Penaeus chinensis nearing a critical threshold of susceptibility to Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1)

This study delves into the susceptibility of Chinese shrimp, Penaeus chinensis, to Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1), a pathogen of significant concern in crustacean aquaculture. Our research meticulously evaluated the infection potential of DIV1 through both invasive (intramuscular injection) and non-invasive (per os) experimental methodologies. The outcomes revealed that intramuscular injection effectively induced infection in P. chinensis, manifesting clinical signs and resulting in 100 % mortality within five days post-infection (dpi). In contrast, per os challenge resulted in a low viral load infection at 3 day post-infection (dpi), which did not persist beyond the 9 dpi, showing a late-stage clearance of iDIV1. These results were corroborated through molecular detection, histopathological examination, in situ DIG-labeling loop-mediated isothermal amplification (ISDL), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The study concludes that, while P. chinensis is not considered a susceptible host for DIV1, its susceptibility is nearing a critical threshold. These findings underscore the imperative for continuous virus surveillance and research into host susceptibility to preempt potential economic repercussions for the aquaculture industry.