The objective of this work was to evaluate the specific antiviral protection via RNA interference (RNAi) against the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in marine shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Shrimp were injected with a dsRNA specific sequence (vp28 from the viral envelope), followed by challenge, with WSSV after 48 hours. The hemogram was evaluated at 0, 3, 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after challenge and the mortality rate during 30 days. In animals treated with vp28 dsRNA the viral infection was limited, and survival (73%) and viral clearance (80%) were higher than in infected, not treated shrimp, which showed 100% mortality within five days. In shrimp treated with dsRNA, the hemogram decreased until 6 hours after viral challenge, followed by an increase, reaching normal levels at 72 hours. The treatment with vp28 dsRNA limits WSSV infection in shrimp, restores their immune conditions, and promotes viral clearance in most survivors. These results indicate that vp28 dsRNA can serve as a molecular tool for combating WSSV, and that RNAi represents a promising approach for the control of viral diseases in cultured shrimp.
Litopenaeus vannamei; antiviral responses; total hemocytes; crustacean immunology; white spot virus
