title: Virulence variation of white spot syndrome virus in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.
abstract: The virulence of seven geographic isolates of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV; genus Whispovirus; China [strain CH1995], Nicaragua [strain N2000], Honduras [strain H2000], Ecuador [strains E-L1999 and E-LT2002], and Mexico [strains M-M2001 and M-LP2001]) was compared using a series of challenge experiments, each lasting 10 d. For each isolate, four quantified dilutions (10(-6), 10(7), 10(-8), and 10(-9)) of a viral inoculum were prepared from WSSV-infected shrimp tissue. Each viral inoculum was injected into 10 specific pathogen-free juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (0.25-1.50 g); controls received injections of marine crustacean physiological saline (3.2%). The minimum dose of viral inoculum that killed 50% of injected shrimp (LD50) was calculated for dilution, tissue concentration, and viral DNA amount. The CH1995 and M-M2001 isolates were the least virulent, with LD50 values of 10(-6) to 10(-7) of viral inoculum. The isolates could be grouped into three virulence clusters (CH1995 and M-M2001; N2000 and E-LT2002; and H2000, E-L1999, and M-LP2001). Virulence clusters were not altered by LD50 values based on viral DNA concentration, although a slight shifting of order in regards to virulence was seen among the three most virulent isolates (E-L1999, H2000, and M-LP2001). Overall, results indicate that there is a measurable virulence difference among WSSV isolates, which may correspond to geographical region.
authors.affiliation: Center for Aquaculture and Stock Enhancement, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida 34946, USA. slaramo1@hboi.fau.edu
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Laramore
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scarpa
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Laramore
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D033561:Penaeidae; D014774:Virulence; D046848:White spot syndrome virus 1 / Q000145:classification / Q000472:pathogenicity*