Evidences supporting Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei association with white feces syndrome in farmed Penaeus vannamei in Venezuela and Indonesia.

White feces syndrome (WFS) is an emerging and poorly described disease characterized by the presence of floating white fecal strings in shrimp (Penaeus monodon and P. vannamei) grow-out ponds. WFS has been associated with several pathogens, including Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei.

Quantification of (EHP) in Penaeid Shrimps from Southeast Asia and Latin America Using TaqMan Probe-Based Quantitative PCR.

We developed a qPCR assay based on the -tubulin gene sequence for the shrimp microsporidian parasite (EHP). This assay reacted with the hepatopancreas (HP) of EHP-infected shrimps, and the highest copy numbers were found in HP and feces samples from Southeast Asian countries (10-10 copies mg), while HP samples from Latin America, , and EHP-contaminated water showed lower amounts (10-10 copies mg or mL of water). No false positive was found with the normal shrimp genome, live feeds, or other parasitic diseases.

Novel infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) genotypes associated with disease outbreaks on Penaeus vannamei shrimp farms in Indonesia.

Infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) is one of the most pathogenic viruses that affect Penaeus vannamei shrimp. In 2018, IMNV was reported in grow-out ponds of P. vannamei in Situbondo, Indonesia.

Dense populations of the microsporidian Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) in feces of Penaeus vannamei exhibiting white feces syndrome and pathways of their transmission to healthy shrimp.

White feces syndrome (WFS) is an emerging problem for penaeid shrimp farming industries in SE Asia countries, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and in India. This occurrence of this syndrome is usually first evidenced by the appearance of white fecal strings floating on surface of the shrimp ponds. The gross signs of affected shrimp include the appearance of a whitish hindgut and loose carapace, and it is associated with reduced feeding and growth retardation.