We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of Microplastic Exposure against White Spot Syndrome Virus Infection in Pacific White Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested whether microplastic exposure worsens viral infections in Pacific white shrimp. The study found that shrimp exposed to both microplastics and white spot syndrome virus experienced 50% mortality, while those exposed to just the virus alone survived, suggesting that microplastic contamination may compromise the immune defenses of farmed shrimp.
Plastic waste has emerged as a major environmental concern in recent years. As plastic waste discharged into the marine environment, it undergoes a breakdown process, eventually accumulating in aquatic organisms in the form of microplastics (MPs). To date, reduced food intake, nutritional absorption, and impaired immune system are known adverse effects of MPs-exposed aquatic organisms. This study aims to investigate whether MP exposure accelerated white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) via laboratory tests. Briefly, experimental shrimp were divided into four groups; WSSV (group 1); MP (group 2); WSSV + MP (group 3); and Control (group 4). No mortality was observed in group 2, group 4, and even in group 1. However, group 3 showed a cumulative mortality of 50% during the experimental period. The PCR assay results showed no WSSV in the other three groups (groups 1, 2, and 4), but the dead and alive shrimp collected from group 3 were confirmed to be infected with the virus. Histopathological examination revealed normal structures in the hepatopancreas, gill, and muscle tissues of group 4, whereas numerous abnormally shaped nuclei were detected in the gill tissue of group 2. Moreover, group 1 showed minor WSSV-related lesions with few basophilic inclusion bodies in the gills, interestingly, group 3 exhibited severe lesions with numerous basophilic inclusion bodies in the gills. In conclusion, this study confirmed the correlation between the viral disease of shrimp and MPs, which can cause significant economic losses to the shrimp aquaculture industry.
More Papers Like This
Involvement of Microplastics in the Conflict Between Host Immunity Defense and Viral Virulence: Promoting the Susceptibility of Shrimp to WSSV Infection
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that PVC microplastics made shrimp significantly more vulnerable to white spot syndrome virus, a devastating disease in aquaculture, by suppressing their immune defenses. The microplastics interacted with the virus to prolong its survival and triggered changes in the shrimp's fat metabolism that weakened a key immune signaling pathway. This study demonstrates how microplastic pollution in coastal waters could increase disease outbreaks in seafood species, potentially affecting both food supply and food safety for humans.
Microplastics make shrimp more vulnerable to deadly disease
AI summary Read the abstract
Lab experiments showed that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics help white spot syndrome virus — a deadly shrimp pathogen — survive longer and replicate more efficiently in larval shrimp guts, suppressing the animals' antiviral immune defenses. This study demonstrates that microplastics can act as disease amplifiers in aquaculture species, with major implications for shrimp farming and coastal ecosystem health.
Insight into the immune and microbial response of the white-leg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei to microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed white-leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) to different concentrations of microplastics for 48 hours and measured immune and microbial responses. The study found that high microplastic concentrations significantly reduced survival rates, altered immune-related gene expression, and disrupted the gut microbial community, suggesting that microplastic pollution may compromise shrimp immune function.
Combined polyvinyl chloride microplastic exposure and Vibrio parahaemolyticus challenge are associated with hepatopancreatic injury and production losses in Pacific white shrimp
AI summary Read the abstract
Shrimp exposed to microplastic particles and a common bacterial pathogen together suffered more liver and gut damage, and died at much higher rates, than shrimp exposed to either alone. This suggests microplastic pollution in shrimp farms could worsen disease outbreaks, potentially affecting seafood supply and safety, though more testing is needed to confirm the particles involved and their exact role.
Sublethal effects of polyvinyl chloride microplastics on growth performance and survival of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed whiteleg shrimp to PVC microplastics over 45 days and found that even environmentally relevant concentrations reduced swimming, feeding, growth, and survival — with the highest exposure group showing only a 37% survival rate. The results highlight how microplastic pollution poses a direct threat to shrimp aquaculture productivity and food security.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.