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Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) survive white spot syndrome virus infection by behavioral fever
Rakhshaninejad, M.; Zheng, L.; Nauwynck, H.J. (2023). Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) survive white spot syndrome virus infection by behavioral fever. NPG Scientific Reports 13(1): 18034. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45335-5
In: Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group). Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2045-2322; e-ISSN 2045-2322, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Rakhshaninejad, M., more
  • Zheng, L., more
  • Nauwynck, H.J., more

Abstract
    Both endotherms and ectotherms may raise their body temperature to limit pathogen infection. Endotherms do this by increasing their basal metabolism; this is called ‘fever’. Ectotherms do this by migrating to warmer places; this is called ‘behavioral fever’. White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is the most lethal pathogen of cultured shrimp. This study examined the existence of behavioral fever in WSSV-infected Penaeus vannamei shrimp. Shrimp weighing 15 ± 0.5 g were inoculated intramuscularly with WSSV and kept in a four-compartment system (4-CS) with all the chambers at 27 °C or with a thermal gradient (27–29–31–33 °C). During the first 4 days post-inoculation, 94% of the WSSV-inoculated shrimp died in the 4-CS with a fixed temperature (27 °C), while only 28% died in the 4-CS with a temperature gradient. The inoculated animals clearly demonstrated a movement towards the warmer compartments, whereas this was not the case with the mock- and non-inoculated animals. With primary lymphoid organ cell cultures, it was demonstrated that the increase of temperature from 27–29 °C to 31–33 °C inhibits virus replication. It is concluded that behavioral fever is used by shrimp to elevate their temperature when infected with WSSV. Behavioral fever prevents WSSV infection and mortality.

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