Post 7: Taura Syndrome in American Shrimp Farming

Shrimp farming is occasionally reliant on capturing wild shrimp in a post-larvae stage for grow out or for broodstock prposes (Argue et al 2002). Unfortunately this stocking technique means potentially introducing diseased shrimp into a facility. One such virus that has caused billions of damge to shrimp stocks since the 1990's within the American region alone is a disease now known as Taura Syndrome in the Aparavirus genus (Lightner 2011).

Taura Syndrome emerged in 1992 in Ecuador and since then, certain species have shown great susceptibility-specifically the Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) where outbreaks have occuered throughout the entirity of the species life cycle (Lightner et al 1995). Diagnosis of the disease in a farm setting occurs generally after noticing significant mortalities of shrimp in ponds/the presence of birds feeding on deceased shrimp (Brock 1997). further visual diagnosis of Taura Syndrome are the presence of multifocal, melanized spots on the body and tail of those effected (Lightner at al 1995).

Taura Syndrome induced melanized spots

    
 No current cure for Taura Syndrome currently exists, however resistance to the virus has been discovered in individuals of L. vannamei, which are undergoing selective breeding to pass on this resistance to future stocks (Argue at al 2002).


References:

Argue, B. Arce, S. Lotz, J. Moss, S 2002, 'Selective Breeding of Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) for Growth and Resistance to Taura Syndrome Virus', 'Aquaculture', vol. 204, pp. 447-460

Brock, J 1997, 'Taura Syndrome, a Disease Important to Shrimp Farms in the Americas', '
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology', vol. 13, pp. 415-418


Lightner, D 2011, 'Virus Diseases of Farmed Shrimp in the Western Hemisphere (the Americas): A Review', 'Journal of Verterbrate Pathology', vol. 106, pp. 110-130

Lightner, D. Redman, R. Hasson, K. Pantoja, C 1995, 'Taura Syndrome in Penaeus vannamei (Crustacea: Decapoda): Gorss signs, Histopathology and Ultrastructure', 'Diseases of Aquatic Organisms', vol. 21, pp. 53-59