Passive immunity in tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) fed with monoclonal antibody to white spot syndrome virus

A study was conducted on the stability of monoclonal antibody (MAb) in the hepatopancreas and hemolymph of Penaeus monodon and its effect on protection against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) upon challenge. MAb C-5 raised against WSSV was purified and coated onto a commercial shrimp feed at dosages of 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg feed. The feed was fed to P. monodon and stability of the MAb in hepatopancreas and hemolymph was determined by immunodot and Western blot. Immunodot results indicated the presence of MAb for 2 h post-feeding in hepatopancreas and hemolymph which was dose-dependent. MAb was also detected in hemolymph by Western blot up to 1 h post-feeding. Shrimp fed with MAb were challenged with WSSV by oral and injection methods. In shrimp fed with 15 mg antibody/kg feed (0.45 μg MAb/g shrimp/day) WSSV infection significantly delayed both in oral and injection challenges with a survival of 65 and 70 % (p < 0.05), respectively, during 15 days post-challenge. MAb was stable in shrimp for passive immunization against WSSV and could be a potential tool for prophylaxis against the virus.