VHSV and ectoparasites density changes in whiting. Also, no relationship was found between two ectoparasites density fluctuations. Our results show that ectoparasites have no effect on the occurrence of VHSV, probably other factors, e.g. enviromental factors, are important. Two species of Trichodinids: Trichodina puytoraci and unidentified subspecies of Trichodina sp., and also one species of Gyrodactylid: Gyrodactylus alviga (first report in Eastern Black Sea region) was identified.