Development of a multiplex PCR system for the simultaneous detection of white spot syndrome virus and hepatopancreatic parvovirus infection

A multiplex PCR kit for simultaneous detection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV) was developed and field testing was conducted. A 604‐bp target sequence was selected from the vp28 gene of WSSV. A primer set was developed to amplify a 338‐bp DNA fragment at the junction of the NS2 and NS1 protein genes of HPV after alignment of eight sequences from different strains. Another internal positive control primer set produced a 139‐bp PCR fragment from the β‐actin gene by alignment of this gene from Litopenaeus vannamei, Fenneropenaeus chinensis and Penaeus monodon. The detection limits, tested using purified plasmids, for WSSV and HPV were 21.4 and 19.0 copies respectively. The optimum ratio for HPV, WSSV and β‐actin was 3:1:1, with an optimum annealing temperature of 57°C. Field test of the multiplex PCR with 170 L. vannamei individuals from 17 aquaculture farms showed 41.8% coinfection with WSSV and HPV, and 40.0% and 3.5% single infection with WSSV and HPV respectively. No virus‐free shrimp farm was found. Ten wild catch F. chinensis individuals showed 60% coinfection, and 40% were infected with HPV.     

Identification of RAPD‐SCAR marker linked to white spot syndrome virus resistance in populations of giant black tiger shrimp,Penaeus monodon Fabricius

White spot disease (WSD) caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) creates severe epizootics in shrimp aquaculture industry worldwide. Despite several efforts, no such permanent remedy was yet developed. Selective breeding using DNA markers would be a cost‐effective strategy for long‐term solution of this problem. In the present investigation, out of 30 random primers, only one primer produced a statistically significant (P < 0.01) randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker of 502 bp, which provided a good discrimination between disease resistant and disease susceptible populations of Penaeus monodon from three geographical locations along the East coast of India. Because RAPD markers are dominant, a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker was developed by cloning and sequencing of 502 bp RAPD fragment, which generates a single 457 bp DNA fragment after PCR amplification only in the disease resistant shrimps. Challenge experiment was also conducted to validate this 457 bp SCAR marker, and the results suggested that the WSSV loads were 2.25 × 10³ fold higher in disease susceptible than that in disease resistant shrimps using real‐time PCR. Therefore, this 457 bp DNA SCAR marker will be very valuable towards the development of disease‐free shrimp aquaculture industry.     

Production of specific dsRNA against white spot syndrome virus in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is the most aggressive disease affecting cultured shrimp. One possibility to tackle it is by means of RNA interference (RNAi) induced by the presence of double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA). Normally, dsRNA is a product of the cellular machinery to gene regulation, but it can be produced synthetically and introduced into specific tissues or cells and thereby induce RNAi. Although in vitro production of dsRNA is possible, this is high cost. An alternative is to produce dsRNA in vivo using biological systems such as bacteria or yeasts. In this regard, Yarrowia lipolytica offers distinctive advantages for dsRNA production. The objective was to develop a Y. lipolytica strain able to produce dsRNA‐specific against WSSV and to evaluate its antiviral activity in the white leg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. From the 0.4 and 0.6 Kb fragments of the ORF89 gene, a dsRNA‐ORF89‐producing construct was built in the plasmid pJC410; the resulting construct (pARY410) was used to transform Y. lipolytica to drive the specific expression of dsRNA‐ORF89. Yeast colonies positive to the WSSV‐ORF89 gene were selected. The expression of dsRNA‐ORF89 and RNAse III was measured being detected at 32 and 48 hr. Subsequently, the antiviral activity of dsRNA‐ORF89 was tested in a WSSV challenge bioassay. The results showed survival in dsRNA‐ORF89 shrimp (25%) compared to control organisms treated with total RNA from the yeast P01‐AS harvested at 32 hr. In conclusion, Y. lipolytica is a convenient host to produce and deliver dsRNA‐ORF89 able to protect WSSV‐challenged shrimp.     

多重RT-PCR体系检测4种虾病毒的方法

根据多重RT-PCR的技术原理,利用对虾传染性表皮与造血组织坏死症病毒、白斑综合征病毒、黄头病毒和桃拉综合征病毒的基因序列分别设计了4对特异引物,建立多重RT-PCR体系用于虾4种病毒的检测。多重RT-PCR体系能特异地扩增出IHHNV、WSSV、YHV和TSV的目的片段:TSV特异性扩增片段508 bp,WSSV 特异性扩增片段435 bp,IHHNV 特异性扩增片段301 bp 和YHV。特异性扩增片段614 bp。结果表明,多重PCR虾病毒检测系统具有较高的特异性和敏感性,并对其它对虾病原呈阴性。IHHNV、TSV、WSSV和YHV模板在多重PCR虾病毒检测体系中的检测下限分别为0.1,1,0.02和0.2 pg。病毒感染病料检测试验中,该检测体系的检测结果与单纯PCR的检测结果呈现出较好的吻合度。     

Prevalence of white spot syndrome virus infection detected by one-step and nested PCR in selected tiger shrimp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Penaeus monodon</Emphasis>) hatcheries

White spot syndrome (WSS) is considered as a great threat to commercial farming of the tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). The causal agent of WSS is a DNA virus called white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). The prevalence of this dreadful virus infection has been studied in five randomly selected hatcheries located in the Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh. Both one-step and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) involving two pairs of primers, namely, 146F1/146R1 and 146F2/146R2, amplifying the 1447 bp and 941 bp fragments, respectively, were conducted to detect the WSSV. Out of 60 randomly collected shrimps, 12 (20%) were found to be positive by one-step PCR, while 18 (30%) were found to be positive by nested PCR. The nested PCR was found to be much more sensitive than the one-step PCR. The shrimp specimens showing clinical signs of WSS were positive for WSSV by both one-step and nested PCR. Some of the apparently healthy samples were also found to be positive for WSSV by nested PCR. Among the two primer-pairs, the inner pair amplifying the 941 bp fragment was more sensitive than the outer primer pair amplifying the 1447 bp fragment when used in one-step PCR.     

Multiple infections caused by white spot syndrome virus and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei in pond‐reared Penaeus vannamei in India and multiplex PCR for their simultaneous detection

White leg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, were collected on a monthly basis from grow‐out ponds located at Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh states along the east coast of India for screening of viral and other pathogens. Totally 240 shrimp samples randomly collected from 92 farms were screened for white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV), infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). The number of shrimp collected from shrimp farms ranged from 6 to 20 based on the body weight of the shrimp. All the shrimp collected from one farm were pooled together for screening for pathogens by PCR assay. Among the samples screened, 28 samples were WSSV‐positive, one positive for IHHNV and 30 samples positive for EHP. Among the positive samples, four samples were found to be positive for both WSSV and EHP, which indicated that the shrimp had multiple infections with WSSV and EHP. This is the first report on the occurrence of multiple infections caused by WSSV and EHP. Multiplex PCR (m‐PCR) protocol was standardized to detect both pathogens simultaneously in single reaction instead of carrying out separate PCR for both pathogens. Using m‐PCR assay, naturally infected shrimp samples collected from field showed two prominent bands of 615 and 510 bp for WSSV and EHP, respectively.     

2014年中国不同地区对虾白斑综合征病毒ORF14/15和ORF23/24缺失区序列比较

对虾养殖面临诸多病害威胁,对虾白斑综合征病毒(White spot syndrome virus, WSSV)是养殖对虾主要病原之一,WSSV不同地理株的变异可能导致WSSV毒力的变化。为了解2014年中国大部分地区WSSV ORF14/15和ORF23/24的变异情况,本研究选择2014年1月–8月期间采集的48份WSSV阳性样本,用特异引物扩增ORF14/15和ORF23/24片段,连接于T载体,转化至Top10中,筛选阳性克隆,测序分析不同样本之间的缺失差异。结果显示,能够扩增ORF14/15和ORF23/24样品的比例分别为43.75%和33.33%。在ORF14/15扩增中,分别扩增出1260 bp、1270 bp、1892 bp和2662 bp片段,与TH-96-Ⅱ比对共有4种缺失情况,即缺失6540 bp、6530 bp、5908 bp和5138 bp。而在ORF23/24扩增中,分别扩增出1140 bp和1146 bp片段,与中国台湾株(TW)比对有两种缺失情况,即缺失12070 bp和12064 bp。研究结果表明,WSSV在中国大部分地区存在一定程度的变异,而不同毒株之间在ORF14/15可变区差异比较明显,在ORF23/24可变区差异不大,但均具有大片段缺失。     

Simultaneous presence of infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) and Type A virus-related sequence in Penaeus monodon from India

Detection of infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) in shrimp is complicated by the fact that certain virus-related sequences are integrated into the genome of Penaeus monodon in some parts of the world, which has been reported so far from Africa and Australia. In this study, we evaluated the highly specific and sensitive diagnostic primer sets for detection of infectious IHHNV and integrated virus-related sequence in 177 samples of P. monodon from India. A nested primer set, IHHNV648F/R and IHHNV309F/R was used to specifically detect infectious IHHNV and not the virus-related sequences. IHHNV was detected in 67.4% postlarvae (PL) and 34% adult samples using this primer set. The OIE recommended primers IHHNV392F/R and IHHNV389F/R gave positive reaction for 86.7% PL and 67% adult samples, while the primer pair 77012F and 77353R gave positive reaction with 46.7% PL and 20% adult samples. These primers were found to detect virus-related sequence integrated into the shrimp genome. The analysis of virus-related sequence by MG831F/R primers showed that 33.7% PL and 31.7% adult shrimp possessed Type A virus-related sequence. 22.8% PL and 10.5% adults had both IHHNV and Type A virus-related sequence. Cloning and sequencing 832 bp virus-related sequence from P. monodon from India revealed presence of five shrimp DNA markers between 439 and 825 bp. This study is the first conclusive report on the presence of Type A virus-related sequence in P. monodon from India.     

Low numbers of repeat units in variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) regions of white spot syndrome virus are correlated with disease outbreaks

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is the most important pathogen in shrimp farming systems worldwide including the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The genome of WSSV is characterized by the presence of two major ‘indel regions’ found at ORF14/15 and ORF23/24 (WSSV‐Thailand) and three regions with variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) located in ORF75, ORF94 and ORF125. In the current study, we investigated whether or not the number of repeat units in the VNTRs correlates with virus outbreak status and/or shrimp farming practice. We analysed 662 WSSV samples from individual WSSV‐infected Penaeus monodon shrimp from 104 ponds collected from two important shrimp farming regions of the Mekong Delta: Ca Mau and Bac Lieu. Using this large data set and statistical analysis, we found that for ORF94 and ORF125, the mean number of repeat units (RUs) in VNTRs was significantly lower in disease outbreak ponds than in non‐outbreak ponds. Although a higher mean RU number was observed in the improved‐extensive system than in the rice‐shrimp or semi‐intensive systems, these differences were not significant. VNTR sequences are thus not only useful markers for studying WSSV genotypes and populations, but specific VNTR variants also correlate with disease outbreaks in shrimp farming systems.     

2017年中国部分地区白斑综合征病毒高变异区的序列分析

白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)自暴发以来给全球范围内的对虾养殖产业带来了巨大的损失。为了解我国凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)养殖区WSSV的流行变异情况,选取2017年中国部分地区的42个WSSV阳性样本,对ORF14/15、ORF23/24、ORF75、ORF94和ORF125共5个可变区进行PCR特异性扩增,分析其序列的缺失变异和重复单元(Ru)中单核苷酸多态性的变化。研究结果显示,在ORF14/15的扩增中共出现4种缺失片段;ORF23/24只出现11945bp的缺失片段;ORF75扩增中,总RUs数目为3、4、9,其中45bp的RUs在12、27、80位点发生多核苷酸多态性;ORF94的RUs数目为6,其各重复单元在48位发生单核苷酸多态性;ORF125的RUs数目为4、6、7不等,其各重复单元分别在20、27、50、53、61位发生碱基突变。研究结果表明,2017年样本中,WSSV在中国大部分地区均出现一定程度的缺失变异,其中部分可变区表现出缺失情况的稳定性,某些可变区的重复单元数目及SNP表现出地区的差异性以及不稳定性。     

Development of simple sequence repeat markers in Pyropia yezoensis (Bangiales,Rhodophyta) by high‐throughput sequencing technology

Pyropia yezoensis is one of the most important economical seaweeds across the world and major efforts are underway to increase the production. However, its genome is relatively unexplored. In this study, genome sequence of wild‐type strain LS was determined through paired‐end sequencing of small‐size fractionated genomic library. In total, 283,606 contigs were assembled and 20,620 SSR‐containing sequences were identified. Most of the SSRs contained tri‐ and di‐nucleotide motifs (95.42% and 2.34% respectively), of which GCC was the most abundant (15.7%). Furthermore, 1,253 pairs of primer sets were designed and 124 of them were selected randomly for validation. The results showed that 120 pairs were successful in PCR, and the remaining four failed to generate PCR product at various conditions. Among the 120 pairs of which the PCR products were subsequently sequenced by Sanger sequencing, 104 pairs amplified SSRs with the same motif and repeat times, three pairs with the same motif but different repeat times and 13 pairs with different motifs. Moreover, 21 primer pairs amplified polymorphic products between LS and an improved strain HT, and tri‐nucleotide SSRs showed higher polymorphism frequency when compared to di‐nucleotide SSRs. These SSR markers may enrich the current molecular resources in P. yezoensis.     

Genetic variation of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) culture of Thailand

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is highly pathogenic to penaeid shrimp and has caused significant economic losses in the shrimp farming industry in Thailand. Genotyping analysis was done in 124 WSSV isolates from cultured Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. These samples were obtained during 2007–2014 from eight provinces in Thailand. We investigated five variable loci in the virus genome: deletions in two variable regions, VR14/15 and VR23/24, and three variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) located in open reading frame (ORF) 75, 125 and 94. WSSV genotype was characterized as (X_14/15, X_23/24) (N₇₅‐N₁₂₅‐N₉₄) where X is the number of base pair deletion in the variable region and N is the number of repeat units (RUs) in a specific ORF. The deletion pattern in VR14/15 and VR23/24 regions characterized three WSSV genotypes. The most prevalent genotype was (5950_14/15, 10971_23/24), and it was found in all studied areas. At least 33 genotypes of WSSV were analysed based on 3 VNTR loci, indicating that the VNTRs of WSSV genome are highly variable. From 124 WSSV samples, two samples presented the characteristic of all five variable loci similar to WSSV collected during 2010 in Saudi Arabia (5950_14/15, 10971_23/24) (3₇₅‐6₁₂₅‐7₉₄). Many different WSSV genotypes shown in this study as compared to previously reported genotypes in Thailand suggests current status of disease epidemiology, as well as probable movements of WSSV between countries.     

聚合酶链反应（PCR）检测养殖对虾的白斑症病毒（WSSV）感染

对虾WSSV病是亚洲对虾养殖业中的一个棘手问题。本研究采用Kimura引物 ,用PCR技术对不同生长期的中国对虾 (Penaeuschinensis)进行了WSSV的检测 ,同时也检测了对虾发病时养殖池中多见的野生厚蟹 (Helicesp .)和矛尾刺虎鱼 (Acanthogobiushasta)。检测结果表明 :分别在检测的 5尾亲虾中的 1尾 ,6尾仔虾中的 1尾 ,5尾稚虾中的 3尾及所检测的 5尾病虾和 2只厚蟹中获得到 982bp的PCR扩增产物 ,说明为WSSV感染阳性。在检测的 2尾矛尾刺虎鱼中均未获得PCR扩增产物 ,说明为WSSV感染阴性。在亲虾、虾苗以及虾池内的野生厚蟹中检测到WSSV感染的阳性结果表明 :WSSV感染的亲虾有可能是病毒的储主 ,WSSV感染的野生厚蟹有可能是病毒中间宿主或病毒的携带者 ,它们在对虾WSSV病的感染、传播中起了重要的作用     

Indian isolates of white spot syndrome virus exhibit variations in their pathogenicity and genomic tandem repeats

To detect genomic variation of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) isolates from different geographical regions of India, the variable number of the tandem repeat (VNTR) region of the ORF 94 (Thailand WSSV isolate – GeneBank Accession No. AF369029 ) was analysed using five specific sets of primers. Analysis of 70 WSSV‐positive samples showed the presence of 14 different genotypes of WSSV with VNTRs ranging from 2 to 16 tandem repeats with the majority (85.47%) having 6–12 tandem repeats. Occurrence of different genotypes of WSSV was found to be neither correlated to any specific geographical region nor to the different growth stage of the tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon. Pathogenicity studies conducted with 25 isolates of WSSV revealed the presence of virulent and avirulent strains of WSSV in Indian shrimp farms. However, an unambiguous link could not be established between the different genotypes and their virulence.     

Impact of yellow head virus outbreaks in the whiteleg shrimp,Penaeus vannamei (Boone), in Thailand

Yellow head virus (YHV) is known as a major pathogen in the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus (Penaeus) monodon. It can also cause serious mortality in farmed whiteleg shrimp, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei. However, there is no published information on the economic and/or production impact of the disease in P. vannamei. Shrimp with gross signs of YHV disease (faded body colour and 60–70% mortality) were observed in 20 study farms rearing P. vannamei in the central part of Thailand from the end of 2007 through early 2008. The estimated economic loss for these farms according to the Thai Animal Aquaculture Association was approximately US$3 million. Detailed sequence analysis of RT‐PCR amplicons from shrimp in all the study ponds revealed the presence of YHV Type 1b (YHV‐1b) alone (characterized by a 162‐bp deletion in the ORF3 region encoding the structural gene for gp116) and the absence of YHV Type 1a (YHV‐1a), the original YHV type reported from Thailand. Despite the large 162‐bp deletion (= 54 deduced amino acids) in the gp116 structural gene, histopathology of YHV‐1b infections was identical to that of YHV‐1a infections, and electron microscopy revealed that YHV‐1b virions were morphologically indistinguishable from those previously reported for YHV‐1a. In addition, an existing commercial RT‐PCR detection kit and an immunochromatographic test strip for the detection of YHV were proven to have been valid tests for both YHV‐1b and YHV‐1a. The source of the virus for these outbreaks was unlikely to have been the post‐larvae used to stock the ponds, as they were derived from domesticated specific pathogen‐free stocks free of YHV. Thus, it is possible that they originated from an unknown, natural reservoir.     

多重PCR检测对虾白斑综合症病毒和传染性皮下组织坏死病毒

采用对虾白斑综合症病毒和传染性皮下组织坏死病毒的特异引物,在一个PCR反应中同时扩增到大小分别为271 bp和356 bp的病毒特异片段,多重PCR条件优化后可从最少100 fg级病毒DNA模板中定性检测出此两种病毒。     

湖北地区克氏原螯虾白斑综合征病毒变异区ORF14/15、ORF23/24基因序列比较分析

试验扩增、克隆了在湖北地区采集的19份克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)白斑综合征病毒(White spot syndrome virus,WSSV)阳性样品的变异区ORF14/15和ORF23/24基因,通过测序比较分析了湖北各WSSV毒株与Gen Bank公布的标准毒株间在变异区ORF14/15及ORF23/24基因的差异性。结果显示,19份WSSV阳性样品中有部分样品在变异区扩增出ORF14/15、ORF23/24基因片段,变异区基因序列分析发现,与Gen Bank已公布的标准毒株相比,存在大片段缺失。在变异区ORF14/15,有3个毒株扩增出1 442 bp的片段,4个毒株扩增出630 bp的片段,基于变异区ORF14/15构建的系统进化树显示,这些毒株归属两个不同的分支。在变异区ORF23/24,有2个毒株扩增出大小为2 096 bp的片段,进化分析发现这2个毒株在变异区ORF23/24的遗传距离较近。     

New genetic recombination in hypervariable regions of the white spot syndrome virus isolated from Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in northwest Mexico

The white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a pathogen of great concern to the worldwide shrimp culture. In comparative studies on the WSSV genome, regions such as the open reading frame (ORF) 14–15 and ORF 23–24, prone to deletions and recombination, had been useful to study the evolutive relationships among viral strains. When looking for the WSSV strains infecting Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in northwest Mexico, we found evidence of a genetic similarity in ORF 14–15 to a strain from India and a recombination involving ORFs 78, 79 and 80. Two genotypes were found involving the insertion of a 265 base‐pair segment of ORF 108 into ORF 78 with inversions and deletions within ORFs 78, 79 and 80. The WSSV has an Asian origin and the mutations found could be an adaptation strategy to infect L. vannamei and other crustacean species of the American continent.     

A Simple PCR Procedure to Detect White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) of Shrimp, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penaeus monodon</Emphasis> (Fabricious)

A non-stop, single tube and semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique with simple procedure was developed for simultaneous detection and grading the level of white spot syndrome infection in penaeid shrimp, Penaeus monodon. In this PCR procedure, three sense primers and one antisense primer with uniform annealing temperature of 55 °C were used. These primers amplify three PCR products (500, 300 and 200 base pairs [bp]) depending upon the severity of infection. Quantities of WSSV-DNA at 10 pg and greater gave three PCR products of 500, 300, 200 bp. A moderate concentration of WSSV-DNA, around 100 fg, gave two products of 300 and 200 bp and a low concentration of 1 fg or more gave only one PCR product of 200 bp. This PCR technique was assessed for early detection of WSSV in shrimp. In time-course infectivity experiments conducted on shrimp with WSSV, one PCR product (200 bp) was seen in hemolymph, tail tissue and gill at 3 h post infection (p.i.); two PCR products (300 and 200 bp) were seen in tail tissue, hemolymph, heart tissue and gill at 18 h p.i. At 30 h p.i., three PCR products (500, 300, 200 bp) were seen in all the organs tested. The samples collected from control animals showed negative for WSSV.