We have developed a method for detection of penaeid rod-shaped DNA vir
us (PRDV, formerly RV-PJ), the causative agent of penaeid acute viremi
a (PAV) of kuruma shrimp, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two pair
s of PCR primers (P1/P2 and P3/P4) were prepared, based on the nucleot
ide sequence of the PRDV genome. PCR using either P1/P2 or P3/P4 speci
fically amplified PRDV DNA. When PCR products amplified with P1/P2 wer
e subjected to nested PCR with P3/P4, a higher sensitivity was seen th
an with PCR using P1/P2 or P3/P4 alone. The nested PCR was capable of
detecting PRDV from a symptomatic kuruma shrimp that had been experime
ntally infected with low doses of PRDV, excretions from experimentally
infected kuruma shrimp, and other crustaceans in a culture pond where
spontaneous PAV occurred.