Detection of new hosts for white spot syndrome virus of shrimp using nested polymerase chain reaction

The presence of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) of shrimp in various marin e crustaceans was studied by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), The inc idence of the virus in non-cultured crustaceans from shrimp farms was also studied. The results indicate that wild-caught asymptomatic marine shrimp s uch as Merapenaeus dobsoni, Parapenaeopsis stylifera, Solenocera indica and Squilla mantis carry WSSV. This virus could be detected in apparently heal thy marine crabs Charybdis annulata, C. cruciata, Macrophthalmus sulcatus, Gelasimus marionis nitidus and Metopograpsus messor. The virus could also b e detected in asymptomatic Macrobrachium rosenbergii cultured inland far aw ay from coast. Detection of carrier animals required two-step nested PCR, ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.