Development of monoclonal antibodies against VP28 of WSSV and its application to detect WSSV using immunocomb

White spot disease (WSD) is an important viral disease of penaeid shrimp caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). WSSV isolated from WSD outbreaks in commercial shrimp (Penaeus monodon) farms in India were propagated in the laboratory in healthy shrimp. The virus was purified from the infected tissues by sucrose gradient centrifugation. The VP28 was electroeluted from SDS-PAGE gels and was used to immunize Balb/c mice to produce hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against WSSV. A total of five hybridoma clones secreting MAbs to VP28 were produced. The MAbs were of the isotypes IgG1, IgG2b and IgM. The MAbs reacted with VP28 of WSSV and not with any other viral or shrimp protein in western blot. The MAbs were used to develop dot immunoblot assay using an immunocomb to detect WSSV from field samples. The test developed had an analytical sensitivity of 625 pg and a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% compared to single step polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The test can be used as an alternate for first step PCR to detect WSSV from field samples.     

A Microsatellite DNA Marker Developed for Identifying Disease‐resistant Population of Giant Black Tiger Shrimp,Penaeus monodon

White spot disease caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) poses major problems that result in huge economic losses each year in shrimp aquaculture throughout the world. In the present study, microsatellite‐based DNA fingerprints have been compared between naturally occurring WSSV disease‐resistant and susceptible populations of giant black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, to find DNA markers. For the first time, we report here a microsatellite locus, which, after amplification by polymerase chain reaction, provides a highly statistically significant DNA fingerprint of 71 bp, only in disease susceptible populations but not in disease‐resistant shrimp populations, whereas a 317 bp band is common in both. The absence of the former DNA marker will be very useful to identify disease‐resistant broodstock of P. monodon for marker‐assisted selection in breeding programs to generate disease‐free shrimps (P. monodon) in the aquaculture industry.     

TaqMan real-time PCR assay for relative quantification of white spot syndrome virus infection in Penaeus monodon Fabricius exposed to ammonia

White spot disease is caused by a highly virulent pathogen, the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). The disease is usually triggered by changes in environmental parameters causing severe losses to the shrimp industry. This study was undertaken to quantify the relative WSSV load in shrimp exposed to ammonia, using a TaqMan‐based real‐time PCR, and their subsequent susceptibility to WSSV. Shrimp were exposed to different levels of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) (8.1, 3.8 and 1.1 mg L^?1) for 10 days and challenged with WSSV by feeding WSSV‐positive shrimp. WSSV was detected simultaneously in haemolymph, gills and pereopods at four hours post‐infection. The TaqMan real‐time PCR assay showed a highly dynamic detection limit that spanned over 6 log₁₀ concentrations of DNA and high reproducibility (standard deviation 0.33–1.42) and small correlation of variability (CV) (1.89–3.85%). Shrimp exposed to ammonia had significantly higher (P < 0.01) WSSV load compared to the positive control, which was not exposed to ammonia. Shrimp exposed to 8.1 mg L^?1 of TAN had the highest (P < 0.01) WSSV load in all three organs in comparison with those exposed to 3.8 and 1.1 mg L^?1 of TAN. However, haemolymph had significantly higher (P < 0.01) viral load compared to the gills and pereopods. Results showed that shrimp exposed to ammonia levels as low as 1.1 mg L^?1 (TAN) had increased susceptibility to WSSV.     

Development of a monoclonal antibody‐based flow‐through immunoassay (FTA) for detection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon

A flow‐through immunoassay (FTA), an improved version of immunodot, was developed using a nitrocellulose membrane baked onto adsorbent pads enclosed in a plastic cassette to detect white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp. Sharp purple dots developed with WSSV against the white background of the nitrocellulose membrane. The detection limits of WSSV by the FTA and immunodot were 0.312 and 1.2 μg mL^?1 crude WSSV protein, respectively. The FTA could be completed in 8–10 min compared with 90 min for immunodot. The FTA was 100 times more sensitive than 1‐step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in between that of the 1‐ and 2‐step PCR protocol recommended by the Office of International Epizootics (OIE). In experimental, orally infected shrimp post‐larvae, WSSV was first detected 14, 16 and 18 h post‐infection (hpi) by FTA, immunodot and one‐step PCR, respectively. The FTA detected WSSV 2 and 4 h earlier than immunodot and one‐step PCR, respectively. The FTA was more sensitive (25/27) than one‐step PCR (23/27) and immunodot (23/27) for the detection of WSSV from white spot disease outbreak ponds. The reagent components of the FTA were stable giving expected results for 6 m at 4–8 °C. The FTA is available as a rapid test kit called ‘RapiDot’ for the early detection of WSSV under field conditions.     

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.     

Virulence status,viral accommodation and structural protein profiles of white spot syndrome virus isolates in farmed Penaeus monodon from the southeast coast of India

The objective of this study was to investigate the reason for variation in the virulence of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) from different shrimp farms in the Southeast coast of India. Six isolates of WSSV from farms experiencing outbreaks (virulent WSSV; vWSSV) and three isolates of WSSV from farms that had infected shrimps but no outbreaks (non‐virulent WSSV; nvWSSV) were collected from different farms in the Southeast coast of India. The sampled animals were all positive for WSSV by first‐step PCR. The viral isolates were compared using histopathology, electron microscopy, SDS‐PAGE analysis of viral structural proteins, an in vivo infectivity experiment and sequence comparison of major structural protein VP28; there were no differences between isolates in these analyses. A significant observation was that the haemolymph protein profile of nvWSSV‐infected shrimps showed three extra polypeptide bands at 41, 33 and 24 kDa that were not found in the haemolymph protein profile of vWSSV‐infected shrimps. The data obtained in this study suggest that the observed difference in the virulence of WSSV may not be due to any change in the virus, rather it could be due to the shrimp defence system producing certain factors that help it to accommodate the virus without causing any mortality.     

Recent insights into host–pathogen interaction in white spot syndrome virus infected penaeid shrimp

Viral disease outbreaks are a major concern impeding the development of the shrimp aquaculture industry. The viral disease due to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) observed in early 1990s still continues unabated affecting the shrimp farms and cause huge economic loss to the shrimp aquaculture industry. In the absence of effective therapeutics to control WSSV, it is important to understand viral pathogenesis and shrimp response to WSSV at the molecular level. Identification and molecular characterization of WSSV proteins and receptors may facilitate in designing and development of novel therapeutics and antiviral drugs that may inhibit viral replication. Investigations into host–pathogen interactions might give new insights to viral infectivity, tissue tropism and defence mechanism elicited in response to WSSV infection. However, due to the limited information on WSSV gene function and host immune response, the signalling pathways which are associated in shrimp pathogen interaction have also not been elucidated completely. In the present review, the focus is on those shrimp proteins and receptors that are potentially involved in virus infection or in the defence mechanism against WSSV. In addition, the major signalling pathways involved in the innate immune response and the role of apoptosis in host–pathogen interaction is discussed.     

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.     

A review on the morphology, molecular characterization, morphogenesis and pathogenesis of white spot syndrome virus

Since it first appeared in 1992, white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has become the most threatening infectious agent in shrimp aquaculture. Within a decade, this pathogen has spread to all the main shrimp farming areas and has caused enormous economic losses amounting to more than seven billion US dollars. At present, biosecurity methods used to exclude pathogens in shrimp farms include disinfecting ponds and water, preventing the entrance of animals that may carry infectious agents and stocking ponds with specific pathogen-free post-larvae. The combination of these practices increases biosecurity in shrimp farming facilities and may contribute to reduce the risk of a WSSV outbreak. Although several control methods have shown some efficacy against WSSV under experimental conditions, no therapeutic products or strategies are available to effectively control WSSV in the field. Furthermore, differences in virulence and clinical outcome of WSSV infections have been reported. The sequencing and characterization of different strains of WSSV has begun to determine aspects of its biology, virulence and pathogenesis. Knowledge on these aspects is critical for developing effective control methods. The aim of this review is to present an update of the knowledge generated so far on different aspects of WSSV organization, morphogenesis, pathology and pathogenesis.     

A rapid non-enzymatic method of DNA extraction for PCR detection of white spot syndrome virus in shrimp

The present study describes a simple method of extraction of white spot syndrome viral DNA (WSSV) from infected shrimp for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of WSSV. The DNA preparation using this method was found to be free from the host DNA, RNA and protein, and is suitable for different PCR protocols such as single‐step PCR, nested PCR and single‐tube semi‐nested PCR. This method of extraction has worked successfully for extracting the WSSV‐DNA from different organs (haemolymph, eyestalk, carapace, head muscle, heart, gills, appendages, heptopancreas, stomach, intestine, abdominal muscle and tail muscle) of WSSV‐infected adult shrimp, and WSSV‐infected larvae and postlarvae.     

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.     

3种市售养殖对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)的核酸探针检测

对虾白斑综合征病毒是对虾养殖业危害最为严重的病毒, 每年给对虾养殖造成很大经济损失, 已成为对虾养殖业可持续发展的严重障碍。在过去的十几年中, 人们采取各种方法防止白斑综合征病毒的传播。中国明对虾(Fenneropenaeus chinensis )、凡纳滨对虾( Litopenae vannamei)、日本囊对虾(Marsup enaeus jap onicus)是我国主要的对虾养殖品种, 也是白斑综合征病毒的敏感宿主。按照煮沸- 乙醇沉淀法快速、简便提取市售30 只中国明对虾、28只凡纳滨对虾、29只日本囊对虾DNA, 然后用地高辛标记的核酸探针进行斑点杂交检测白斑综合征病毒,从而了解市场中养殖对虾携带白斑综合征病毒的情况。检测结果显示, 所有样品均未感染白斑综合征病毒, 说明目前白斑综合征病毒在一定程度上得到了有效控制。     

Limited evidence for genetic variation for resistance to the white spot syndrome virus in Indian populations of Penaeus monodon

There has been a highly detrimental impact of the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) on black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) aquaculture in India. Currently, no cost‐effective measures are available for controlling the disease. One alternative is to improve WSSV resistance through a selective breeding programme for disease‐resistant shrimp, provided that genetic variation exists for this trait. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evidence for genetic variation in resistance to WSSV in P. monodon sourced from Indian populations. Post‐larval shrimp (n=1950) from 54 full‐sibling families were challenged with WSSV using WSSV‐infected mince meat. The heritability was estimated using four different statistical models fitted to the resulting time to death data, including two linear models and two Weibull proportional hazard frailty models. None of the estimated heritabilities were significantly different from zero. We suggest three possible explanations for these results: there actually is very little variation between P. monodon in WSSV resistance and all individuals are highly susceptible to the disease; there is genetic variation in resistance to WSSV in P. monodon but we did not find it in our experiment because the level of challenge in the experiment was too high to allow genetic differences to be expressed; the variation is due to mutations conferring resistance, which are at a low frequency in the population, and we did not sample a broad enough genetic base to capture these mutations.     

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.     

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。     

Kinetic analysis of internalization of white spot syndrome virus by haemocyte subpopulations of penaeid shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone), and the outcome for virus and cell

Little is known about the innate antiviral defence of shrimp haemocytes. In this context, the haemocytes of penaeid shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) were separated by iodixanol density gradient centrifugation into five subpopulations (sub): sub 1 (hyalinocytes), sub 2 and 3 (prohyalinocytes), sub 4 (semigranulocytes) and sub 5 (granulocytes) and exposed to beads, white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and ultraviolet (UV)‐killed WSSV. In a first experiment, the uptake of beads, white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and UV‐killed WSSV by these different haemocyte subpopulations was investigated using confocal microscopy. Only haemocytes of sub 1, 4 and 5 were internalizing beads, WSSV and UV‐killed WSSV. Beads were engulfed by a much larger percentage of cells (91.2 in sub 1; 84.1 in sub 4 and 58.1 in sub 5) compared to WSSV (9.6 in sub 1; 10.5 in sub 4 and 7.9 in sub 5) and UV‐killed WSSV (12.9 in sub 1; 13.3 in sub 4; and 11.8 in sub 5). In a second experiment, it was shown that upon internalization, WSS virions lost their envelope most probably by fusion with the cellular membrane of the endosome (starting between 30 and 60 min post‐inoculation) and that afterwards the capsid started to become disintegrated (from 360 min post‐inoculation). Expression of new viral proteins was not observed. Incubation of haemocyte subpopulations with WSSV but not with UV‐killed WSSV and polystyrene beads resulted in a significant drop in haemocyte viability. To find the underlying mechanism, a third experiment was performed in which haemocyte subpopulations were exposed to a short WSSV DNA fragment (VP19) and CpG ODNs. These small DNA fragments induced cell death. In conclusion, WSSV is efficiently internalized by hyalinocytes, semigranulocytes and granulocytes, after which the virus loses its envelope; as soon as the capsids start to disintegrate, cell death is activated, which in part may be explained by the exposure of viral DNA to cellular‐sensing molecules.     

浙江省和广东省部分地区2005年虾病发生的病原学调查研究

对2005年浙江省和广东省部分养殖场南美白对虾的急性传染病病原进行了研究。临床症状发现大部分病虾带有白斑综合症的明显症状,后通过组织病理学观察,PCR检测及测序分析,证实本次病害的主要病原是白斑综合症病毒,说明白斑综合症在对虾养殖中仍存在着流行趋势。