An investigation of Artemia
as a possible vector for white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) transmission to Penaeus
indicus
A.S. Sahul Hameed, B.L.M. Murthi, M. Rasheed, S.
Sathish, K. Yoganandhan, V. Murugan, K. Jayaraman-2002
Aquaculture, 204(1-2): 1-10
Abstract:
The pathogenicity of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)
for different developmental stages of Artemia was carried out by
immersion challenge and oral route in order to investigate the possibility
of Artemia acting as a reservoir or carrier of WSSV to marine shrimp.
The WSSV failed to infect the developmental stages of Artemia; there
were no differences in mortality between control and challenged groups. The
PCR detection for WSSV revealed no positive results for Artemia
exposed to WSSV by immersion challenge and oral route. No mortalities were
observed in the juveniles of Penaeus indicus fed with Artemia
exposed to WSSV by immersion challenge and oral route, whereas 100%
mortality was observed in P. indicus fed with WSSV-infected shrimp
meat. The PCR analysis was WSSV-positive for P. indicus fed
WSSV-infected shrimp meat, whereas it was negative for P. indicus fed
Artemia exposed to WSSV. Histological studies agree with these
observations.
(Department of Zoology, Aquaculture Division, C.
Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam-632 509, Vellore Dist., Tamil Nadu, India,
e-mail: cah_sahul@hotmail.com)