Developing immunological methods for detecting Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus and extra small virus using a...

Area of Science:

• Aquaculture
• Virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV) cause white tail disease (WTD) in M. rosenbergii.
• Accurate and sensitive detection methods are crucial for managing WTD outbreaks in aquaculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate specific polyclonal antibodies for the detection of MrNV and XSV.
• To assess the sensitivity and specificity of these antibodies for diagnosing WTD.

Main Methods:

• Gene sequences for MrNV and XSV capsid proteins were cloned into an expression vector.
• Recombinant GST-tagged fusion proteins were produced in E. coli.
• Polyclonal antibodies were generated and verified using Western blotting, immunodot blot assays, and immunohistochemistry.

Main Results:

• Specific polyclonal antibodies against MrNV and XSV were successfully generated.
• The antibodies demonstrated high detection sensitivity (approx. 5 ng μL⁻¹) for recombinant proteins and infected tissues.
• No cross-reactivity was observed with other relevant aquatic viruses, indicating high specificity.

Conclusions:

• The developed polyclonal antibodies are specific and sensitive tools for detecting MrNV and XSV.
• These antibodies can be valuable for confirming MrNV and XSV infections in field settings, aiding in WTD management.