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.     

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.     

Pre-exposure to infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus or to inactivated white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) confers protection against WSSV in Penaeus vannamei (Boone) post-larvae

Larvae and post-larvae of Penaeus vannamei (Boone) were submitted to primary challenge with infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) or formalin-inactivated white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Survival rate and viral load were evaluated after secondary per os challenge with WSSV at post-larval stage 45 (PL45). Only shrimp treated with inactivated WSSV at PL35 or with IHHNV infection at nauplius 5, zoea 1 and PL22 were alive (4.7% and 4%, respectively) at 10 days post-infection (p.i.). Moreover, at 9 days p.i. there was 100% mortality in all remaining treatments, while there was 94% mortality in shrimp treated with inactivated WSSV at PL35 and 95% mortality in shrimp previously treated with IHHNV at N5, Z1 and PL22. Based on viral genome copy quantification by real-time PCR, surviving shrimp previously challenged with IHHNV at PL22 contained the lowest load of WSSV (0-1x10(3) copies microg-1 of DNA). In addition, surviving shrimp previously exposed to inactivated WSSV at PL35 also contained few WSSV (0-2x10(3) copies microg-1 of DNA). Consequently, pre-exposure to either IHHNV or inactivated WSSV resulted in slower WSSV replication and delayed mortality. This evidence suggests a protective role of IHHNV as an interfering virus, while protection obtained by inactivated WSSV might result from non-specific antiviral immune response.     

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。     

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.     

对虾白斑综合征病毒在螯虾动物模型的感染特性

应用克氏原螯虾作为动物模型研究对虾白斑综合征病毒（ＷＳＳＶ）的感染增殖特性，涉及感染温度，感染途径，继发感染，半数致死量（ＬＤ５０），免疫保护及保存期等，结果显示，２２－２５℃时，接种ＷＳＳＶ的螯虾一般于２－７d内死亡，温度升高对病毒增殖影响不显著，３０－３２℃时，平均死亡时间２－６d，温度降低对病毒增殖影响较显著，１５－１９℃时，接种螯虾平均２－１０d内死亡，８－１０℃时，平均死亡时间３－６d，感染途径分别用腹节肌肉，腹节皮下洲射及口服，均能使螯虾感染发病，而浸泡方式不能使螯虾发病，细菌分离和细菌定量结果表明，寄考于螯虾心脏，肝胰腺内的阴沟肠杆菌在感染后期大量增殖，菌量分别是正常螯虾的２５和３０倍，形成继发感染，用螯虾心脏，肝胰腺内的阴肠杆菌在感染后期大量增殖，菌量分别是政党螯虾的２５和３０倍，形成继发梁。用螯虾测定ＷＳＳＶ的ＬＤ５０为１０^-6.5.mL^-1种毒液，将病毒５６℃，３０min灭活后免疫螯虾，不能使螯虾形成免疫保护，ＷＳＳＶ匀浆液－３０℃冻存１年后失活，而－３０℃冻存于螯虾体内ＷＳＳＶ保存１年后仍有活力。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

A3α肽聚糖对凡纳对虾幼体生长及抗病毒感染力的影响

用含不同量的A3α肽聚糖(PG)(0.005%、0.01%、0.1%)的幼体饵料投喂凡纳对虾幼体,另在育苗水体中添加不同水平(0.005mg·mL-1、0.01mg·mL-1、0.05mg·mL-1)PG浸浴并以投喂不添加PG的幼体饵料的实验组作为对照,另设投喂活饵的实验组作参考,分别考察Z1-M1期、M1-PL1期、Z1-PL1期幼体的成活率,M1期、PL1期幼体体长,PL1期幼体体重,另外,PL1期仔虾经7d饲养后,检测体内酚氧化酶(PO)活性,并用白斑综合症病毒(WSSV)料投喂感染。结果显示:与投喂不添加PG幼体饵料组相比,在Z1-M1期,活饵组、0.01%PG添加量的幼体饵料组、0.005mg·mL-1PG的浸浴组幼体的成活率有极显著(P<0.01)提高,而在Z1-PL1、M1-PL1期,各实验组除0.05mg·mL-1浸浴组外均有极显著地(P<0.01)提高;各实验组除0.01mg·mL-1、0.05mg·mL-1PG浸浴组外,M1期幼体体长、PL1期幼体体重也有显著(P<0.01)增长,且各实验组PL1期幼体都有极显著(P<0.01)增长;各实验组仔虾PO活力均有极显著(P<0.01)提高;各实验组除0.1%PG添加量的幼体饵料组外,感染WSSV后仔虾的存活率有不同程度地提高。     

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.     

Larvae and early post-larvae of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) experimentally infected with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) show no significant mortality

The pathogenicity of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was tested with different developmental stages of Penaeus monodon, i.e. nauplius, protozoeae, mysis, early post-larvae (PL1-10), late post-larvae (PL11-20) and juveniles. WSSV challenge was done by immersion and oral routes. No disease occurred in the larvae and early post-larvae but they were positive for WSSV by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Significant mortality was observed in late post-larvae and juveniles and both single and nested PCR assays gave positive results with these samples. The results demonstrated that WSSV virulence in P. monodon increases with advancing stages of development and that WSSV infection does not result in disease for larvae and post-larvae younger than PL10.     

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.     

白斑综合症病毒（WSSV）对中国对虾卵及各期幼体人工感染的试验研究

用感染白斑综合症毒病的中国对虾头胸甲，对健康的仔虾进行了人工投喂感染实验，同时从病虾中分离出病毒悬液作为毒种，无节幼体，蚤体 幼体和糠虾体进行不同温度条件下的人工浸浴实验，结果表明，卵和无节幼体，蚤状幼体，糠虾幼对病毒悬液不敏感,闰理切片观察未见病毒粒子，光镜病理切片可观空到鳃上皮，前肠上皮有包涵体样病变，同时在肝胰组织中发现了肝胰腺细小病毒（HPV）包涵体。     

Lymphoid organ cell culture system from Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) as a platform for white spot syndrome virus and shrimp immune-related gene expression

Shrimp cell lines are yet to be reported and this restricts the prospects of investigating the associated viral pathogens, especially white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). In this context, development of primary cell cultures from lymphoid organs was standardized. Poly-l-lysine-coated culture vessels enhanced growth of lymphoid cells, while the application of vertebrate growth factors did not, except insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Susceptibility of the lymphoid cells to WSSV was confirmed by immunofluoresence assay using monoclonal antibody against the 28 kDa envelope protein of WSSV. Expression of viral and immune-related genes in WSSV-infected lymphoid cultures could be demonstrated by RT-PCR. This emphasizes the utility of lymphoid primary cell culture as a platform for research in virus-cell interaction, virus morphogenesis, up and downregulation of shrimp immune-related genes, and also for the discovery of novel drugs to combat WSSV in shrimp culture.     

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     

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.