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Polychaete worms--a vector for white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)
K K Vijayan1, V Stalin Raj, C P Balasubramanian
1Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA-ICAR), 75 Santhome High Road, Chennai-600 028, India. kkvijayan@hotmail.com
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms
|April 12, 2005
Summary
Polychaete worms can carry white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), transmitting it to tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) broodstock. This study highlights the risk of WSSV in shrimp hatcheries using polychaetes as feed.
Area of Science:
- Aquaculture
- Marine Biology
- Veterinary Science
Background:
- White spot disease, caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), is a significant threat to shrimp aquaculture.
- Polychaete worms are commonly used as live feed for shrimp broodstock in hatcheries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of polychaete worms as passive vectors of WSSV in Penaeus monodon broodstock.
- To determine the prevalence of WSSV in polychaete worms from commercial suppliers and natural environments.
Main Methods:
- Field surveys of polychaete worm populations (Marphysa spp.) from Tamil Nadu, India.
- 2-step PCR analysis to detect WSSV in polychaete worm samples.
- Laboratory challenge experiments infecting Penaeus monodon broodstock with WSSV-exposed polychaete worms.
Main Results:
- Fifty percent of commercially sourced polychaete worms tested positive for WSSV.
- WSSV prevalence in surveyed natural populations ranged from 16.7% to 75%, with higher contamination near shrimp farms.
- Laboratory experiments confirmed WSSV transmission to Penaeus monodon broodstock via consumption of contaminated polychaete worms.
Conclusions:
- Polychaete worms can act as passive vectors for WSSV transmission to Penaeus monodon broodstock.
- The study indicates a potential epizootiological role for polychaete worms in WSSV outbreaks.
- Hatchery practices involving live polychaete feed require careful WSSV screening.