Viral gametocytic hypertrophy
Viral gametocytic hypertrophy is a pathological condition observed in the Pacific oyster.
The condition was first discovered in
Sydney rock oyster and Ostrea conchaphila.[6]
It involves the presence of
Ovocytes appear to be among the infected cells and their nuclei are hypertrophic, and the host does not noticeably respond with an immune response.[3] A hypertrophy has also been observed in spermatocytes;[2] in general an enlargement of the gametes is observed.[1] Such viruses have been found in Australian and North American oysters as well. The health of the oysters is not noticeably affected by viral gametocytic hypertrophy.[5][3][1][4]