Viral-like particles associated with cuticular epithelium necrosis in cultured Litopenaeus vannamei (Decapoda: Crustacea) in Ecuador

A new viral agent was found associated with the endoplasmic reticulum of epithelial cells of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) sampled during mass mortalities. A 40% mortality rate affected nursery and grow‐out ponds during the first 50–60 days of culture, and peak mortality in ponds occurred when shrimp reached 2–4 g. Histopathological changes of affected shrimp showed different grades of necrosis in epithelial cells and, in some cases, other tissues were affected. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of columnar cells of the cuticular epithelium showed the accumulation of viral particles, either dispersed in the cytoplasm or in a string‐like or paracrystalline array. These arrays of virions were within membrane‐bound vesicles formed from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), in orderly arrays on the outer nuclear membrane or along the ER. The virus particles had apparently proliferated in the ER. The virions had an opaque area with an approximate diameter of 20 nm and an electron‐lucent surface layer. The approximate diameter of the non‐enveloped virions was 25 nm. The cytological changes observed are similar to those associated with the Picornaviridae and Nodaviridae families. The histopathology and ultrastructure of a new disease in L. vannamei is associated with the presence of a putative new virus. Until further isolation and characterization is performed, it is recommended to refer to the agent as Litopenaeus vannamei viral‐like particles (LvVLPs).