Sequence independent immune effects of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) dsRNA complexed with phytoglycogen nanoparticles in freshwater crayfish.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a double stranded (ds)DNA virus, is a pathogen that causes massive mortalities in crustaceans worldwide. The present study focuses on using dsRNA to induce sequence-independent immune responses to control virus replication. DsRNA is a well characterized innate immune stimulant in vertebrates and effectively induces an antiviral state.

Immunostimulant effects of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide and double-stranded (ds)RNA in Orconectes propinquus.

Disease outbreaks in crustacean aquaculture caused by opportunistic and obligate pathogens cause severe economic losses to the industry. Antibiotics are frequently used as prophylactic treatments worldwide, although its overuse and misuse has led to microbial resistance, which has driven the search for novel molecules with immunostimulant and antibacterial activities. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) and double-stranded (ds)RNAs constitute promising immunostimulants in the fight against infectious diseases in aquaculture.