Development of immunodot blot assay for the detection of white spot syndrome virus infection in shrimps (Penaeus monodon)

The VP 28 gene encoding a structural envelope protein of the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was cloned into a pET32a(+) expression vector for the production of the recombinant VP28 protein. A purified recombinant protein of 39.9 kDa size was used for polyclonal antibody production in rabbit. Specific immunoreactivity of the rabbit anti rVP28 antiserum to the viral antigen was confirmed by a Western blot. The specificity of this polyclonal anti‐rVP28 antiserum to detect the presence of the virus in WSSV‐infected Penaeus monodon was verified using a immunodot blot assay. Immunodot blot showed a positive reaction in infected shrimp tissues with prominent colour development using 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as a chromogenic substrate when compared with 3–3′ diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB). Highest signal intensities of the immunodots were observed in infected shrimp pleopod extracts and haemolymph. On comparison with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunodot blot could detect 76% of PCR‐positive WSSV‐infected shrimp samples. Immunodot blot was found to be equivalent to first‐step PCR sensitivity to detect WSSV particles estimated to contain 1.0 × 10⁵ viral DNA copies.     

白斑综合征病毒囊膜蛋白vp28基因在毕赤酵母中的表达

白斑综合征病毒(whitespotsyndromevirus,WSSV)是危害东南亚及北美洲沿岸养殖对虾的重要病原。近十年来,国内外对该病毒的形态结构、基因组全序列、宿主范围、传播途径、致病性和组织细胞特异性等作了大量的研究[1-7],并已确定该病毒的侵染与其囊膜蛋白vp28有关[8]。实验根据已发表的白斑综合征病毒囊膜蛋白vp28基因序列[9]设计一对引物,通过PCR扩增出该囊膜蛋白的基因片段。将该片段连接到毕赤酵母表达载体pPICZ上,在大肠杆菌中筛选到含目的基因的重组质粒pPICZVP28,用电穿孔法将重组质粒转化到毕赤酵母菌株X33中,获得了转化子X33 …     

Characterization and application of monoclonal antibodies against white spot syndrome virus

Three hybridoma clones secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced from mouse myeloma and spleen cells immunized with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) isolated and purified from Penaeus monodon (Fabricius), collected from north-eastern Taiwan. By sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE), the protein profile of this isolate contained four major proteins with sizes of approximately 35 (VP35), 28 (VP28), 24 (VP24), and 19 kDa (VP19). Western blot analysis revealed that two MAbs (1D7 and 6E1) recognized epitopes on VP28 and one MAb (3E8) recognized an epitope on VP19. The MAb 6E1 isotyped to the IgG₁ class was used in both an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and in an immunochemical staining protocol for successful identification and localization of WSSV in infected shrimp tissues. Antigenic similarity of isolates from Indonesia and Malaysia to the Taiwan isolate was illustrated by IFA with MAb 6E1. A MAb (2F6) which bound specifically to two shrimp proteins, 75 and 72 kDa, and reacted to the healthy and non-target tissues of WSSV in infected shrimp, such as hepatopancreas, is also described here and shows the necessity for specific identification of antibodies.     

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.     

Enhancement and confirmation of white spot syndrome virus detection using monoclonal antibody specific to VP26

A portion of the VP26 gene (VP26F109) encoding a structural protein of white spot syndrome virus was expressed, purified by SDS‐PAGE and used for immunization of Swiss mice for monoclonal antibody (MAb) production. Three groups of MAbs specific to different epitopes on VP26 were selected; these MAbs can be used to detect natural WSSV infection in Penaeus vannamei using dot blotting, Western blotting or immunohistochemistry without cross‐reaction with other shrimp tissues or other common shrimp viruses. The detection sensitivity of the MAbs was ranged 7–14 fmole per spot of the rVP26F109 as determined using dot blotting. A combination of three MAbs specific to VP26 with MAbs specific to VP28, VP19 and ICP11 increased the detection sensitivity of WSSV during early infection. Therefore, the MAbs specific to VP26 could be used to confirm and to enhance the detection sensitivity for WSSV infection in shrimp with various types of antibody‐based assays.     

斑节对虾白斑综合症病毒部分基因组文库及核酸探针检测法

通过分离纯化白斑综合症病毒（ＷＳＳＶ）粒子,抽提病毒ＤＮＡ。用限制性内切酶ＥｃｏＲⅠ或ＳａｌⅠ酶切后,克隆入质粒ｐＢｌｕｅｓｃｒｉｐｔⅡＫＳ中,从而建立了ＷＳＳＶ部分基因组文库。估计ＷＳＳＶ基因组ＤＮＡ在１６５ｋｂ以上。将ＷＳＳＶ ＥｃｏＲⅠ克隆片段标记制备为探针。进行Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ杂交、打点杂交和原位杂交,其结果证明了克隆片段对ＷＳＳＶ特异,并为检测ＷＳＳＶ提供了方法。通过对部分基因组文库序列     

乳糖诱导对虾白斑病毒囊膜蛋白VP28基因在重组大肠杆菌中的表达

以含对虾白斑综合症病毒（white spot syndrome virus,WSSV）囊膜蛋白VP28编码基因质粒的重组大肠杆菌Escherichia coliB121作为研究对象,研究了乳糖或乳清粉代替IPTG作为诱导剂诱导重组囊膜蛋白VP28的表达。结果表明,乳糖不仅能够作为诱导剂诱导重组大肠杆菌进行外源蛋白的表达,而且能作为碳源促进菌体的生长。通过对诱导条件的优化,乳糖在发酵培养基的添加量为8g·L^-1,发酵时间为12h时可以获得最高的目的蛋白表达量,为97．36mg·L^-1。试验亦使用乳清粉作为发酵培养基的碳源和诱导工程菌表达的诱导剂。结果表明,在发酵培养基中添加乳清粉作为碳源和诱导剂,使其乳糖终浓度为10g·L^-1,发酵时问为13h时可以获得最高的目的蛋白表达量,为86．24mg·L^-1。     

The incidence of suspected white spot syndrome virus in semi‐intensive and extensive shrimp farms in Bangladesh: implications for management

The study was conducted to assess key factors influencing suspected white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) disease and associated shrimp production and economic performance in three contrasting black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) culture technologies promoted by the United States Agency for International Development funded Shrimp Quality Support Project (SQSP) in Bangladesh. A total of 350 traditional, 315 Modified Traditional Technology1 (MTT1), 36 MTT2 and 88 Closed System Technology (CST) farmers from 10 sub‐districts in three districts of Khulna division were surveyed following random sampling at the end of the project. Binomial probit regression analysis revealed that smaller newly constructed ponds (known locally as gher) were less susceptible to WSSV, provided aquatic weeds were controlled using chemicals. Removal of sludge from ghers also had a positive effect, irrespective of technology and location. It was also shown that stocking of screened shrimp postlarvae (PL) does not guarantee protection against WSSV (t = 1.39, P > 0.05). Higher shrimp production was obtained by farmers practicing CST, followed by those operating MTTs and traditional technology respectively. Farmers who adopted CST also gained higher profitability followed by those operating MTT1, MTT2 and traditional technology.     

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.     

Purification of white spot syndrome virus by iodixanol density gradient centrifugation

Up to now, only a few brief procedures for purifying white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) have been described. They were mainly based on sucrose, NaBr and CsCl density gradient centrifugation. This work describes for the first time the purification of WSSV through iodixanol density gradients, using virus isolated from infected tissues and haemolymph of Penaeus vannamei (Boone). The purification from tissues included a concentration step by centrifugation (2.5 h at 60 000  g ) onto a 50% iodixanol cushion and a purification step by centrifugation (3 h at 80 000  g ) through a discontinuous iodixanol gradient (phosphate‐buffered saline, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%). The purification from infected haemolymph enclosed a dialysis step with a membrane of 1 000 kDa (18 h) and a purification step through the earlier iodixanol gradient. The gradients were collected in fractions and analysed. The number of particles, infectivity titre (in vivo), total protein and viral protein content were evaluated. The purification from infected tissues gave WSSV suspensions with a very high infectivity and an acceptable purity, while virus purified from haemolymph had a high infectivity and a very high purity. Additionally, it was observed that WSSV has an unusually low buoyant density and that it is very sensitive to high external pressures.     

Quantitative analysis of an experimental white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in Penaeus monodon Fabricius using competitive polymerase chain reaction

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has been a major pathogen of cultured Penaeus monodon Fabricius in Malaysia since 1994. As quantitative study on the replication of WSSV is in its infancy, competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for quantitative study of an experimental WSSV infection per os in growout P. monodon . Gills, abdominal integument and abdominal muscle were selected for viral quantification. Infection was detectable as early as 14 h postinfection (h p.i.) in both gills and integument, but the infection in muscle was only detected at 24 h p.i. Gill tissue had the highest viral load, followed by integument and muscle. Typical viral growth curves were obtained for all organs with distinct phases of eclipse (0–24 h p.i.), logarithmic (24–48 h p.i.) and the plateau (48–120 h p.i.). Cumulative mortality rapidly increased from 48 h p.i. and reached 100% at the end of the plateau phase at 120 h p.i. Gross signs of white spots and reddish discoloration were also obvious in moribund individuals from the plateau phase. Based on the three phases of viral growth, WSSV infection was classified into light, moderate and heavy infection stages.     

Prokaryotic expression of a hub protein of white spot syndrome virus with vaccine potential

Envelope proteins of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) play an important role in viral entry as well as in triggering host defences. To date, some main envelope proteins such as VP28, VP24 and VP19 have been expressed heterologously and proved effective in WSSV prevention. However, VP62, an envelope protein with hub function as well as better antigenicity, has not been focused on. In an attempt to prepare this protein for rapid purification and further functional analysis, N‐terminus‐truncated VP62 was expressed in Escherichia coli using two common fusion tags, including hexahistidine (his6) and solubility‐enhancing tag thioredoxin (Trx). The results showed that the truncated VP62 fused with C‐terminal His‐tag could not be expressed in either E. coli BL21(Plyss) or Arctic Express, but it could be expressed in the form of inclusion bodies in Arctic Express with N‐terminal tag. After refolding and His‐tag affinity purification, the protein with purity over 90% was obtained. This study laid the foundation for evaluation of its vaccine potential as well as further application in WSSV prevention.     

Experimental infection of European crustaceans with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)

Eight European marine and freshwater crustaceans were experimentally infected with diluted shrimp haemolymph infected with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Clinical signs of infection and mortalities of the animals were routinely recorded. Diagnosis was by direct transmission electron microscopy (TEM), DNA hybridization (dot-blot and in situ hybridization) using WSSV probes and by PCR using WSSV specific primers. High mortality rates were noted between 7 to 21 days post-infection for Liocarcinus depurator , Liocarcinus puber , Cancer pagurus , Astacus leptodactylus , Orconectes limosus , Palaemon adspersus and Scyllarus arctus . Mortality reached 100%, 1 week post-infection in P. adspersus . When infection was successful, direct TEM observation of haemolymph revealed characteristic viral particles of WSSV, some observed as complete virions (enveloped), others as nucleocapsids associated with envelope debris. WSSV probes showed strong positive reactions in dot-blots and by in situ hybridization in sections and specific virus DNA fragments were amplified successfully with WSSV primers. White spot syndrome virus was pathogenic for the majority of the crustaceans tested. This underlines the epizootic potential of this virus in European crustaceans.     

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.     

白斑综合征病毒环介导等温扩增快速检测方法的建立

根据对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)囊膜蛋白VP28基因保守序列,利用Primer Explorerv 4.0软件设计了4条引物,建立了白斑综合征病毒环介导等温扩增快速检测方法,对反应温度和反应时间等参数进行了优化,同时将建立的LAMP检测方法与巢式PCR进行了比较分析。结果表明,LAMP最适反应在64℃恒温条件60min内完成,凝胶电泳呈现梯型条带;反应体系中添加SYBR Green I荧光染料后,绿色的阳性结果明显区别于橙色阴性结果。LAMP方法的最低检出限为100拷贝/μL,灵敏度较巢式PCR高100倍,而且LAMP方法在1h内即可完成检测,操作简单,无需复杂仪器,肉眼可直接观察检测结果。用建立的LAMP方法对临床发病南美白对虾样品进行了检测,结果表明,LAMP方法适合对虾白斑综合征病毒的现场快速检测。     

Protection of crayfish, Cambarus clarkii, from white spot syndrome virus by polyclonal antibodies against a viral envelope fusion protein

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a large double-stranded DNA virus, causing considerable mortality in penaeid shrimp and other crustaceans. WSSV produces five major structural proteins, including two major envelope proteins, VP28 and VP19. To produce VP28 and VP19 as a single protein for antibody production, DNA sequences encoding both open reading frames were fused together and cloned into pET-22b(+) expression vector. The fusion protein, VP(19+28), was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified using Ni2+ His affinity chromatography and injected into a rabbit. Antiserum collected from the immunized rabbit was tested in vivo for ability to protect crayfish, Cambarus clarkii, from disease caused by WSSV. Fifteen days after challenge with WSSV, treatment with VP(19+28) antiserum gave 100% protection against disease in the ambient temperature range of 15-22 degrees C and 65% protection at a constant temperature of 26 degrees C. These results demonstrated VP(19+28) antiserum is effective in protection of crayfish from WSSV and confirmed that VP19 and VP28 play an important role in WSSV host infection. Targeting both VP19 and VP28 may be effective for the design of both immunotherapeutic medicines and reagents to detect WSSV.     

Apoptosis does not play an important role in the resistance of 'immune' Penaeus japonicus against white spot syndrome virus

We previously demonstrated that kuruma shrimp, Penaeus japonicus, exposed to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) became resistant ('immune' shrimp) to subsequent challenge with the virus. The present study investigated the role of apoptosis in the 'immune' shrimp during a secondary challenge with WSSV. When naive kuruma shrimp were intramuscularly injected with WSSV at a high or low dose, apoptosis was often detected by TUNEL assay in the lymphoid organ (LO), mainly in the early stage of the infection. A significantly higher incidence of apoptosis was observed in the LO of the shrimp injected with the high dose of WSSV (cumulative mortality: 100%) than in the shrimp injected with the low dose (cumulative mortality: 0%). When 'immune' and naive shrimp were injected with an equal dose of WSSV, the incidence of apoptosis was significantly lower in the 'immune' shrimp than in the naive shrimp. This difference is assumed to result from a substantial reduction of the virus by humoral neutralizing factor in the 'immune' shrimp. These results suggest that apoptosis is not a principal protective factor in 'immune' shrimp.