Author(s): Janakiram P, GK Geetha, Sunil Kumar D and Jayasree L

Abstract:
Samples of cultured Litopenaeus vannamei showing symptoms of Abdominal Segment Deformity Disease (ASDD) and simultaneously infected by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) collected during the period 2013-2014 from culture ponds of Andhra Pradesh, India were subjected to histopathological, microbiological, molecular and Transmission Electron Microscopic (TEM) studies. Histopathological studies revealed changes such as excessive vacuolization in the gills, sloughing off epithelial layers in the gut, disintegration and lacunae formation in the muscle fibres, degeneration of hepatopancreatic tubules besides haemocytic infiltration into the inter tubular spaces. Spores of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) were found inside the B-cells of hepatopancreas. All the samples were found positive for EHP but IHHNV 50% only. Vibrio harveyi, V. alginolyticus and V. vulnificus were found as associated bacteria. TEM studies confirmed 20-25 nm virus like particles in gill and muscle tissue. This constitutes the first report from India for the mixed infection of ASDD and EHP in cultured L. vannamei.

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