Shrimp Microsporidian Parasite Enterocytozoon Hepatopenaei (EHP):Threat for Cultivated Penaeid Shrimp

We developed a qPCR assay based on the β-tubulin gene sequence for the shrimp microsporidian parasite Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). This assay reacted with the hepatopancreas (HP) of EHP-infected shrimps, and the highest copy numbers were found in HP and feces samples from Southeast Asian countries (106–108 copies mg−1), while HP samples from Latin America, Artemia, and EHP-contaminated water showed lower amounts (101–103 copies mg−1 or mL−1 of water). No false positive was found with the normal shrimp genome, live feeds, or other parasitic diseases. This tool will facilitate the management of EHP infection in shrimp farms.

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Experimental reproduction of White Feces Syndrome in whiteleg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0261289 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. e0261289

Author(s):

Luis Fernando Aranguren Caro ◽

Hung N. Mai ◽

Roberto Cruz-Florez ◽

Frances Laureen Agcalao Marcos ◽

Rod Russel R. Alenton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Quantitative Pcr ◽

Histological Analysis ◽

Penaeus Monodon ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Penaeid Shrimp ◽

Pond Water ◽

Experimental Reproduction ◽

Enterocytozoon Hepatopenaei

White Feces Syndrome (WFS) is an emergent disease of penaeid shrimp (Penaeus monodon and P. vannamei) that is identified by the presence of floating white fecal strings on pond water in grow-out ponds. Although the clinical manifestations of WFS are well defined, the underling etiology remains obscure. WFS has been associated with several enteric pathogens, including Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). The association is based on studies that found areas where WFS has been reported, the prevalence and severity of EHP infection are high. In this study, we describe an experimental reproduction of WFS in P. vannamei pre-infected with EHP and challenged with a unique isolate of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of a shrimp displaying WFS. Upon laboratory challenge, shrimp displaying white fecal strings and white discoloration of the gastrointestinal tract were analyzed by histopathology, in-situ hybridization and quantitative PCR. Histological analysis confirmed the lesions of EHP and septic hepatopancreatic necrosis in the hepatopancreas of shrimp exposed to both pathogens. Quantitative PCR showed shrimp infected with both EHP and V. parahaemolyticus had a significantly higher load of EHP compared to shrimp infected with EHP alone. This is the first demonstration of experimental reproduction of WFS under laboratory conditions when animals are infected with EHP and V. parahaemolyticus concurrently. The data revealed a synergistic relation between EHP and V. parahaemolyticus isolate that led to the manifestation of WFS. We propose the gross signs of WFS can be used as an indicator of the presence of EHP infection in association with a particular strain of an enteric Vibrio spp. in countries where EHP is endemic.

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Prevalence of shrimp microsporidian parasite Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei in Jiangsu Province, China

Aquaculture International ◽

10.1007/s10499-019-00358-6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 675-683 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hui Shen ◽

Yi Qiao ◽

Xihe Wan ◽

Ge Jiang ◽

Xianping Fan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Jiangsu Province ◽

Microsporidian Parasite ◽

Enterocytozoon Hepatopenaei

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Histopathology and Molecular Characterization of Microsporidian Parasites in Cultured Shrimp Penaeus Monodon Fabricius 1798 of Bangladesh

Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh Science ◽

10.3329/jasbs.v45i2.46592 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 187-196 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Md Munjur Hossain ◽

Nusrat Jahan Punom ◽

Md Mostavi Enan Eshik ◽

Mst Khadiza Begum ◽

Md Aminul Islam Bhuiyan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Penaeus Monodon ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Histological Section ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Microsporidian Parasite ◽

Specific Primers ◽

West Region ◽

Field Samples ◽

Enterocytozoon Hepatopenaei

Black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon Fabricius 1798) cultured in Bangladesh was investigated for the presence of microsporidian parasite. Histological section of hepatopancreas showed a large number of microsporidian spores under light microscopy. Spores under scanning electron microscope appeared oval shapes. Histology of infected shrimps showed severe degeneration of hepatopancreatic tubules. Early and late stage of microsporidian parasites in hepatopancreatic tubules were also observed. DNA extracted from the hepatopancreas of shrimps were subjected to PCR amplification using primers targeting microsporidian SSU rRNA gene. The PCR amplified an expected product of ~328 bp and the sequences showed 81 - 82% identity with the Paranucleospora theridion reported from western Norway in 2008. Further screening of field samples was carried out using EHP-specific primers. DNA extracted from ten hepatopancreas samples of P. monodon were tested and none found to be positive for EHP (Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei). This is the first report for the identification of microsporidian parasites in cultured shrimp along the south-west region of Bangladesh. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 45(2): 187-196, December 2019

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