Apr 09, 2026
3 min read
A virus from seafood is linked to persistent eye disease in humans
A virus that typically infects marine animals such as shrimp and fish has spread to humans and is causing chronic eye disease in some people, according to a study published in the journal Nature Microbiology.In recent years, the number of people suffering from a disease called persistent ocular hypertension viral anterior uveitis (POH-VAU) has been increasing in China for no apparent reason.Symptoms include extremely high eye pressure and swelling.
The researchers suspected that latent mortality nodovirus (CMNV) might be the cause because patients with the disease consistently tested negative for common eye viruses such as herpes or shingles.And previous studies have found unknown virus particles in some patients' eye tissues that looked similar in shape and size to CMNV.
For further investigation, Chinese scientists recruited 70 people diagnosed with the condition between January 2022 and April 2025.
The team used electron microscopes to examine patient tissues removed during eye surgery and saw identical particles of the virus around 25 nanometers in size.No CMNV-like particles were found in a control group of healthy volunteers.To confirm the identity of the virus, they used a special gold-labeled antibody that binds only to CMNV.After sequencing its genetic material, it turned out that 98.96% matched the aquatic version.
“This study reveals that an aquatic animal virus is associated with an emerging human disease,” the researchers write in their article.
So how do viruses typically emerge in aquatic animals that infect this group?
The researchers interviewed the patients about their lifestyle, and about three-quarters had handled raw seafood without gloves or eaten raw aquatic animals."Unsafe keeping of aquatic animals and consumption of raw aquatic animals are frequently reported incidents," the team added.
To confirm that the virus was actually causing the disease, rather than just being present, the team performed cell culture studies and infected mice with the virus.These rodents developed symptoms characteristic of the condition seen in human patients, such as elevated intraocular pressure.
This is the first study to show that an aquatic virus can be associated with a specific eye disease in humans.And it may not just be a problem in China.
As part of the study, researchers conducted a global survey to determine the extent of the spread of the virus.CMNV has been found in 49 species, including crabs and molluscs, across Asia, Africa, Europe, Antarctica and the Americas.
Written for you by our writer Paul Arnold, edited by Lisa Lock, and checked and reviewed by Robert Egan—This article is the result of careful human work.We count on readers like you to keep this independent science journal alive.If this report is important to you, please consider a donation (at least monthly).You will receive an ad-free account as a thank you.
Shuang Liu et al., A novel human eye disease associated with zoonotic infection with an aquatic virus, Nature Microbiology (2026).DOI: 10.1038/s41564-026-02266-x
Fabian H. Leendertz et al, Transmission of aquatic viruses to people, Nature Microbiology (2026).DOI: 10.1038/s41564-026-02306-6
Journal information: Microbiology of nature
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