White-spot syndrome virus diagnostics in frozen shrimp stocks imported to Mexico

Abstract

This article describes white-spot syndrome virus (WSSV) diagnostics in 50 shrimp frozen stocks imported to Mexico from the USA. Frozen stocks cover various shrimp species and have different origins. Routine histological techniques and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular analysis were used to document this disease. One frozen shrimp stock containing only Penaeus aztecus from the USA was detected as WSSV-positive using these non-conventional samples. Feasibility of frozen shrimp analysis is discussed since current viral detection is conducted in fresh shrimps before their marketing and/or re-importation. The role of frozen commodities in viral mobility and introduction into Mexico was also discussed. © 2009 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.