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. This tool will facilitate the management of EHP infection in shrimp farms.