All Diseases

Taura Syndrome Virus

Taura Syndrome is a shrimp disease caused by the Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV). This virus infection occurs 14-40 days after stocking and transmits through cannibalism among shrimp. The shell of shrimp infected with this virus softens and their digestive tract is empty. These physical signs often develop near the end of the molting process.

Indication of Disease

Name

Taura Syndrome Virus

Clinical signs

This disease typically infects shrimp in the juvenile phase when they weigh around 0.15-5 grams or in DoC of 1-45 days. TSV-infected shrimp will become weak and disoriented. The entire surface of the body is reddish, particularly the tail fan. There are also black spots on the body parts that have changed color. Furthermore, the shell softens, the digestive tract is empty, and the shrimp may die if the condition is severe.

Method of diagnosis

Morphology, histopathology, and RT-PCR diagnostics using the sample of shrimp’s hemolymph, pleopod, and gills.

contoh-udang-yang-terkena-tsv.jpg TSV-infected shrimp

Pathogen

Name

Taura Syndrome Virus

Pathogen type

Virus

Synonyms

No data.

Characteristics

This virus belongs to the picornavirus group with a diameter of 30-32 nm. There are indications that TSV causes health problems in densely populated aquatic animal production environments.

Pathogen Effect

Toxicity

This virus commonly infects shrimp between the ages of 14 and 40 days of cultivation. In shrimp infected with this disease, particularly those in the post-larva and juvenile stages, the mortality rate rises to 80-95%. Shrimp that survive death from TSV will carry the virus until they become adult shrimp and it is difficult for them to get this disease again.

Predispositional factors

Improperly managed environment and water quality may trigger the emergence of this virus.

Transmission

TSV may spread through water and direct contact with shrimp. Furthermore, several types of crustaceans, aquatic insects, and seabirds are indicated to be carriers of this virus.

Epidemiology

The virus made its first appearance in Taura River, Ecuador in 1997. The majority of cases have been found in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, as well as Texas, Florida, and Hawaii in the United States.

Host or vector

The virus may spread if the quality control of imported shrimp fry is not verified. If the fry are not certified, their susceptibility to disease is greater. Several types of farmed shrimp may be hosts of this virus, including Litopenaeus vannamei, Litopenaeus stylirostris, and Penaeus monodon. Meanwhile, potential vectors that carry this virus include invertebrates, shrimp-eating birds, and aquatic insects.

Infectious dose

The low dose is 0.05 ml and the high dose is 0.15 ml (some clinical symptoms start to appear).

Incubation period

Typically around 4-8 days since initial infection until death.

Stability and Viability

Susceptibility to drugs

Not found.

Susceptibility to disinfectants/probiotics

Not found.

Physical inactivation

Not found.

Handling and Prevention

Early warning

Observe shrimp’s physical form or morphology. The presence of black spots on the body and a redder tail fan indicates that the shrimp is infected with TSV disease.

Prevention

This disease can be prevented by selecting shrimp fry in the Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) or Specific Pathogen Resistant (SPR) categories, managing environmental quality properly since the transmission of TSV is always triggered by declining farm environmental quality, conducting proper pond preparation, preparing water for cultivation including growing natural feed, conducting proper water and feed management during cultivation, and removing sick and dead shrimp from the pond to prevent the transmission of disease through cannibalism.

Treatment

Harvest shrimp as soon as possible before any case of mortality occurs.

Eradication

To minimize the transmission of TSV, environmental and water quality management can be conducted by controlling the following parameters:

  • Physical parameters: pH, DO, salinity, temperature, color, odor, TSS, and DHL.
  • Chemical parameters: TAN, total Fe, hardness, COD, BOD, and total alkali.
  • Biological parameters: TBC and TVC.

Regulation and Other Information

There is no further information. However, a research by Wilisiani, et al. (2013) found that vannamei shrimp is more susceptible to TSV infection in low dosage compared to giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii).

References

FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 402/2.

Ganjoor, M. 2015. A Short Review on Infectious Viruses in Cultural Shrimps (Penaeidae Family). Journal of Fisheries Science. 9 (3): 9-33.

Genics Pty Ltd. 2023. Genics Education Series: Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV).

Lightner, D.V. and R.M. Redman. 1998. Strategies for the Control of Viral Disease of Shrimp in the Americas. Fish Pathology. 33 (4): 165-180.

Lotz, J.M. 1997. Special Topic Review: Viruses, Biosecurity and Specific Pathogen-free Stocks in Shrimp Aquaculture. World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology. 13: 406-413.

Rodriguez, S.A.S., B. Gomez-Gil, and A. Roque. 2009. Shrimp Disease and Molecular Diagnostic Methods.

Surfianti. O., N.C. Prihartini, M. Fathoni, E.R. Ekoputri, Laminem, R.Wilis, E.Pujiastuti, Sokhib dan A.D. Koswara. 2010. Deteksi Penyakit TSV( Taura Syndrome Virus) secara PCR pada Udang Vanamei (Litopenaeus vannamei) dengan berbagai Ekstraksi Suhu dan Waktu Penyimpanan. Indonesian Journal of Veterinary Science & Medicine. Volume II Nomor 1 : 15-24.

Taura Syndrome Virus of Penaeid Shirmp, Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Wilisiani. F., N. Rohmah, I. N. Rahmawati, N. Wijayanti. 2013. Deteksi Molekuler Infeksi Taura Syndrome Virus Pada Udang Vanamei (Litopenaeus vannamei) dan Udang Galah (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). Jurnal Sain Veteriner. 31(2) : 243-250.