Larvae and early post-larvae of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) experimentally infected with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) show no significant mortality

The pathogenicity of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was tested with different developmental stages of Penaeus monodon, i.e. nauplius, protozoeae, mysis, early post-larvae (PL1-10), late post-larvae (PL11-20) and juveniles. WSSV challenge was done by immersion and oral routes. No disease occurred in the larvae and early post-larvae but they were positive for WSSV by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Significant mortality was observed in late post-larvae and juveniles and both single and nested PCR assays gave positive results with these samples. The results demonstrated that WSSV virulence in P. monodon increases with advancing stages of development and that WSSV infection does not result in disease for larvae and post-larvae younger than PL10.     

Per os challenge of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae and Farfantepenaeus duorarum juveniles with six geographic isolates of white spot syndrome virus

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most important pathogens of penaeid shrimp. It is widely distributed in most Asian countries where penaeid shrimp are cultured, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico and SE USA. The virulence of six geographic isolates of WSSV was compared using Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae and Farfantepenaeus duorarum juveniles. The six geographic isolates of WSSV originated from China, India, Thailand, Texas, South Carolina, as well as from crayfish maintained at the USA National Zoo. For challenge studies, virus infected tissues were given per os to L. vannamei postlarvae and Fa. duorarum juveniles. Resultant WSSV infections were confirmed by histological examination. The cumulative mortality of L. vannamei postlarvae reached 100% after challenge with each of the six geographic isolates of WSSV. However, the Texas isolate caused mortalities more rapidly than did the other shrimp isolates; the crayfish WSSV isolate was the slowest. In marked contrast, cumulative mortalities of juvenile Fa. duorarum reached only 35–60%, and varied among the geographic isolates of WSSV. Interestingly, in Fa. duorarum, the Texas WSSV isolate was also the most virulent, while the crayfish WSSV was the least virulent. The findings suggest that slight differences in virulence exist among geographic isolates of WSSV, and that susceptibility may vary with species and lifestages of the host.     

低剂量对虾白斑综合征病毒粗提液对斑节对虾体内潜伏期病毒及血细胞的影响

利用含3×103、6×102、2×102copies/mL的对虾白斑综合征病毒(white spot syndromevirus,WSSV)粗提液和PBS液人工注射感染携带病毒量约1×105copies/g的斑节对虾,通过实时定量PCR法、显微镜观察法研究了感染后斑节对虾发病死亡率、肌肉内WSSV含量及总血淋巴细胞数和不同种类血细胞的比例组成变化。结果表明,3种浓度下斑节对虾累积死亡率分别为93.33%±2.89%、56.67%±5.77%和45.00%±5.00%,对照组没有发生死亡。注射3×103copies/mL的浓度组,在注射后30 min时,对虾肌肉内的病毒含量达到最低值(3.54×104copies/g),而后持续上升至48 h时达到最高值(3.12×108copies/g)后再次下降;另两个感染组,在注射后1 h时,肌肉内病毒含量达到最低值(分别为1.11×105、9.54×104copies/g),在感染后6 h时出现一个次高值(分别为1.58×105、1.11×105copies/g),而后又降低,在48 h时达到最高值(分别为1.48×107、5.46×106copies/g)后下降;对照组对虾肌肉内病毒含量没有出现显著变化。不同感染浓度组,斑节对虾总血淋巴细胞数波动幅度和出现峰值的时间不同,特别是注射3×103copies/mL组,对虾总血淋巴细胞数在12和48 h时出现极低值(分别为3.48×106、4.05×106/mL);3个感染组除个别时间点外,对虾总血淋巴细胞数的变化规律与肌肉中WSSV的扩增规律成负相关。4个处理组,半颗粒细胞比例在感染初期呈现明显上升的趋势,后期比例虽有起伏但均维持在较高水平;颗粒细胞和透明细胞比例在感染初期均呈现明显下降的趋势,中期均略有上升,但后期颗粒细胞比例显著低于初期,而透明细胞比例则与初期无显著性差异。     

中国明对虾WSSV携带量、生长和抗WSSV育种值的相关性分析

为评估中国明对虾生长及抗WSSV能力与中国明对虾WSSV携带量之间的相关性,实验对130个中国明对虾家系进行生长及抗WSSV性能测试,对收集到的中国明对虾生长和抗病数据,输入“水产动物育种分析与管理系统”数据库,利用综合选择指数法估计中国明对虾各个家系的育种值。根据分析结果,选择出生长育种值最大的5个家系和最小的5个家系、抗WSSV育种值最大的5个家系和最小的5个家系,分别检测上述20个家系的亲虾、养殖50 d及170 d中国明对虾的WSSV携带量。结果显示,亲虾、50 d中国明对虾及170 d中国明对虾的WSSV携带量分别为0.190 8、0.286 6和0.232 9 copies/ng DNA,三者之间差异均不显著。亲虾、50 d中国明对虾和170 d中国明对虾的WSSV携带量与中国明对虾的生长育种值相关系数分别为 0.021、0.363和0.185,亲虾、50 d中国明对虾和170 d中国明对虾的WSSV携带量与抗WSSV育种值相关系数分别为0.033、0.048和0.019。研究表明,中国明对虾的生长育种值和抗WSSV育种值与中国明对虾体内的WSSV携带量均无显著的相关性。     

Optimization of experimental infection protocols for the estimation of genetic parameters of resistance to White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei

Two infection protocols, individual oral (IO) and waterborne infection (WB), were evaluated to challenge Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei with White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). Five different batches of full and half-sib families were infected experimentally and tested for growth performance under commercial growth conditions. The genetic variance for WSSV resistance was estimated using a linear sire-dam repeatability model that considers test-day survival as the dependent variable. The heritability estimates using the IO protocol ranged from 0.01 ± 0.00 to 0.02 ± 0.01, whereas the heritability estimates using the WB infection protocol were not significantly different from zero. The genetic correlations measured as the product moment correlation between full-sib family breeding values for resistance to WSSV and harvest body weight in ponds were unfavourable in three of the five batches and favourable in one of them. The dosage of WSSV was better controlled with IO oral infection than with other methods, with all animals being exposed to approximately the same risk of infection at the same time. This should improve the accuracy of the genetic parameters and hence improve the accuracy of the breeding values. It should, however, be noted that once the outbreak was established and the mortalities began, the shape and the magnitude of the slope of the mortality curves showed little difference in the infection pattern between batches irrespective of the dosage and infection protocol, and in most of the cases the cumulative mortality was greater than 80%. The main reason for this is probably the high densities of animals in the tanks needed for the genetic evaluations.     

Pre-exposure to infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus or to inactivated white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) confers protection against WSSV in Penaeus vannamei (Boone) post-larvae

Larvae and post-larvae of Penaeus vannamei (Boone) were submitted to primary challenge with infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) or formalin-inactivated white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Survival rate and viral load were evaluated after secondary per os challenge with WSSV at post-larval stage 45 (PL45). Only shrimp treated with inactivated WSSV at PL35 or with IHHNV infection at nauplius 5, zoea 1 and PL22 were alive (4.7% and 4%, respectively) at 10 days post-infection (p.i.). Moreover, at 9 days p.i. there was 100% mortality in all remaining treatments, while there was 94% mortality in shrimp treated with inactivated WSSV at PL35 and 95% mortality in shrimp previously treated with IHHNV at N5, Z1 and PL22. Based on viral genome copy quantification by real-time PCR, surviving shrimp previously challenged with IHHNV at PL22 contained the lowest load of WSSV (0-1x10(3) copies microg-1 of DNA). In addition, surviving shrimp previously exposed to inactivated WSSV at PL35 also contained few WSSV (0-2x10(3) copies microg-1 of DNA). Consequently, pre-exposure to either IHHNV or inactivated WSSV resulted in slower WSSV replication and delayed mortality. This evidence suggests a protective role of IHHNV as an interfering virus, while protection obtained by inactivated WSSV might result from non-specific antiviral immune response.     

Studies on mass summer mortality of cultured zhikong scallops (Chlamys farreri Jones et Preston) in China

Mass mortalities of cultured zhikong scallops (Chlamys farreri) have occurred each summer in most culture areas of northern China since 1996. Among the hypothesized causes are high culture density, infectious disease and genetic inbreeding. To investigate these potential agents, C. farreri were deployed at three densities (low, medium and high) at three sites (Jiaonan, Penglai and Yantai) in the summer of 2000. Scallops were sampled for survival, growth and histopathology before, during and after a mortality episode. Most of the mortality occurred in July and August, during and toward the later part of the spawning season, when water temperature reached 23–26 °C. Final cumulative mortalities reached 85% to 90% at all three sites. Scallops in the medium and high densities had higher initial death rates than did those at the low density. High densities also inhibited growth. Ciliates from the genus Trichodina, larvae of various organisms and anomalous secretions were observed in sections of the gill cavity, with highest prevalence during and at the end of the mortality period. Prokaryotic inclusion bodies were found in the soft tissues, but their prevalence was low and apparently without correlation with mortalities. Genetic analysis with random amplified polymorphic DNA markers showed slightly lower heterozygosity in the cultured stocks (0.301) than in the wild stocks (0.331). It is possible that the mortalities are caused by a combination of several factors such as stress associated with reproduction, high temperature, overcrowding and poor circulation in the growout cages, opportunistic invaders or pathogens, and possibly inbreeding.     

白斑症病毒在日本对虾体内的感染增殖

用投喂患白斑症病毒病的虾组织人工感染日本对虾稚虾,每日取样,整虾冰冻切片,单克隆抗体的荧光抗体方法,原位观察病毒在虾体内的感染增殖,结果表明：感染后三天内,在感染虾的各组织器官内均未观察到明显的病毒感染的阳性细胞,每四天首先在鳃丝腔内的小量血细胞观察到病毒感染;第五天除血细胞外同时在血窦,鳃上皮组织,皮下组织内观察到,第六天进而在心脏,胃上皮组织内观察到：第七天进一步又在淋巴器官,中肠内观察到,八     

Oral vaccination trials with crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, to induce resistance to the white spot syndrome virus

The potential of oral vaccination against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in crayfish Procambarus clarkii was investigated. The protective effect of binary ethylenimine (BEI)-inactivated WSSV was tested by oral vaccination, followed by an oral challenge with WSSV. The crayfish fed with feed pellets coated with BEI-inactivated WSSV showed a resistance to WSSV on the seventh day post vaccination (dpv). The relative percentage survival values were 60%, 70% and 75% for the vaccinated once, twice and thrice with inactivated WSSV. Following an intramuscular injection experiment, no mortality was recorded in the inactivated WSSV group and the negative control at 17 days post challenge. The cumulative mortalities in the heated WSSV group and WSSV group were 100%. Shrimp that survived the WSSV challenge on the seventh day after cessation of oral vaccination were positive for the presence of WSSV by a polymerase chain reaction assay specific for WSSV. This result indicated that inactivated WSSV could protect crayfish against WSSV by oral delivery.     

养殖克氏原螯虾体内白斑综合征病毒的绝对定量分析

近年来克氏原螯虾的养殖受到WSSV的威胁,病毒在宿主组织中的绝对定量对于了解病毒的致病性具有重要意义,但克氏原螯虾组织中WSSV的绝对定量分布还有待研究。实验调查了湖北省5个主养区克氏原螯虾WSSV的感染率,结果表明80%以上克氏原螯虾都携带有WSSV。采用WSSV-VP28蛋白特异性抗体对克氏原螯虾提取蛋白进行Western Blot检测,在WSSV-PCR阳性样品中可检测到VP28特异性条带,在WSSV-PCR阴性样品中没有检测到相应条带。采用实验室建立的WSSV绝对定量PCR方法,对携带病毒的克氏原螯虾6个组织(鳃、胃、肠、血淋巴细胞、肝胰腺和心脏)进行检测。结果表明,在鳃、胃和肠可检测到较多病毒量(约108拷贝/mg),其次是血淋巴细胞(107拷贝/mg)、肝胰腺(106拷贝/mg),在心脏中病毒的含量最低(103拷贝/mg),表明病毒的复制存在组织特异性。结果显示WSSV主要存在于消化系统中,预示着克氏原螯虾可能主要在摄食过程中感染WSSV;不同地区克氏原螯虾组织病毒携带量表现出一定差异,预示着WSSV感染可能受到环境因素的影响。     

Antiviral Effect of Fucoidan Extracted from the Brown Seaweed,Sargassum wightii,on Shrimp Penaeus monodon Postlarvae against White Spot Syndrome Virus

This study was carried out to determine the effect of seaweed polysaccharide, fucoidan from brown seaweed, Sargassum wightii, on Penaeus monodon postlarvae (PL) against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). The fucoidan was extracted from S. wightii, and the yield was observed as 2.832 ± 0.204%. Artemia franciscana nauplii were enriched with extracted fucoidan at four different concentrations (100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/L) and fed to shrimp P. monodon PL for 20 d. After feeding experiment, the P. monodon PL were challenged with WSSV, and the mortality percentage was recorded daily up to 21 d. During the challenge test, the control PL showed 100% cumulative mortality within 9 d, but the fucoidan‐enriched Artemia nauplii fed groups of PL exhibited 60–94% cumulative mortality within 21 d. The reduction in mortality percentage of experimental groups of PL over control PL was ranged between 33.71 and 61.65%. The polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed the concentration‐dependent variation in WSSV infection.     

转基因vp28蓝藻口服疫苗半数有效量测定及其对斑马鱼的安全评价

蓝藻是对虾幼苗的天然饵料,使用转vp28基因蓝藻(Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942)直接投喂凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vanname)幼苗来防治白斑综合征病毒(WSSV),可起到“药食同源”的作用。转基因蓝藻作为对抗WSSV的口服疫苗,目前面临环境释放的安全性问题。斑马鱼是最常见的模式生物之一,本研究将转vp28基因蓝藻投喂凡纳滨对虾幼苗,验证其剂量梯度抗WSSV的影响,并测定其半数有效剂量(ED50)。以该剂量为依据投喂斑马鱼后,通过测定斑马鱼体内的酶学指标、进行组织切片观察以及养殖水体中氮磷等的变化,来探究转vp28基因蓝藻对水生生物、水体环境造成的影响。研究结果表明,随着转基因蓝藻口服疫苗剂量的增加,凡纳滨对虾幼苗抗WSSV的能力也随之增强,测得ED50为0.027 g。分别使用野生型和转基因型蓝藻配合饲料投喂斑马鱼15天,投喂结束后其生长状态良好、游动正常；投喂前后身体颜色无明显差异,不同组间体长增长的差异不显著(p > 0.05)。转基因组投喂的过氧化氢酶活力稍低于空白组和野生型组,过氧化物酶活力随着投喂天数的增长而呈现降低趋势；水质监测发现总氮和总磷无较大差异,投喂蓝藻的两组氨氮均要低于空白对照组,氨氮含量的提升对斑马鱼的抗氧化能力存在一定影响；组织切片发现斑马鱼各组的肝脏、心脏组织细胞无明显差异。研究表明转vp28基因蓝藻可有效增强凡纳滨对虾抗WSSV能力,且抗病能力随着口服疫苗剂量的升高而增强；投喂斑马鱼后,斑马鱼无明显的毒理效应，且对水质影响较小；转vp28基因蓝藻作为亚单位疫苗投放对水生生物的影响较小,可为后续产业规模应用提供基础。     

Determining culture strategies in populations of the European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, affected by bonamiosis

Bonamiosis affects the viability of oyster culture in Galicia (NW Spain). This study shows the effects of the disease on three oyster populations from hatcheries in different culture areas (Cambados and Bueu) and different origin: stock A [F₁]_, stock B [F₂]_, and stock C [F₂]. These stocks were cultured between November 1998 and November 2000 in Cambados and Bueu. In the Cambados area, bonamiosis is considered to be endemic, while the disease does not generally affect Bueu area. Sampling was conducted at 3-month intervals to study prevalence of Bonamia, mortality and growth rates. In the Cambados area, bonamiosis was detected 12 months after beginning culture but in the Bueu area, it was not detected until 24 months after initiating cultures. Our results suggest that there is a relationship between presence of Bonamia ostreae and oyster mortalities, which were observed in the three stocks from Cambados. These mortalities were associated with the culture area (Cambados) and not with stock of oysters. Growth was satisfactory in both areas as oysters reached commercial size (60 mm) 15 months after beginning the cultures. In an area where Bonamia is present, such as Cambados, the oysters should be marketed promptly (after approximately 15–18 months of culture) but in areas where Bonamia is not present, such as Bueu, the oyster farmer can culture oysters over a long period of time, prior to harvest, if necessary.     

A3α肽聚糖对凡纳对虾幼体生长及抗病毒感染力的影响

用含不同量的A3α肽聚糖(PG)(0.005%、0.01%、0.1%)的幼体饵料投喂凡纳对虾幼体,另在育苗水体中添加不同水平(0.005mg·mL-1、0.01mg·mL-1、0.05mg·mL-1)PG浸浴并以投喂不添加PG的幼体饵料的实验组作为对照,另设投喂活饵的实验组作参考,分别考察Z1-M1期、M1-PL1期、Z1-PL1期幼体的成活率,M1期、PL1期幼体体长,PL1期幼体体重,另外,PL1期仔虾经7d饲养后,检测体内酚氧化酶(PO)活性,并用白斑综合症病毒(WSSV)料投喂感染。结果显示:与投喂不添加PG幼体饵料组相比,在Z1-M1期,活饵组、0.01%PG添加量的幼体饵料组、0.005mg·mL-1PG的浸浴组幼体的成活率有极显著(P<0.01)提高,而在Z1-PL1、M1-PL1期,各实验组除0.05mg·mL-1浸浴组外均有极显著地(P<0.01)提高;各实验组除0.01mg·mL-1、0.05mg·mL-1PG浸浴组外,M1期幼体体长、PL1期幼体体重也有显著(P<0.01)增长,且各实验组PL1期幼体都有极显著(P<0.01)增长;各实验组仔虾PO活力均有极显著(P<0.01)提高;各实验组除0.1%PG添加量的幼体饵料组外,感染WSSV后仔虾的存活率有不同程度地提高。     

抗WSSV囊膜蛋白（VP28和VP19）单抗的体内中和效果研究

通过酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）测定不同稀释度对虾白斑综合征病毒（WSSV）与已制备的WSSV囊膜蛋白单克隆抗体结合的OD值。利用克氏原螯虾Cambarus proclarkii动物模型,将不同稀释度病毒与单抗1：1混合孵育2h后,肌肉注射克氏原螯虾（50μl／只）,观察记录螯虾的死亡情况。ELISA结果显示,在1×10^-3病毒稀释度下两种单抗均足量。在螯虾体内中和实验中,当病毒浓度为1×10^-3、1×10^-4、1×10^-5和1×10^-6稀释度时,MAb1D6（VP28）螯虾组最终死亡率分别为100％、90％、16．7％和6．7％,而MAb2E9（VP19）螯虾组最终死亡率分别为100％、100％、100％和93．3％。这表明随病毒浓度的降低,MAb1D6（VP28）的中和效果越明显。而MAb2E9（VP19）并无明显的中和效果。     

Effect of high water temperature (33 °C) on the clinical and virological outcome of experimental infections with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in specific pathogen-free (SPF) Litopenaeus vannamei

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is the most lethal pathogen of cultured shrimp. Previous studies done with undefined WSSV titers showed that high water temperature (32-33 °C) reduced/delayed mortality of WSSV-infected shrimp. This study evaluated the effect of high water temperature on the clinical and virological outcome of a WSSV infection under standardized conditions. Groups of specific pathogen-free Litopenaeus vannamei were challenged either by intramuscular or oral routes with a low (30 SID₅₀) or a high (10,000 SID₅₀) virus titer. Shrimp were kept (i) continuously at 27 °C, (ii) 30 °C or (iii) 33 °C; (iv) maintained at 33 °C before challenge and 27 °C afterwards, or (v) kept at 27 °C before challenge and 33 °C afterwards. Shrimp were maintained at the respective temperatures for 120 h before challenge and 120-144 h post challenge (hpc). Gross signs and mortality were monitored every 12 h until the end of the experiment. Dead and surviving shrimp were screened for WSSV infection (VP28-positive cells) by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). Shrimp kept continuously at 27 °C or 30 °C, or switched to 27 °C post challenge developed gross signs within 24 hpc, first mortalities at 36-60 hpc and 100% cumulative mortality between 60 and 144 hpc depending on the virus titer. All dead shrimp were WSSV-positive. In contrast, shrimp kept at 33 °C continuously or after WSSV challenge showed no signs of disease and low mortalities (0-30%) regardless of the virus titer. Dead and surviving shrimp were WSSV-negative. Further, early virus replication was studied in two groups of shrimp: one maintained at 27 °C before and after challenge and one switched from 27 °C to 33 °C after challenge with 10,000 SID₅₀. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis showed that WSSV-positive cells were first displayed at 12 hpc in shrimp kept at 27 °C and by 24 hpc the infection became systemic. In contrast, shrimp kept at 33 °C did not display WSSV-positive cells at 12 or 24 hpc. This work confirms previous reports that high water temperature prevents the onset of disease and significantly reduces mortality of WSSV-inoculated shrimp regardless of the route of inoculation or virus titer used. This strategy may have practical applications to control WSSV in tropical shrimp farming countries.     

Experimental study of the susceptibility of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua (L.), to infection with an IPNV strain pathogenic for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L

Intraperitoneal (IP) injection, cohabitation and immersion routes of infection were used to determine if Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua (L.), of 1 and 3 g are susceptible to infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN). Mortalities of cod injected IP were significantly higher when challenged with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) than with phosphate buffered saline. This is the first report of Atlantic cod mortalities caused by IPNV. Fish challenged by cohabitation had significantly higher mortalities than the controls, but mortalities of Atlantic cod challenged with IPNV by immersion were not significantly different from controls. Titres of IPNV in the tissues of infected fish were sometimes very high (range 10²–10¹⁰ infectious units per gram of tissue) suggesting virus replication and titres of fish that died were generally higher than those of fish which survived. However, the relatively low mortality rates when challenged by cohabitation and immersion (20% and 17%, respectively), compared to the IP injection challenge (100%) suggest that 1 and 3 g cod have low susceptibility to IPN when challenged by more natural routes. These data strongly suggest that the cause of death of experimentally challenged cod was IPNV and further histological evidence for this came from 1 g cod challenged IP with IPNV in which the pancreas showed severe necrosis and heavy immunostaining for IPNV coincidentally with the peak of mortalities.     

Evaluation of artificial and natural baits for the pot fishery of the sand crab Ovalipes punctatus (De Haan, 1833)

We compared the luring effectiveness of artificial bait made from fish waste with natural baits in pots targeting the sand crab Ovalipes punctatus in the East China Sea. Bait types used were fish (mackerel), minced fish (heads of greenling) and two artificial baits made mostly from fish waste and starch. The first two need frozen storage but artificial bait does not. Three fishing operations were conducted in May 2010 and in each forty pots (10/treatment) were fastened along a bottom line. Results for the three operations had catch data for 30 pots/treatment. The number of crabs captured was 496, of which 206 (41.5%) were caught in pots containing fish, 116 (23.4%) in those with minced bait, and 93 (18.8%) and 81(16.3%) in pots baited with the two artificial baits, respectively. Fish was significantly more attractive than minced bait and artificial baits, but no differences were detected between the other baits. Natural baits disappeared almost entirely by the time of hauling, with only 1% of the fish and 5.3% of the minced bait remaining; artificial bait remained almost intact (96.3–100%). The artificial bait catch was approximately half of that of fish bait, but it only contained 30% fish waste. Furthermore, if catch returns are calculated according to the bait's fish content their efficiency seemed higher, ranging from 88 to 100 crabs/kg of fish waste vs only 69 crabs/kg of fish.     

Quantitative real time PCR for the measurement of white spot syndrome virus in shrimp

Quantitative real time PCR, recently developed in molecular biology, is applied in this paper to quantify the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in infected shrimp tissue. The WSSV content in moribund shrimp of all species tested ( Penaeus stylirostris, P. monodon, P. vannamei ) ranged from 2.0 × 10⁴ to 9.0 × 10¹⁰ WSSV copies μg^–1 of total DNA ( n =26). In whole moribund post-larvae, 4.3 × 10⁹ WSSV copies μg^–1 of DNA were detected which is equivalent to 5.7 × 10¹⁰ WSSV copies g^–1 of post-larvae. The comparison of WSSV content between different tissues showed that muscle and hepatopancreas tissues contained 10 times less virus than gills, pleopods and haemolymph. With inocula of known virus content, bioassays by immersion challenge showed that a minimum of five logs of WSSV copies was necessary to establish disease in the challenged shrimp. In contrast, five logs of WSSV copies injected into shrimp muscle produced a LT-50 of 52 h. This real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique is sensitive (four copies), specific (negative with DNA from shrimp baculoviruses and parvoviruses), dynamic (seven logs) and easy to perform (96 tests in <4 h).     

Effects of total ammonia,temperature and salinity on the mortality and viral replication of WSSV‐infected Chinese shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis)

In this study, we evaluated the effects of three factors, total ammonia, temperature and salinity, on the mortality of and viral proliferation in white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)‐infected Chinese shrimp. Shrimp maintained in 30‰ seawater at 25°C with 0.34 mg L^?1 total ammonia (control group) were injected with approximately 20 WSSV particles per shrimp and subsequently subjected to the following conditions: 30‰ seawater at 25°C, with 6 mg L^?1 (N1 group) or 14 mg L^?1 (N2 group) total ammonia; 30‰ seawater at 18°C (T1 group) or 30°C (T2 group), with 0.34 mg L^?1 total ammonia and 20‰ (S1 group) or 40‰ (S2 group) seawater at 25°C, with 0.34 mg L^?1 total ammonia. An anova analysis revealed that the cumulative mortality of WSSV‐infected Chinese shrimp was significantly lower when reared in the T1 group compared to that of the T2 and control group. Similarly, the mortality of the shrimp in the S1 group was also significantly lower than that of the S2 and control group. No significant differences were detected among the N1, N2 and control groups. Accordingly, the WSSV level in the T1 and S1 groups was significantly lower than those in the control, T2 or S2 groups respectively. No significant differences in viral loads were detected among the control, N1 and N2 groups. The transfer of Chinese shrimp to lower temperature and lower salinity enhanced their resistance to WSSV infection, whereas a change in the concentration of total ammonia had no significant effect on the mortalities and viral loads of WSSV‐infected shrimp.