Experimental white spot syndrome virus challenge of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) at different salinities

In recent years, the shrimp industry has turned to inland freshwater culture as one method to avoid problems such as the introduction of possible vectors of viral pathogens into seawater ponds. Our experiments evaluated susceptibility to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in Litopenaeus vannamei held under different salinity regimens. Juvenile L. vannamei that were conditioned at salinities of 35, 25, 15, 5 and 2 g L⁻¹ were challenged with WSSV. In order to assess the severity of white spot disease, histological analysis and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were carried out on the challenged shrimp every 4 h after 48 h post challenge. The results indicated that significantly more severe infections resulted at 15‰ than at other salinities. Mortality could not be compared due to the sampling design and because severe WSSV infections occurred in all test groups such that few shrimp remained alive in each challenged group at the end of the test. Despite this, the results suggest that salinity may affect the course and outcome of WSSV infections.     

高位池养殖过程凡纳滨对虾携带WSSV情况的动态变化

为了更好地预防对虾白斑综合征(WSS)的暴发,探讨该病毒病的流行规律,笔者针对养殖过程中对虾的携带WSSV情况展开调查。调查于2010年7月-2010年11月广东省汕尾市红海湾养殖场进行,从10口凡纳滨对虾高位养殖池中随机抽取6口进行跟踪采样。收集指标包括对虾生长状况、基本环境指标、浮游微藻种群结构和对虾病毒携带量等。本文重点报道利用实时定量PCR-TaqMan探针法检测6口精养池塘对虾体内WSSV的携带量变化情况,检测结果显示:①1-3号虾池苗种携带WSSV,其波动范围在1.3×103~1.7×104copy/g之间;②对虾在养殖过程中均带毒,鳃组织中的平均病毒携带量(2.3×109copy/g)多于肌肉组织中的平均病毒携带量(3.2×108copy/g),且变化趋势一致,但没有显著性差异(P>0.05);③在整个养殖过程中对虾WSSV携带量总体呈现波动上升的趋势,期间各池出现过数次高值。前期WSSV拷贝数的波动范围在1.3×103~3.0×107copy/g之间,后期上升到1.5×106~1.2×1011copy/g,使得某些池塘养殖对虾WSS暴发。调查结果说明:1)对虾携带WSSV可以进行养殖生长;2)WSSV在对虾体内的含量是变化的,且其变化存在着一定的规律性;3)这种变化规律主要体现在带毒量随着养殖时间的进行及外界水环境中某些主要因子的变化而变化,如:养殖时间越长,带毒量越高;养殖环境中某些关键环境因子的改变,如:温差较大,不良藻相转换,天气骤变等均可引起对虾体内病毒含量较大的波动。鉴此,作者提出,构建并维持良好的浮游微藻的群落结构,注意有害藻相改变时保持养殖水体环境稳定,对环境突变前后都做好应对对虾应激的措施等可以极大程度地减少WSS暴发的可能。本研究通过对WSSV的密切跟踪,旨在更好的反映其在养殖环境下的动态变化规律,以及受各种环境因子影响的情况,从而为预防对虾WSS提供依据和参考。     

氨氮和亚硝基氮共同胁迫对凡纳滨对虾感染WSSV的影响

为了评价养殖水环境中氨氮和亚硝基氮对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)的危害性,开展了氨氮和亚硝基氮共同胁迫对凡纳滨对虾感染WSSV后的死亡率、WSSV在患病对虾体内增殖速率和对虾主要免疫相关酶活性影响的研究。实验设置氨氮(NH+4)和亚硝基氮(NO-2)的共同胁迫浓度均为20 mg·L-1,分别注射10-4和10-5稀释度的WSSV提取液。结果显示,胁迫下感染10-4WSSV的凡纳滨对虾144 h死亡率达到100%,显著高于无胁迫组(76.67%),相同实验条件下高浓度病毒感染组死亡率高于低浓度组。对虾鳃组织WSSV荧光定量PCR检测结果显示,氨氮和亚硝基氮共同胁迫下凡纳滨对虾体内WSSV的增殖加快,感染48 h后胁迫组病毒量是无胁迫组的1.6倍,72 h时病毒量达到无胁迫组的2.0~3.7倍。此外,免疫相关酶活性结果显示,氨氮和亚硝基氮浓度突变会促使对虾血清中酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性先短暂升高然后降低。由此可见,氨氮和亚硝基氮共同胁迫会加快WSSV在患病凡纳滨对虾体内的增殖,导致更高死亡率,这可能是因为胁迫造成了对虾免疫相关酶活性的降低和抗病原感染能力下降所致。     

不同温度下凡纳滨对虾和中国明对虾对白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)耐受性比较

本研究分别对凡纳滨对虾"壬海1号"(Litopenaeus vannamei"Renhai No.1")和中国明对虾"黄海2号"(Fenneropenaeus chinensis"Huanghai No.2")在3种温度条件下(24℃、28℃和32℃),采用单尾定量口饲感染白斑综合征病毒(White spot syndrome virus,WSSV)的方法进行感染实验,比较2种对虾在不同温度情况下对WSSV的耐受性差异(L代表凡纳滨对虾,F代表中国明对虾)。结果显示,L-24℃和F-24℃组的平均存活时间分为(184.05±69.56)h和(101.68±38.45)h;L-28℃和F-28℃组的平均存活时间分别为(100.25±26.79)h和(73.38±22.22)h,相同温度组内均存在显著性差异(P0.05);截至第15天,L-32℃和F-32℃组的存活率分别为45.74%和23.47%。3个温度组对虾在50%的死亡率时的存活时间分别为178 h和98 h、98 h和74 h、292 h和78 h;死亡高峰时间分别为第5天和第4天、第5天和第4天、第10天和第4天。另外,分别在感染后的12 h、1 d、2 d、3 d、4 d、5 d、6 d、7 d、15 d共9个时间点对每组对虾进行活体取样,利用实时荧光定量RT-PCR技术对其进行病毒载量检测,从对虾体内肌肉组织病毒载量的角度探寻不同对虾抗病性能的差异。6 d时,L-24℃和F-24℃组对虾肌肉内病毒载量分别达到(2.97×10~6±7.44×10~6)和(8.08×10~6±3.22×10~6)copies/ng DNA,差异极显著(P0.01),L-28℃和F-28℃组分别达到(6.73×10~6±1.49×10~6)和(1.20×10~7±6.15×10~5)copies/ng DNA,差异极显著(P0.01);15 d,L-32℃和F-32℃组分别达到(5.18×10~4±4.32×10~4)和(3.78×10~4±8.97×10~4)copies/ng DNA,差异显著(P0.05)。研究表明,2种对虾在3种温度环境下感染WSSV后,凡纳滨对虾耐受WSSV能力要高于中国明对虾;不同温度下同种对虾肌肉体内WSSV的增殖能力从强到弱依次为28℃组、24℃组和32℃组。     

Dietary protein level and natural food management in the culture of blue (Litopenaeus stylirostris) and white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in microcosms

The effect of dietary protein level and natural food management on the production parameters of blue and white shrimp, as well as on water quality, was evaluated in a microcosms system (plastic pools simulating aquaculture ponds). Two experimental trials were carried out in the facilities of DICTUS, University of Sonora, Northwest México. Treatment with low protein diet (LP) consisted of a low protein input (diet with 250 g kg^?1 crude protein) through the culture period; treatment with high protein diet (HP) consisted of a high protein input (diet with 400 g kg^?1 crude protein) through the trial, and finally treatment VP consisted of an adjustment of protein input (diets with 250, 350 or 400 g kg^?1 crude protein), depending on the abundance of biota (zooplankton and benthos) in the system. Each species responded differently to the treatments. For blue shrimp, low protein input resulted in the lowest final body weight (12.9 ± 0.6 g) and biomass (696.0 g pool^?1). Survival and feed conversion ratio were similar in the three treatments. For white shrimp, the best growth, biomass and food conversion ratio were obtained in the low protein input treatment. Water quality parameters such as nitrate, ammonia and organic matter during the two trials, were better for LP and VP treatments. White shrimp seems to have lower protein requirements than blue shrimp. For the blue shrimp culture, adjusting protein input according to natural food abundance (zooplankton and benthos) in the system, seems to be advantageous because of the possibility of getting a production similar to that obtained with a high protein input through the farming period, but at lower feed cost, and with a lower environmental impact. It is concluded that a high protein input through the whole farming period is not the best feeding strategy for any of the two species.     

壳聚糖硫酸酯提高凡纳滨对虾抗白斑综合征病毒感染力的研究

论述如下一项研究,采用壳聚糖硫酸酯添加到饲料中投喂凡纳滨对虾,4周后检测对虾血清酚氧化酶、超氧化物歧化酶和溶菌酶活性;同时进行白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)的肌肉注射感染实验,以检测壳聚糖硫酸酯对病毒的抗感染能力。实验结果显示,饲料中壳聚糖硫酸酯添加量为0.15‰和0.50‰,能显著提高凡纳滨对虾血清酚氧化酶活性;添加量为0.15‰时,能显著提高对虾血清超氧化物歧化酶活性,但添加量继续增大时反而下降;在低添加量时,对虾血清溶菌酶活性与对照组相近,添加量为0.15‰和0.50‰时,对虾血清溶菌酶活性随添加量增大而升高。凡纳滨对虾摄食添加壳聚糖硫酸酯饲料4周后,经注射WSSV攻毒感染,壳聚糖硫酸酯添加量为0.04‰、0.15‰和0.50‰试验组,对虾比成活率分别为39.3%、42.9%和53.6%,而未摄食壳聚糖硫酸酯的对照组成活率仅为17.9%。结果表明,摄食壳聚糖硫酸酯可以明显提高对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。     

Survival of White Spot Syndrome Virus–Infected Litopenaeus vannamei Fed with Ethanol Extract of Uncaria Tomentosa

With the present project, the phytochemical composition of Uncaria tomentosa cultivated in Chapecó (Brazil) was analyzed and then the potential of using this local plant extract to protect by oral feeding virus‐infected Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp was also investigated. For this study, five treatments were tested: uninfected shrimp fed with pelleted feed (T_C), WSSV‐infected shrimp fed with pelleted feed (T₁), infected shrimp fed with pelleted feed with 1% ethanol extract of U. tomentosa (EEUT) (T₂), infected shrimp fed with pelleted feed with 2% EEUT (T₃), and infected shrimp fed pelleted feed with 4% EEUT (T₄). The chemical analysis of EEUT showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, terpenes, coumarins, and tannins and also a high in vitro free radical‐scavenging activity as well as high total phenolic content. Shrimp fed with 2 and 4% EEUT (T₃ and T₄) showed a survival probability significantly higher than T₁ and T₂ treatments and no clinical symptoms of WSSV infection. Immunological assay also showed a positive phenoloxidase activity effect on shrimp fed with EEUT.     

凡纳滨对虾氨氮急性胁迫应激敏感群体和耐受群体对WSSV敏感性的差异分析

凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)是世界范围内举足轻重的水产养殖品种,在普遍的高密度养殖活动及环境恶化的情况下,逆境胁迫是影响其养成率的主要因素之一,其中,高浓度氨氮胁迫是最普遍的毒理因子。由于对虾抗病性状的遗传力较低,且在受限于测试场地的低选择强度情况下,抗病选育的进展比较缓慢。而对虾的抗逆性具有较高的遗传力,且不具备传染性的特点使得其不受测试场地的限制。因此,本研究以氨氮急性胁迫应激敏感群体(SP)和耐受群体(TP)为实验材料,对其进行白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)敏感性差异分析,首次探索了通过提高对虾对逆境急性胁迫应激的耐受性,从而间接提高其抗病力的可能性。本研究每个群体设3个处理:高浓度氨氮胁迫下(10 mg/L)WSSV感染组,两群体分别命名为SPAV和TPAV;正常海水条件下(氨氮水平小于0.01 mg/L)WSSV感染组,分别命名为SPV和TPV;正常海水条件无WSSV感染组(空白对照组),分别命名为SPC和TPC。结果显示,SP群体(5 h)在WSSV感染后开始死亡的时间显著早于TP群体(16 h);从感染60 h后,SPAV组的死亡率呈直线上升趋势,到137 h时该组全部死亡,其累积死亡率显著高于SPV(70.42%)和TP群体的2个组TPAV(42.67%)和TPV(18.99%)(P0.05)。在144 h实验结束时,SPV的累积死亡率为73.67%,显著高于TP群体的2个组TPAV(46.15%)和TPV(18.99%)以及SP群体的对照组SPC(34.79%);此时,TPAV组的累积死亡率显著高于TPV和TPC组(P0.05),而TPV与TPC组间无显著差异。研究表明,逆境毒理因子(氨氮胁迫)会增加对虾对病原的敏感性,而且对氨氮急性胁迫应激耐受力高的群体对病毒的抵抗力也高。本研究为探索提高对虾抗病力而降低养殖过程中的死亡率提供了新的思路和途径。     

氨氮胁迫下白斑综合征病毒对凡纳滨对虾的致病性

为了评价养殖水环境中氨氮(NH_4-N)对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)的危害性,开展了NH_4-N胁迫对凡纳滨对虾感染白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)后的死亡率、WSSV增殖速率和对虾主要免疫相关酶活性影响的实验。在NH_4-N胁迫质量浓度为15.6 mg·L-1,分别注射2×105和2×106个WSSV粒子,结果显示,NH_4-N胁迫下注射2×105个WSSV粒子的凡纳滨对虾第144小时死亡率达到53.3%,显著高于无胁迫组(40.0%)。对虾鳃组织WSSV荧光定量PCR检测结果显示,NH_4-N胁迫下凡纳滨对虾鳃组织内WSSV的增殖加快。此外,免疫相关酶活性结果显示,NH_4-N浓度突变会促使对虾血清中酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性短暂升高后持续降低。由此可见,NH_4-N胁迫会加快WSSV在患病凡纳滨对虾体内的增殖,导致更高死亡率,这可能是因为胁迫造成了对虾免疫相关酶活性降低和抗病原感染能力下降。     

White spot syndrome virus epizootic in cultured Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in Taiwan

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has caused significant losses in shrimp farms worldwide. Between 2004 and 2006, Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) were collected from 220 farms in Taiwan to determine the prevalence and impact of WSSV infection on the shrimp farm industry. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis detected WSSV in shrimp from 26% of farms. Juvenile shrimp farms had the highest infection levels (38%; 19/50 farms) and brooder shrimp farms had the lowest (5%; one of 20 farms). The average extent of infection at each farm was as follows for WSSV‐positive farms: post‐larvae farms, 71%; juvenile farms, 61%; subadult farms, 62%; adult farms, 49%; and brooder farms, 40%. Characteristic white spots, hypertrophied nuclei and basophilic viral inclusion bodies were found in the epithelia of gills and tail fans, appendages, cephalothorax and hepatopancreas, and virions of WSSV were observed. Of shrimp that had WSSV lesions, 100% had lesions on the cephalothorax, 96% in gills and tail fans, 91% on appendages and 17% in the hepatopancreas. WSSV was also detected in copepoda and crustaceans from the shrimp farms. Sequence comparison using the pms146 gene fragment of WSSV showed that isolates from the farms had 99.7–100% nucleotide sequence identity with four strains in the GenBank database – China ( AF332093 ), Taiwan ( AF440570 and U50923 ) and Thailand ( AF369029 ). This is the first broad study of WSSV infection in L. vannamei in Taiwan.     

海藻糖对南美白对虾免疫活性物的影响

以南美白对虾为实验对象,将海藻糖作为免疫诱导制剂,注射到南美白对虾体内,在连续注射5d和7 d时,分别对南美白对虾血清中的凝血活性、超氧化物歧化酶活性(SOD)、溶血素活性进行测定。结果表明,注射海藻糖5 d和7 d时,南美白对虾血清中凝集活性比对照组分别提高了3倍、2倍,SOD比对照组分别提高了2.5倍、2倍,溶血素活性比对照组分别提高了2倍、1.5倍。说明海藻糖可以明显提高南美白对虾血清中这3种酶的表达水平。     

口服特异性卵黄抗体对凡纳滨对虾抗WSSV感染的免疫保护效果

为探讨特异性卵黄抗体对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)抗白斑综合征病毒(white spot syndrome virus, WSSV)的免疫保护机制及效果,本研究以添加不同剂量WSSV卵黄抗体制剂(0、0.2%和0.5%)的饲料投喂凡纳滨对虾幼虾,免疫28 d后使用WSSV进行人工感染,测定感染对虾的肝胰腺免疫酶活力和免疫基因表达水平,以及感染后14 d内对虾的存活率。结果显示,WSSV感染3 d后,与未添加卵黄抗体制剂的对照组相比,0.2%免疫组对虾肝胰腺的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和酚氧化酶(PO)活力显著升高,酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活力显著降低,热休克蛋白70基因(Hsp70)表达水平显著升高,凝集素基因(lectin)和β-1,3-葡聚糖结合蛋白–脂蛋白基因(β-GBP-HDL)表达水平显著降低;0.5%免疫组对虾肝胰腺的SOD活力显著升高,ACP和AKP活力显著降低,Hsp70基因表达水平显著升高,β-GBP-HDL基因表达水平显著降低。人工感染实验结果显示,WSSV感染14 d后,0.2%和0.5%免疫组对虾的存活率分别为48.89%和87.78%,均显著高于对照组(存活率为0),且0.5%免疫组对虾存活率显著高于0.2%免疫组。特异性卵黄抗体制剂能在一定程度上改变发病的进程,延迟对虾的发病和死亡时间,提高同期存活率。研究表明,口服特异性卵黄抗体制剂可以调节对虾肝胰腺免疫酶活力和免疫基因表达水平,显著提高凡纳滨对虾抗WSSV感染的能力。本研究为卵黄抗体抗WSSV感染机制的研究提供了参考,也为在生产上使用卵黄抗体防控WSSV感染提供了科学依据。     

养殖南美白对虾桃拉综合征病原的确认及其组织病理学观察

应用RT-PCR技术,对福建南部养殖南美白对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)自然暴发的急性传染病病原进行了检测。结果检出桃拉综合征病毒。对231bp的扩增产物进行了测序,并与Genbank桃拉综合征病毒相应序列进行比较,其同源性超过97．O％。临床观察也表明,虾体表发红、有的虾体表散布有一些灰白色病灶,附肢及尾扇发红,还有一些病虾体表散布大量黑色不规则病灶,为桃拉综合征病毒感染引起的典型症状。组织病理学检查表明,病虾体表、附肢、鳃等组织的表皮上皮有许多坏死病灶,结缔组织细胞与相邻横纹肌纤维基底部也有病变。病变细胞嗜酸性颗粒增多,细胞核固缩或破裂。部分病虾肝胰腺出现脂肪化和空泡变性。     

凡纳滨对虾RAS与WSSV-VP26的相互作用

白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)是对虾养殖中主要的病原之一,病原与宿主作用是介导病毒感染的重要过程。RAS蛋白是Ras基因分泌的保守蛋白,为小G蛋白家族的一员,普遍存在于从酵母菌到哺乳动物的真核细胞中,具有偶联受体和效应系统传递跨膜信号的功能,在细胞增殖和分化中起双重调节的作用,但关于RAS与WSSV的作用尚不明确。本研究将凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei) Ras基因克隆至pBAD/gⅢA表达载体上,以E. coli Top10为宿主菌,在L-阿拉伯糖的诱导下获得RAS重组蛋白。以Co~(2+)亲和层析方法,获得纯化的RAS蛋白,质谱分析显示,该蛋白为凡纳滨对虾RAS。采用Far-western和ELISA检测方法分析RAS与WSSV结构蛋白VP26、VP28N和VP37的相互作用。Far-western结果显示,RAS与VP26有明显的结合作用,ELISA实验结果显示,RAS与VP26蛋白的相互作用随RAS量的增加而增强。本研究表明,RAS参与WSSV侵染过程,为进一步研究WSSV侵染机制提供了理论基础。     

几株肠道益生菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异免疫力和抗病力的影响

以基础饲料为对照组,在基础饲料中分别添加坚强芽孢杆菌活菌(Bacillus firmus)、坚强芽孢杆菌活菌(1.0×108 CFU/g)+美人鱼发光杆菌(Photobacterium damsela)灭活菌(1％)、坚强芽孢杆菌活菌(1.0×108 CFU/g)+溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)灭活菌(1％)配制3种免疫饲料.每组3个重复,对个体质量为(3.2±0.26)g的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)进行了为期30d的养殖实验.每5d取样,以血清中的酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、一氧化氮合酶(NOS)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了肠道益生菌及其灭活菌体作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第16天,按0.9 g/10尾剂量,直接投喂感染白斑综合征病毒(wssV)对虾病料,计算各实验组每天的累计死亡率,分析肠道益生菌及其灭活菌体作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾病毒感染能力的影响.结果显示:添加益生菌的实验组对虾血清中SOD、ACP、AKP和NOS活性明显高于对照组(P＜0.05),特别是显著提高了对虾抗WSSV感染的能力.其中坚强芽孢杆菌活菌(1.0× 108 CFU/g)和美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌(1％)实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,感染WSSV 14 d后累计死亡率为10.71％;而对照组为64.28％.结论认为,饲料中添加肠道益生菌及其灭活菌体能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平和抵抗疾病的能力,有望作为新型对虾免疫增强剂应用于对虾养殖业.     

中国对虾(Fenneropenaeus chinensis)和凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)对白斑综合征病毒的敏感性比较

本研究分别对中国对虾野生群体(Wild-Fenneropenaeus chinensis, W-Fc)、中国对虾选育群体‘黄海2号’(Selected-Fenneropenaeus chinensis, S-Fc)和凡纳滨对虾商业一代苗种(Commercial- Litopenaeus vannamei, C-Lv)采用单尾定量口饲感染白斑综合征病毒(WSSV),比较W-Fc、S-Fc及C-Lv对WSSV的敏感性差异。结果显示,感染同等含量WSSV后,W-Fc、S-Fc和C-Lv的平均存活时间分别为(124.11±39.49) h、(166.79±51.54) h和(136.90±41.99) h,3组对虾间的平均存活时间存在显著性差异(P<0.05)。3组对虾在感染期间的死亡趋势：W-Fc在96 h达到死亡高峰,并且一直持续到216 h;S-Fc和C-Lv在144 h出现死亡高峰。另外,分别在感染后的3、6、12、24、36、48、72、144 h共8个时间点对3组对虾进行活体取样,利用实时荧光定量RT-PCR技术对其进行了病毒载量检测,从对虾存活时间和体内肌肉组织病毒载量的角度比较不同对虾抗病性能的差异,结果如下：48 h时,W-Fc、S-Fc和C-Lv3对虾体内肌肉组织的病毒载量分别为(1.22×106±6.14×105)、(7.10×103±7.26×102)和(1.50×104± 4.19×103) copies/ng DNA;144 h时,3组对虾体内肌肉组织病毒载量分别为(8.44×106±1.25×106)、(3.21×106±8.21×105)和(1.49×106±6.59×105) copies/ng DNA。实验结果显示,3组对虾对WSSV敏感性从高到低依次为中国对虾野生群体、凡纳滨对虾商业苗种、中国对虾选育群体,表明中国对虾选育群体‘黄海2号’在人工感染WSSV条件下表现出了良好的抗病性能。     

Competition of infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) for binding to shrimp cellular membrane

Infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) are two widespread shrimp viruses. The interference of IHHNV on WSSV was the first reported case of viral interference that involved crustacean viruses and has been subsequently confirmed. However, the mechanisms underlying the induction of WSSV resistance through IHHNV infection are practically unknown. In this study, the interference mechanisms between IHHNV and WSSV were studied using a competitive ELISA. The binding of WSSV and IHHNV to cellular membrane of Litopenaeus vannamei was examined. The results suggested that there existed a mutual competition between IHHNV and WSSV for binding to receptors present on cellular membrane of L. vannamei and that the inhibitory effects of WSSV towards IHHNV were more distinct than those of IHHNV towards WSSV.     

Silencing Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei LvRab7 reduces mortality in brooders challenged with white spot syndrome virus

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a major threat for farmed shrimp worldwide. RNA interference (RNAi) is the most recent tool against viral diseases. Rab7 silencing effectively inhibited virus infections in juvenile shrimp, but the antiviral effect in brooders remains unknown. This study found a homologue Penaeus monodon Rab7 gene in Litopenaeus vannamei brooders from Mexico. Sequence identity was >99% to a Thai LvRab7 sequence and >94% to Rab7 sequences from P. monodon or Marsupenaeus japonicus. Animals treated with a partial (494 bp) or a complete (618 bp) LvRab7 dsRNA sequences and challenged 48 h post treatment (hpt) with a high WSSV dose showed 80–88% mortality respectively. Shrimp treated with 4 or 20 μg LvRab7 dsRNA and challenged with a WSSV high dose had 80% mortality each, but it was reduced to 33% and 40%, respectively, with a low dose. Efficacy of dsRNA to reduce shrimp mortality was dependent on virus dose used regardless of dsRNA concentration. A significant reduction in LvRab7 mRNA levels was observed at 120 hpt. In conclusion, silencing LvRab7 in brooders showed a mild antiviral effect against a WSSV challenge at 48 hpt.     

Effects of acute change in salinity and moulting on the infection of white leg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) with white spot syndrome virus upon immersion challenge

In the field, moulting and salinity drop in the water due to excessive rainfall have been mentioned to be risk factors for WSSV outbreaks. Therefore, in this study, the effect of an acute change in environmental salinity and shedding of the old cuticle shell on the susceptibility of Penaeus vannamei to WSSV was evaluated by immersion challenge. For testing the effect of abrupt salinity stress, early premoult shrimp that were acclimated to 35 g L^?1 were subjected to salinities of 50 g L^?1, 35 g L^?1, 20 g L^?1, 10 g L^?1 and 7 g L^?1 or 5 g L^?1 and simultaneously exposed to 10^5.5 SID₅₀ mL^?1 of WSSV for 5 h, after which the salinity was brought back to 35 g L^?1. Shrimp that were transferred from 35 g L^?1 to 50 g L^?1, 35 g L^?1 and 20 g L^?1 did not become infected with WSSV. Shrimp became infected with WSSV after an acute salinity drop from 35 g L^?1 to 10 g L^?1 and lower. The mortality in shrimp, subjected to a salinity change to 10 g L^?1, 7 g L^?1 and 5 g L^?1, was 6.7%, 46.7% and 53.3%, respectively (P < 0.05)_. For testing the effect of moulting, shrimp in early premoult, moulting and post‐moult were immersed in sea water containing 10^5.5 SID₅₀ mL^?1 of WSSV. The resulting mortality due to WSSV infection in shrimp inoculated during early premoult (0%), ecdysis (53.3%) and post‐moult (26.72%) demonstrated that a significant difference exists in susceptibility of shrimp during the short moulting process (P < 0.05). The findings of this study indicate that during a drop in environmental salinity lower than 10 g L^?1 and ecdysis, shrimp are at risk for a WSSV infection. These findings have important implications for WSSV control measures.