Review Article
Alla D Reddy, Geevaretnam J
Abstract
Among the important challenges to shrimp aquaculture worldwide are diseases caused by viruses, in particular by White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) whose genome of 305 kb has been recently sequenced. WSSV, also dubbed White Spot Bacilliform Virus (WSBV), is a major shrimp pathogen with a high mortality rate and a wide host range. The sequencing and characterization of different strains of WSSV has begun to reveal aspects of its biology, virulence and pathogenesis. Knowledge on these aspects is critical for developing effective control methods. The socioeconomic impacts of the diseases caused by the WSSV have been catastrophic in some shrimp producing countries of Asia and the Americas. Thus, these diseases were listed by the World Animal Health Organization (or Office International des Epizootics, OIE) as posing a significant threat to cultured and wild crustaceans as a consequence of international trade or movement of infected organisms. The aim of this review is to present a state-of-the-art knowledge in different aspects of WSSV like morphogenesis, pathogenesis, transmission risks, detection, bio-inoculation studies, and international rules and standards.