Exploring microalgae-based strategies for the management of white spot syndrome virus: a comprehensive review

Shrimp culture industries faced huge economic losses due to white spot disease (WSD) caused by the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Microalgae are unicellular and can be found in both freshwater and marine habitats. In recent days, microalgae such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Dunaliella salina, Synechocystis species, Synechococcus elongatus, Synechococcus species, and Anabaena species have been explored for treating WSSV using various protocols including transgenic algae, recombinant protein, and dsRNA. The development of dsRNA-expressing lines in C. reinhardtii has improved the efficiency of the new vectors p2xTRBL and pSS116, enabling the selection of transgenic cells without needing markers. Producing VP28 dsRNA to fight the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp has proven particularly advantageous. Due to the development of recombinant plasmids that express VP28 genes in microalgae, oral vaccinations against WSSV have proven highly effective and demonstrated great survival rates in shrimp. Moreover, Dunaliella salina transgenic strains have been modified to generate VP28 genes to shield crayfish from WSSV. Because of their antiviral qualities against WSSV, microalgae such as Synechococcus sp. and Anabaena sp. have also been used and may be useful in managing other aquatic viral infections. Through oral vaccination using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, these microalgae serve as a disease-control strategy in aquaculture, improving the financial standing and income of aquaculture farmers. All microalgae have antiviral properties and act against the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).